What does breastfeeding thrush look like?

Understanding Breastfeeding Thrush
Breastfeeding thrush, a common yet often distressing condition, manifests as a yeast infection that can affect both mothers and their infants. This condition is primarily caused by an overgrowth of Candida, a type of fungus that naturally resides in the body but can proliferate under certain conditions, particularly during breastfeeding.
Symptoms in Mothers
For breastfeeding mothers, thrush typically presents with intense nipple pain that may occur during or after feeding. This pain can be described as a sharp, burning sensation, and it often persists even when the baby is not nursing. Visually, the nipples may appear shiny or red, and some women report the presence of cracked or damaged skin around the nipple area. In severe cases, the skin may peel or develop a rash, leading to further discomfort and difficulty in breastfeeding.
Symptoms in Infants
Infants can also exhibit signs of thrush, which may include white patches on the inside of their mouths, particularly on the tongue and cheeks. These patches can resemble milk residue but do not wipe away easily. Babies suffering from thrush may become fussy during feedings, frequently pulling away from the breast or refusing to feed altogether due to discomfort. This can lead to a cycle of feeding difficulties, as the baby’s fussiness can exacerbate the mother’s pain, making breastfeeding a challenging experience.
Transmission and Treatment
Thrush is highly contagious and can easily be transmitted between mother and baby. If a mother has thrush, it is crucial to treat both parties simultaneously to prevent reinfection. Treatment typically involves antifungal medications, which can be prescribed for both the mother and the infant. Despite the discomfort, it is generally safe to continue breastfeeding while undergoing treatment.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding thrush is a painful condition that can significantly impact the breastfeeding experience for both mothers and infants. Recognizing the symptoms early and seeking appropriate treatment is essential for alleviating discomfort and ensuring a successful breastfeeding journey. If you suspect you or your baby may have thrush, consulting a healthcare professional is advisable to receive the necessary care and support.

What will happen if thrush is left untreated?

In some cases, the symptoms of oral thrush can make eating and drinking difficult. If left untreated, the symptoms will often persist and your mouth will continue to feel uncomfortable. In severe cases that are left untreated, there is also a risk of the infection spreading further into your body, which can be serious.

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.

How do I know if I have thrush while breastfeeding?

Symptoms. The most common symptom is nipple pain or breast pain, or both. Nipple thrush pain is often described as burning, itching, or stinging and may be mild to severe. The pain is usually ongoing and doesn’t go away with improved positioning and attachment of your baby to the breast.

What is commonly misdiagnosed as thrush?

Several conditions can mimic oral thrush. These include: frictional keratosis: a persistent, usually isolated, low-grade irritation of the oral mucosa. hairy leukoplakia of the tongue: commonly seen in HIV patients.

Can you save breastmilk when you have thrush?

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.

Will breast thrush go away by itself?

Thrush is a yeast infection that can lead to very damaged, cracked, and painful nipples, a nursing strike, or early weaning and it needs treatment to clear up. While you can take care of some breastfeeding issues on your own, this isn’t one of them.

What can be mistaken for breast thrush?

Sometimes, nipple thrush pain is quite similar to other health issues – some of the most popular issues that get mistaken as a yeast infection are:

• Vasospasm/Raynaud’s Phenomenon.
• Micro-fissures due to suboptimal attachment.
• Tongue tie in baby.
• Nipple eczema.
• Bacterial infection (staphylococcus aureus possibly).

What is the fastest way to treat thrush on nipples?

Medications for the nursing parent:
The most effective treatment for topical thrush is Miconazole (Daktarin) cream (2%), which should be applied to the nipple in small amounts after every feed. In mild cases, expect improvement within a couple of days. In more severe cases, it may take 3 to 5 days or longer.

Is it thrush or just sore nipples?

Signs of thrush in breastfeeding women
You may have a thrush infection in your breasts if: you start to feel pain in both nipples or breasts after feeds, having previously had no pain after feeding. the pain can range from sore to severe and lasts for up to an hour after every feed.

How to tell the difference between thrush and milk tongue?

It can be challenging to distinguish between the two. To tell the difference, a parent or caregiver can try gently wiping the white film off the newborn’s tongue using a warm, damp cloth. If the white coating wipes away, it is likely milk residue.