Can thrush be passed through expressed breast milk?

Understanding Thrush and Its Transmission Through Breast Milk
Thrush, a condition caused by an overgrowth of the fungus *Candida albicans*, is commonly seen in infants and can lead to discomfort and complications if not addressed promptly. One question that often arises among breastfeeding mothers is whether thrush can be transmitted through expressed breast milk.
The Nature of Thrush
Thrush typically manifests as white patches in the mouth or throat of an affected individual. In infants, these patches can lead to difficulty feeding, irritability, and a tendency to refuse the breast or bottle. For nursing mothers, a yeast infection can cause painful nipples and may also lead to a vicious cycle of infection between mother and child.
Transmission Through Breast Milk
The primary concern regarding thrush and breastfeeding is the potential for transmission. While *Candida* is a naturally occurring organism in the human body, an overgrowth can lead to thrush. Expressed breast milk itself is not a vector for transmitting thrush. The yeast does not thrive in breast milk, and the milk’s nutritional properties do not support its growth. However, if a mother has a thrush infection, it is crucial to consider the following points:
1. Direct Contact: Thrush can be transmitted through direct contact between the mother and infant. If the mother has thrush on her nipples or in her breast tissue, the infant can contract the fungus during breastfeeding or through skin-to-skin contact.
2. Contaminated Surfaces: If expressed milk is stored improperly or if feeding equipment is not sanitized effectively, there is a risk of contamination. While the *Candida* fungus present in the milk is not likely to cause thrush, unsanitary conditions can foster an environment where the yeast could proliferate.
3. Infant’s Immune System: Infants have developing immune systems, which may not efficiently combat a *Candida* overgrowth. Thus, if a mother is experiencing thrush, it is advisable to seek treatment promptly to mitigate the risk of the infant developing thrush.
Preventive Measures
To ensure a healthy breastfeeding experience and minimize the risk of thrush transmission, mothers can take several preventive measures:
– Maintain Good Hygiene: Wash hands before handling breast milk and ensure that all pumping equipment is thoroughly cleaned and sterilized.
– Monitor for Symptoms: Both mother and infant should be vigilant for signs of thrush, such as white patches in the mouth for the baby or nipple pain for the mother.
– Seek Prompt Treatment: If thrush is suspected, both mother and infant should receive appropriate antifungal treatment to prevent further complications and transmission.
Conclusion
In summary, while expressed breast milk does not transmit thrush, the condition can spread through direct contact between mother and child or through inadequate hygiene practices. Awareness, vigilance, and proper treatment are essential for both mothers and infants to maintain a healthy breastfeeding relationship and address any complications that may arise from thrush. If there are concerns about thrush, consulting a healthcare provider is critical for effective management and support.

Can you pass an infection through breast milk?

Breast milk can occasionally transmit serious viral and bacterial infections to preterm infants. We present three cases of late-onset neonatal sepsis, including one that resulted in death, occurring in preterm infants. The likely source of the microorganisms in all three cases was expressed breast milk.

What kills thrush on nipples?

Breast or nipple thrush is treated with antifungal tablets and creams. You also need to treat thrush in your baby and any other fungal infection in you or your family members. Thrush in your baby’s mouth is treated using an oral gel or drops.

Why does my breastfed baby keep getting oral thrush?

It can also affect babies if they have been recently treated with antibiotics. If you have been breastfeeding and have recently had antibiotics, then your own healthy bacteria can be affected making you more at risk of thrush infection. This infection can then be passed on to your baby during breastfeeding.

How to tell if it’s thrush or milk tongue?

After washing and drying your hands, dampen a clean piece of gauze with lukewarm water. Wrap it around your finger and gently wipe your child’s tongue. If the residue comes off easily, your child likely has milk tongue and not thrush.

Can you express if you have thrush?

If you are worried about using expressed/stored milk during a yeast infection, you can either use it while you and your baby are being treated for thrush, or you can warm the milk to 63C for 30 minutes to kill bacteria and yeast, before cooling and offering.

What illnesses should you not breastfeed?

When Should I Not Breastfeed My Baby?

• If the mother has been infected with HIV or has AIDS.
• Many medications taken by the mother may pass onto the baby via breast milk.
• Mothers with cancer who are taking cancer chemotherapy medications also cannot breastfeed their babies.

Can you pass thrush through pumped milk?

Breast Milk
While you and baby are being treated for yeast, your refrigerated, fresh, or milk frozen during thrush treatment can be used safely for baby. Freezing deactivates yeast, but does not kill it, so label all milk pumped and frozen during a thrush outbreak.

What can be mistaken for thrush?

5 vaginal infections that aren’t thrush (but look or feel like it)

• Herpes. Herpes, a common and extremely contagious STI, causes painful sores on the genitals.
• Trichomoniasis.
• Bacterial vaginosis (BV)
• A sensitivity or allergic reaction.
• Gonorrhoea.
• Whatever your suspicions, get your symptoms checked out.

How do you clean your nipples to prevent thrush?

Strategies to keep your nipples and breasts dry include: Wash and towel dry. Rinsing your skin and drying the area around and under your breasts after sweating or after breastfeeding the baby may help reduce nipple thrush symptoms or prevent its return.

What bacteria can be passed through breast milk?

Infections can appear in breast milk in many ways. These routes to infection include the contamination of the milk after it leaves the breast, or by damaged cells or fluid in the breast milk itself. When breast milk becomes infected, Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus are the most common bacteria found.