How to Treat Infant and Mother Thrush Naturally

Thrush is a yeast infection. It may be difficult to treat for breastfeeding mothers as the infection gets passed back and forth from mother to baby. It is important that both mother and baby be treated simultaneously to reduce the threat of passing it back and forth. In a baby's mouth, it appears as thick white milk or yogurt on the baby's tongue. On the mother, it appears as dry flaky or cracked skin on the nipples. Nursing will be very painful for the mother.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.
   
   Yeast cannot live in vinegar. After each nursing episode, wash the nipplies in a 50/50 solution of cider vinegar and water. Keeping a bottle at bedside with cottonballs will make this easier to do.
   
   Rub the baby's tongue with the 50/50 solution using gauze, q-tip or toothbrush - BECAREFUL NOT TO SCRUB as this will cause pain to the baby.
2. Yogurt.
   
   Eat plenty of unsweetened yogurt with live bacteria. This heatlhy bacteria will prevent the yeast from spreading in your body.
3. Acidophilous.
   
   There are some brands that are specifically for babies. Read the label carefully for dosages. The suggested dosage should be spread directly on the baby's tongue. It is absolutely safe to be ingested so do not clean it off.
4. Gentian Violet
   
   May be purchased over the counter without a prescription. This treatment will stain everything purple. Follow the instructions carefully as there is a link between use of gentian violet and cancer.
5. Wash and change your bras frequently to avoid lingering infections. These garments should be washed separately with hot soapy water. It may also be helpful to use disposable nursing pads at this time.
6. Avoid sugar and sweets. Yeast thrives on sugar.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't give up and don't stop breastfeeding. Trush between mother and baby is only temporary. It may be heartbreaking and emotionally trying for even a seasoned breastfeeding mother.
• If this treatment is not working after a few days. You may need to see your pediatrician for prescription medication including Nystatin or Diflucan which both the mother and baby should use. Do not discontinue these other methods unless your doctor recommends it.