Thrush with breastfeeding: what to do

Qu'est-ce que le muguet ?

Infections à muguet are caused by a yeast-like fungus called Candida albicans. Naturally found on women's skin, this fungus is usually harmless. However, if it multiplies it can infect the skin and cause irritation, itchiness, and redness.

This is known as le muguet, and it can develop in both women and their babies. The most common places for thrush are the vagin, bouche, and zone de la couche.

Allaitement can be a trigger both for nipple thrush in women and muguet buccal chez les bébés. Le champignon Candida prospère dans des endroits chauds et humides, et l'allaitement maternel offre donc un environnement idéal pour sa croissance.

Midwife, Jo Parkinton, explains that the infection can be transmitted both ways between mother and baby: "Nipple thrush may develop when the infection gets into a cracked and damaged nipple, but there are several other possible causes, including recent antibiotic use, a high-sugar diet, and la mycose vaginale.

"The baby could also pick up the infection during birth - if mum develops le muguet pendant la grossesse - and then transfer the yeast back to mum through the nipple."

Parkinton ajoute que le muguet lié à l'allaitement est courant, touchant environ une femme allaitante sur 20.

If you're breastfeeding, there are signs to look out for on your own breasts as well as in and around your baby's mouth. Superintendent pharmacist, Jana Abelovska, talks us through the range of symptoms:

If you or your baby develops thrush, you don't need to stop breastfeeding. According to Midwife Jo Parkinton you can speak to your pharmacist about over-the-counter treatments, or raise any concerns with your doctor. Both can recommend the most effective treatment for thrush with breastfeeding based on the severity of the symptoms.

"It's important that both mother and baby are treated at the same time to avoid cross contamination," she says. "Thrush treatment is usually the same for both - normally miconazole if the baby is over four months of age, which can be applied as an oral gel into baby's mouth as well as in cream form directly onto mum's nipple skin. If mum also has symptoms of vaginal thrush, we recommend clotrimazole cream and pessaries - tablets that are inserted into the vagina - and review their diet." If the baby is younger than four months old, it is best to see a doctor first.

You should see an improvement within two to three days. If five days of treatment hasn't made a difference, speak to your doctor. Pharmacist Jana Abelovska, says: "If symptoms persist, a single dose of oral fluconazole may be prescribed via a tablet to clear the infection." "

Yellow box

Il n'est pas toujours possible de prévenir le muguet lors de l'allaitement, mais il existe des habitudes hygiéniques qui peuvent aider à empêcher la propagation de l'infection entre vous, votre bébé et les autres membres de votre foyer. Cela inclut :

• Utiliser des serviettes séparées.

• Se laver les mains fréquemment - surtout après les changements de couches.

• Changer vos coussinets d'allaitement régulièrement.

• Stériliser les tétines et tous les jouets que votre bébé pourrait mettre dans sa bouche.

• Laver les tissus qui entrent en contact étroit avec vos seins ou la bouche de votre bébé à haute température.