Thrush

What to do?

It is possible to cure a mild case of thrush with the measures below, focusing on cleanliness, air and sunlight. For a more serious case of thrush, or if these precautions are ineffective, a prescription antifungal treatment may be needed.

For mom:

• Yeast organisms don’t like sunlight, so give your nipples some sunshine. (Don’t let yourself get sunburned though!)

• Wash hands frequently

• Avoid touching both nipples without washing hands in between

• Change breast pads frequently

• Use towels, nursing pads, bras and clothing only once before washing

• Go braless as often as possible

• Avoid feeding the yeast by making the following dietary changes:

  • Reduce (or eliminate) sugar intake, especially processed sugar, honey, and fruit juices as sugar feeds the yeast organism.  Without eliminating sugar or seriously cutting down on it, it’s difficult to eradicate the yeast.  (It’s not forever!)

  • Reduce white flours such as baked goods

  • Avoid dairy

  • Eat plenty of fresh organic colorful veggies, whole grains, beans or meat

  • Eat probiotic foods to help restore bacteria-yeast balance (such as sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt, kombucha).  It can change the taste of breastmilk if baby is not used to it.

• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is a known antifungal (Thrush is yeast, and yeasts are fungi). ACV can be used internally and externally for thrush on the nipples:

  • Internal Directions: Drink 1 tablespoon twice per day. This can be diluted in water.

  • External Directions: Rinse your nipples with a vinegar and water solution (1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar to 1 cup water) after every feeding. Pour solution in a clean medicine cup and then put that over the nipple. Hold it there for 3-5 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly. Continue to use the solution after each feeding, and mix a new solution every day.

• Once nipples have air dried, apply plain yogurt with active cultures (and no added sugar!) to nipples after each feeding. Be sure to use a clean spoon to get the yogurt out of the container to avoid contamination. Spoon the yogurt onto the nipples and spread with clean fingers.

For baby:

• Frequent diaper changes when you can’t have baby naked

• If you’re using cloth diapers, avoid synthetic diaper covers and use wool when possible. Consider using breathable disposable diapers while the infection heals.

• Apply plain yogurt (with no added sugar!) to baby’s bottom at diaper changes if a yeast diaper rash is present.  Be sure to use a clean finger in the container to avoid contaminating. 

• Swab the inside of baby’s mouth with plain yogurt with active cultures (and no added sugar).  Make sure your fingers are clean!  Baby will then get the beneficial bacteria not only in their mouth and on the white patches but will get into the digestive system as well.  There are also probiotics available at health food stores specifically for babies that would also be helpful here.