Dealing with Thrush - Symptoms

This is part 1. Also see part 2 and part 3.

I want to write a comprehensive post about my ongoing struggle with thrust/yeast/candida/whatever-you-want-to-call it. I had better make it a multi-part post or it will take forever.


I'm going to try a FAQ format.

What are the other names for thrush?
Yeast, candida overgrowth, etc.

What is thrush?
An overgrowth of candida albicans. Candida exists normally in our bodies, but causes problems when it takes over the healthy stuff in our guts. (Yeah, real technical discussion, I know. I'm definitely not a doctor, just a mom.) Candida loves moist, warm environments. So if you're a nursing mom, especially if you have any nipple trauma (scratches, abrasions, etc.) you're more likely to develop thrush.

For some people, overgrowth of candida causes vaginal yeast infections. For others, they don't notice anything. For a nursing mom, thrush can cause terrible nipple pain. For the nursing baby, thrush can make the tongue appear white and white patches in the mouth.


What does thrush feel like?
Every mom I've talked to about thrush has different symptoms. Some mom's have symptoms but no pain. (I wish!)

Here are my symptoms:

• Pain when baby latches. As it progresses, there is pain when latching, during nursing and after nursing.
• In between nursing sessions, deep burning pain in breast, like knives stabbing.
• Nipples and aureoles bright red
• Nipples and aureoles have flaking skin
• Vaginal itching (occasional)
• This may be the effect of chronic pain, but I get more irritable, down (depressed), and generally feel like I'm functioning in a fog.

Baby's symptoms:

• My babies have never shown traditional symptoms. They do not have the typical white-coated tongue and white patches in their mouth.
• Both babies get a diaper rash. Not a typical rash, in my opinion. The skin around the anus gets very red and irritated. No bumps, skin in smooth, just red.
• Pepperette gets fussy when the thrush is bad. I don't know if she's physically uncomfortable or it's because my pain is inhibiting the milk flow.

RED FLAG: if breastfeeding has been going well up to now, and you have sudden onset of symptoms, get help!

What should I avoid in order to minimize my chances of developing thrush? / What are some of the triggers for developing thrush?
These things may increase you chances of developing thrush:

• If you take antibiotics, especially if you are treated for being group b strep positive (GBS+) during/after labour
• DON'T take an iron supplement. After LC was born, I took Floravit, a natural iron supplement to help with my chronic (mild) anemia. Turns out that extra iron provides a lovely environment for yeast growth. Try to get your iron from food sources (red meat, dark green veggies).
• If you have any trauma to your nipples - scratches, cracks, dryness - watch for onset of symptoms. Treat aggressively right away. Don't suffer and hope it will go away.
• DON'T use lanolin (i.e. Lansinoh). For a variety of reasons, it can promote yeast overgrowth.

(Updated to fix formatting. Stupid template.)