Breastfeeding Thrush (Yeast Infection)
November 24th, 2011
Breastfeeding and yeast infection is something that occurs in every twenty percent of nursing mothers. They can create exceeding discomfort and make it discouraging for mothers to feed their babies. It is usually found in the vagina, mouth and stool of most persons.
What To Look For
In other to tackle it, you must educate yourself on what they are, and how to win the fight against them. A fungus called Candida Albicans is the culprit when you are dealing with this illness. It is not unusual to find this in the body, but when you have a hand full of them in the body then you risk serious health issues.
This type of infection in nursing babies is also known as thrush. About ninety percent of newborns that are in good health develop this accumulated yeast just within hours of birth. Sometimes it may overgrow and cause diaper rash, oral thrush or the nipple of the nursing mother may become infected.
Sometimes it can be difficult to ascertain and pinpoint the root of this disease in a baby. Many come into first contact with it as they travel through the birth canal to the vagina. Some mothers may have a vaginal yeast infection during pregnancy without knowing it.
Another major cause is antibiotics given to either mother or child immediately after birth. Antibiotics destroy good bacteria that are supposed to ward off yeast. Yeast enjoys a cozy, wet and warm environment and that is exactly what the nipple is. When this happens, the nipple becomes a perfect hiding place for it and the circle continues.
Likely symptoms
This ailment is horrible, but not so bad to an otherwise healthy mother and child. It may show different signs in different people, but the likely ones are breast and nipple pain which makes breastfeeding distasteful.
The nipple may also be burning and itchy, likewise the vagina. This may also mean that another disease is responsible for this, because yeast is not the only disease with these symptoms. Always talk to a doctor when having health issues.
Babies with thrush show white patches in their mouth. The tongue may have a white coating but you need to verify that this is thrush, as residue milk can also make the tongue white.
Babies with thrush may be cranky as they are experiencing difficulty nursing or, because of the diapers rash they have that is itchy, painful and bringing discomfort.
Cure And Treatment
If you notice any of the symptoms above, talk to a doctor. Treatment is usually administered together to avoid both party transferring it and starting the circle over again.
There are some medicines that are not good for breastfeeding women, so self medicating can be costly. A health practitioner will prescribe the needed drugs for both patients in the same time frame to increase the chances of getting rid of it.
See a doctor if you ever have breastfeeding and yeast infection, because things can easily get out of hand. Take all prescribed medicine then mother and child will feel better in no time.
Contracting the misery of a yeast infection during pregnancy is not an enjoyable episode for a female. Understanding more about the yeast infection causes can help to fight the effects.
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