Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family: "Using distilled vinegar (heat treated to remove mold spores) and water solution to add to baths, final rinses of washing machines and directly on affected or at risk skin can also be effective. The resulting pH change makes it less congenial to yeast. "

Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family: "Anything that comes in contact with the mother's breasts, the baby's bottom or other affected areas on the baby, mother and other family members should be washed or disinfected daily. This includes breast shells, breast pads, bras, drip- catching cloths, pump parts, teats (nipples), pacifiers (soothers, dummies), teethers, toothbrushes, toys, clothing, underwear and diapers. Yeast can live on towels and washcloths so they should be used once and then washed in very hot water and dried in the sun if possible. Some families have found that during a yeast outbreak using paper rather than cloth napkins, towels and breast pads is helpful as well as using disposable utensils and cups. "

Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family: "Freezing does not kill yeast. Prudence suggests that milk expressed at this time should not be stored for feeding after the yeast infection has cleared. "

Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family: "Babies who have a yeast diaper rash should be washed gently and thoroughly rinsed with each diaper change. "

Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family: " Even if only the mother or baby shows symptoms of yeast, it is vital that both be treated. "

Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family: "Nystatin oral suspension is often the first medication a physician will try for treating an infant with thrush or oral yeast. Nystatin oral suspension must come in contact with the yeast organism to kill it. When treating a baby's mouth, first pour the medication into a small cup, dip a cotton swab in it and paint the baby's mouth - the whole mouth, every nook and cranny. Each time more medication is needed, use a clean swab. Do not dip the swab into the medication bottle itself. "

Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family: "Most sources agree that topical yeast treatments should continue for ten days to two weeks after the last of the symptoms disappear to prevent a reoccurrence. "

Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family: "Boiling or disinfecting these [nipples, pacifiers, teethers] daily during an outbreak and replacing them often will assist in limiting the spread of the organism. "

Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family: "If a family has a yeast infection, a non-antibacterial soap may be a better choice. "

Thrush

"It's the mildest case I've ever seen", said my doctor, when he was finally able to see the white patches hiding in DS2's mouth. His tongue depressor had been hiding them. There is one patch about the size of a pencil eraser on each cheek, very close to DS2's lips. He also has a red area and white spots between his right thumb and forefinger. (He sucks this right thumb much more than his left.) I'm glad that daycare caught it so early.

We got a Rx for Nystatin oral for DS2, and I got some cream. My doctor wasn't going to give me anything at first, but I mentioned pain during latch-on, so he gave me some Nystatin also so we don't pass the yeast back and forth. The Rx is only for 7 days. I have read many places that treatment should continue for 2 weeks after symptoms disappear. However, most of the information I have found on the net focuses on the mother being symptomatic, not the baby. The only advise the doctor gave was to wash our hands frequently.

On the internet I have seen other suggestions:
Sterilize bottles and nipples after every use (we normally just wash each time and sterilize every couple of weeks).
Let breasts and bottoms air dry.
Change nursing pads frequently (although I seldom leak anymore).
And more...

Stubborn Thrush Meets Stubborn Mother

Thrush

Articles from LEAVEN: Yeast Infections and the Breastfeeding Family -- the best (and most) info so far.

FAQ on Thrush and Breastfeeding

Thrush

kellymom.com :: Thrush Resources

Thrush: Is medication necessary for thrush?

Diflucan for thrush

Thrush?

When DS2's teacher called today to let me know what his probably lunchtime would be, she said that they think he has thrush. Since he doesn't handle and mouth toys yet, all they need to do is rinse his bottle and return them (instead of washing in the sink with all of the other kids' bottles). I will start sterilizing the nipples (and probably bottles) every evening. One thing I didn't know is that it makes the baby's mouth hurt. That might be why he cried when I gave him the decongestant, or maybe he just didn't like the taste. I didn't notice any white in his mouth or bottem lip, as the teacher described, but maybe I just missed. It does probably mean yet another trip to the doctor's office. If it really is thrush, then I will be glad they caught it, but it sure seems like they want a doctor to look at every little thing.

Sick boys

It's official, DS2's eye goop is not contagious. Yesterday I had to take both boys home from daycare early. DS1 had a fever (and still does in between Tylenol doses), and DS2's eye was concerning the staff. On Sunday we called the doctor's office because it was very thick and goopy, and DS1's eye lid was puffy and the white was reddish. We started the eye drops. Yesterday (after I forgot the drops during the day Tuesday and Wednesday), the daycare staff decided that they needed a doctor to say it was not contagious to have him stay. So this morning at 8:30 we all went to the doctor. DS2 was pronounced not contagious, and DS1 got a quick look, too.

DH is staying home this morning, then I will go this afternoon. I'm off with the boys tomorrow because of in-service at the daycare. I'm not sure what we're going to do for leave time during Christmas break, because I just don't have the hours earned.

Pink Eye?

DS2 has an eye infection. We are treating it with antibiotic drops as if it were pink eye. The eyelid swelling and redness in the white of the eye are much better today. It may be viral instead, but if that is the case the drops won't hurt anything. We called the doctor yesterday morning so we could get treatment started, and therefore not have to keep DS2 out of daycare today. I have come down with a cold, and DS1 has a runny nose, too. That all does make me worry about our trip to Idaho. We can't have sick kids around MIL! She's taking chemo now and will be starting radiation after that (in January I think).

Lunch

DS2's lead teacher called about 11 to tell me her estimate of when DS2 would be ready for lunch. He had a 2 oz bottle around 10, so she suggested I come around noon. I got there about 11:45 and he had just fallen asleep. I went down to the observation room by DS1's room and watch him eat lunch then play for a little while. DS2 woke up around 12:15. I nursed him on one side and he almost fell back asleep. I changed his diaper, which was just barely wet. That woke him up enough to nurse from the other side. Then we was wide awake and happy, but it was time for me to leave. Hopefully we'll get a good pattern established so I can play with him longer before or after nursing.

New routine

This morning went pretty well. We prepared a lot last night for the first full day at daycare and me being back to work. We hoped to leave the house at 7:30 so I would make it to work by 8:00. We left at 7:45 and I was walking into my office at 8:15, so we got that timing right. If DH and I had gotten up at the first or 2nd alarm, instead of the 3rd or 4th, we probably would have made it out the door by 7:30 also.

Now I'm playing operator at work. I'm in technical support, but if all of the operator are gone we substitute. My boss is brave having me do it after a 3 month absense. I will submit computer jobs to run, reply to messages, mount tapes, and if there is any in-between time I will read email.