Breastfeeding Problems-
Fungal Infections

What is fungal infection?

What are the signs of yeast infection?

	A key sign of a yeast infection is if you develop sore nipples that last more than a few days, even after you make sure your baby has a good latch.
	You may suddenly get sore nipples after several weeks of pain-free breastfeeding.
	Some other signs of a yeast infection include pink, flaky,shiny, itchy, or cracked nipples or deep pink and blistered nipples.
	You also could have achy breasts or shooting pains deep in the breast during or after feedings.

What causes yeast infection?

	Thrush in your baby’s mouth, which can pass to you.
	An overly moist environment on your skin or nipples that are sore or cracked.
	Antibiotics or steroids.
	A chronic illness like HIV, diabetes, or anemia.

The signs of baby's thrush are:

Thrush in a baby’s mouth appears as little white spots on the inside of the cheeks, gums, or tongue. Many babies with thrush refuse to nurse or are gassy or cranky. A baby’s fungal infection can also appear as a diaper rash that looks like small red dots around a main rash. This rash will not go away by using regular diaper rash creams.

What should I do?

	Change disposable nursing pads often.
	Wash any towels or clothing that comes in contact with the yeast in very hot water (above 122°F).
	Wear a clean bra every day.
	Wash your hands often, and wash your baby’s hands often – especially if he or she sucks on his or her fingers.
	Put pacifiers, bottle nipples, or toys your baby puts in his or her mouth in a pot of water and bring it to a roaring boil daily. After one week of treatment, discard pacifiers and nipples and buy new ones.
	Boil daily all breast pump parts that touch the milk.
	Make sure other family members are free of thrush or other fungal infections. If they have symptoms, make sure they get treated.

If you or your baby has symptoms of a yeast infection, call both your doctor and your baby’s doctor so you can be correctly diagnosed and treated at the same time. This will help prevent passing the infection to each other.

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