Fungal infections involving the breasts are common in women who are breastfeeding an infant, especially infants that may be subject to chronic infection. Most notably, newborns who develop Oral thrush, also known as simply “Thrush”, will pass fungal infections to the breasts of feeding mothers, leading to complications in both Mom and baby. As a fungal infection of the mouth, many breastfeeding women are alarmed at the presence of thrush in a newborn and the concurrent fungal infection symptoms of the breasts. While most common in the first few weeks following birth, these types of fungal infections can impact an individual at any age. As a new mom, recognizing the symptoms of Oral thrush in the newborn, as well as the symptoms of fungal infections of the breasts, may provide for a more effective treatment plan when working with your newborn’s pediatrician and in caring for the breasts during breastfeeding sessions.
Candida, a fungal organism, is commonly found in the human body and is not a foreign organism to the mouth neither of a newborn nor within a breastfeeding woman. However, when overgrowth of candida fungus occurs, known as Candidiasis, a newborn may develop an oral fungal infection known as Oral thrush and pass this infection, commonly, to the breastfeeding mother. This overgrowth of candida fungi, in the newborn, is commonly attributed to a lack of healthy oral bacteria and may even be more prevalent in those infants who suffer from chronic bacterial infections requiring the use of antibiotics on recurring basis. These children not only suffer from health complications of their own but may pass this overgrowth of Candida to the breastfeeding mother resulting in health complications in Mom.
When suffering from breastfeeding associated thrush fungal infection, it is not uncommon for the breastfeeding woman to be frightened by the sudden onset of symptoms and associated breast pain. Most notably, symptoms of a fungal infection in the breastfeeding mother, beyond pain, may include redness and swelling around the nipple area and deep pains within the breasts, especially when breastfeeding. When these symptoms are present, the most likely culprit involves the development of a fungal infection which can affect the oral cavity of the newborn as well. So, how does a breastfeeding woman remedy the painful breastfeeding experience?
Treatment and dosing of prescription medication, in treating a fungal infection in the breastfeeding woman is usually achieved through the use of anti fungal medications. In addition, the breastfeeding woman should also use nursing pads in an effort to prevent the spread of the fungal infection to other articles of clothing. Beyond personal health, a mom who is breastfeeding should seek out medical attention of the newborn as, in most cases; the newborn will develop a fungal infection known as Oral thrush requiring the treatment by the pediatrician. Most often, when diagnosed with a fungal infection, in either Mom or baby, the practice of breastfeeding is often discontinued and bottle feeding then begins. As a result, when choosing to breastfeed, using simple preventative measures may work to ensure a reduced risk of fungal infection complications.
To prevent the development of a fungal infection, for both the breast feeding mother and the newborn, care should be taken to eliminate bread and other complex carbohydrates from the mother’s diet, incorporate daily intake of yogurt products and seeking regular dental examinations and cleanings for both baby and Mom. The key, when suffering from symptoms of breast pain, is to obtain early diagnosis, intervention and treatment of the overgrowth in fungus which led to the development of the infection and, possibly, restore the practice of healthy breastfeeding as soon as possible.
