Thrush Info

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Posted by Kerry (Member # 509) on October 26, 2003 08:32 AM October 26, 2003 08:32 AM :

Everyone, please post your thrush tips and links here.
Pat Gima's Yeast Treatment Plan http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/yeast.shtml

Jack Newman's Candida Protocol http://www.kellymom.com/newman/c-candida_protocol.html

Jack Newman's info on using Diflucan for thrush http://www.kellymom.com/newman/20fluconazole.html

Jack Newman's info on using Gentian Violet for thrush http://www.kellymom.com/newman/06gentian_violet.html

Some herbs that are helpful in treating thrush:

Raw Garlic (mother eat 3-5 raw cloves a day - chop a clove into several smaller chunks and swallow whole like pills - garlic has a blood thinning effect)
Grapefruit seed extract (mother take 10-15 drops in orange juice, 3-4 times/day)
Oregon Grape root (mother - take in tincture form - 1-2 ml, 3-4 times/day - Goldenseal can be substituted, but is not as environmentally friendly)
Black Walnut (mother- take in tincture form - 15-60 drops, 3-4 times/day)
Pau D'arco (mother - take in tincture form - 1-2 ml, 3-4 times/day)

All of the above herbs (with the exception of the raw garlic) can also be diluted in water and then swabbed on mother's nipples and inside baby's mouth)

Kerry's Herbals Thrush Fighter Kit http://www.kerrysherbals.com/kits.shtml

Some essential oils which are effective against topical yeast (dilute!):

Tea tree
Thyme
Rosemary

Acidophilus - should be taken by both mom and baby. Baby should get a bifidus/acidophilus combination. You should get the kind that needs to be refrigerated, the loose powder is best. Adults should take between 5-10 grams/day, babies around 1-2 grams. It should be divided into 3-4 doses/day.

*IF USING INFANT NYSTATIN - it should be applied every 3 hours. If the dosage on the bottle says to give every 6 hours, then you should HALF the dosage and give it every 3 hours, day and night. Before applying Nystatin inside baby's mouth, take a clean piece of gauze and wipe off inside of baby's cheeks, tongue and gums. This will remove some of the surface yeast, making the medicine more effective.

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Posted by yvette (Member # 37) on October 29, 2003 01:58 PM October 29, 2003 01:58 PM :

When battling thrush, it's important to change your nursing pads often. If your bra gets wet, change that, too. Keep pacifiers and chew toys clean.

I used Dr. Newman's All Purpose Ointment for thrush, but it was his Diflucan protocol that finally kicked it.

Here's the recipe for the Ointment:

Nipple Ointment
Mupirocin 2% ointment (15 grams)
Betamethasone 0.1% ointment (15 grams)
To which is added miconazole powder so that the final concentration is 2% miconazole. This combination gives a total volume of approximately 30 grams. Clotrimazole powder to a final concentration of 2% may be substituted if miconazole powder is unavailable, but both exist (the pharmacist may have to order it in). I believe clotrimazole is not as good as miconazole, but I have no proof of that. Using powder gives a better concentration of antifungal agent (miconazole or clotrimazole) and the concentrations of the mupirocin and betamethasone remain higher.
The combination is applied sparingly after each feeding (except the feeding when the mother uses gentian violet). "Sparingly" means that the nipple and areola will shine but you won't be able to see the ointment. Do not wash or wipe it off, even if the pharmacist asks you to. In Canada, Kenacomb (easier to find) or Viaderm KC (less expensive) ointments (not cream) can be substituted for the above combination, but are distinctly inferior. I used to use nystatin ointment or miconazole cream (15 grams) as part of the mixture, and these work well, but I believe the use of powdered miconazole (or clotrimazole powder) gives better results. These ointments can be used for any cause of nipple soreness ("all purpose nipple ointments"), not just for Candida (yeast). The ointment is used until pain free and then decrease frequency over a week or two until stopped.


It is available by prescription and is mixed at a compound pharmacy. It is pricey if your insurance does not cover it, but in my experience, it was well worth every penny.

Posted by sadiesmom (Member # 535) on October 29, 2003 02:42 PM October 29, 2003 02:42 PM :

I had a consistent case of thrush for several months and what finally kicked it was the combination of using a Grapefruit Seed Extract rinse on my nipples (see Jack Newman's article) and taking 9 capsules a day (3 capsules, 3 times a day) of acidophilus. At home I walked around topless and when I did wear a bra I wore nursing pads that I changed several times a day. In addition I washed my bras and night shirts after every single use in hot, soapy water. Of course I can't forget that I also used Kerry's Miracle Salve!

I think the biggest piece of advice is to be very consistent in treating and cleaning everything because the yeast seem to jump at any chance to grow again.

If you do use Gentian Violet to treat you will quickly realize what a mess it is. Some tips to help keep it under control is to open the bottle over the toilet because otherwise the dried g.v. will flake and stain when it comes in contact with water. For stained fabrics, I used a Oxyclean pre-treatment mix and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before washing and it always got everything out.

[Megadodo]

I think that grapefruit seed extract is the most effective way to treat thrush (http://www.drjaygordon.com/development/bf/thrush.asp)

Make sure and boil all things that come into contact with babys mouth or your nipples: teethers, artificial nipples, pacifiers and breast pump parts.

You can use GSE with your regular detergent to rid your clothing of yeast. 30 drops per load will do the trick. Make sure and wash bedsheets, PJs, washable breast pads, bras, burp cloths and bibs. Wash your bras after each use.

I agree that taking acidolphilus will help restore balance quicker. We use Jarro-dolphilus+FOS, found in the refrigerated section of your health food store.

Do use vitamin E oil as a moisturizer on your nipples as it is not a barrier cream and will not interfere with nursing baby or the GSE.

Do make sure and treat mother and baby simultaneously or you may just pass it back and forth.