Yeast Infections Of Nursing Moms

If your baby has thrush, you may get cracked nipples and shooting pains in the breast during or after a feeding. Thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth . It happens when yeast normally found in the body grows out of control.

Sometimes Moms and babies will pass the thrush back and forth. Your baby may have a yeast infection and give it to you.  Or you can get thrush on your nipples if you took antibiotics and got a yeast infection. Or just the warm moist conditions of a nursing Mom's bra can lead to a yeast infection. If the nipples are painful you will want to contact your healthcare provider.  Frequently yeast infections resolve on their own. But if your child is not breastfeeding or you have painful nipples then call your healthcare provider.

Yeast infections are only one of many causes of sore or cracked nipples. If your nipples bleed or crack, try the following:

• Reposition your baby. You want to have your baby facing your nipple so he or she has both the nipple and the area around the nipple (areola) in his or her mouth. You want your nipple inside your baby's mouth. This way your baby's gums won't chomp down on your sensitive nipple.
• Try nursing for shorter time periods, but more often. Spread the time periods out means your baby will nurse harder as he or she will be very hungry.
• After you finish breast feeding rub a little breast milk on your nipples and let them air dry.
• Avoid using perfumed soaps or lotions on your nipples. Clear warm water is enough to keep your breasts and nipples clean
• If you and your baby are swapping yeast infections use pads and change them frequently.  Wash in hot water.

Thanks to Jacqueline Clarke for sharing the photo of her baby