Itchy nipples and painful breasts are common signs of breast thrush

Are you experiencing consistent pain, burning or itchiness in your breasts and nipples? Moms experiencing breast thrush can feel uncomfortable due to the overgrowth of yeast called Candida albicans. Learn about the common symptoms of breast thrush infections while breastfeeding, how to deal and how to prevent reinfection.

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What is breast thrush?

What causes breast thrush?

What are the signs of breast thrush?

Is breast thrush painful?

What are the symptoms of breast thrush?

What does breast thrush look like? Can I see it on my baby?

How should I deal with breast thrush?

Should I stop breastfeeding?

What are the best ways to prevent a breast thrush infection?

What are some hygiene tips for breastfeeding?

What is breast thrush?

Breast thrush is a yeast infection caused by an overgrowth of fungus called Candida albicans. Candida is normally present in the body, however, it can also be found in the nipple and breast tissue of one or both breasts.

What causes breast thrush?

Breast thrush is usually caused by Candida albicans, a yeast naturally present in the mouth, vagina, and digestive tract.

Thrush may be linked to changes in the immune system and hormones, although its cause is not always known. Some scenarios might include a weakened immune system after pregnancy and childbirth, or a recent use of antibiotics.

What are the signs of breast thrush?

The main signs of breast thrush is ongoing pain, tenderness and sensitivity in the nipples and breast— even after adjusting a breastfeeding attachment or repositioning the baby.

Is breast thrush painful?

Breast thrush can be mild to intense depending on the mom. Nipple thrush pain is often described as a persistent itching, burning or stinging— especially after breastfeeding. While yeast infections are generally harmless, it’s recommended to contact your doctor or healthcare professional as soon as possible, so you can improve your breastfeeding experience.

What are the symptoms of breast thrush?

With breast thrush, one or both nipples may be red, blistered, or have a whitish coating. Some women feel burning, itching, or pain while breastfeeding, while others have little to no discomfort. In some cases, symptoms are mild or barely noticeable. Because thrush is contagious, sometimes the infection is first detected in the baby. Learn more about oral thrush in babies “Oral thrush in babies: signs, symptoms and prevention”

What does breast thrush look like? Can I see it on my baby?

In addition to itchy breasts and nipples, as well as soreness and persistent pains in the nipple and breast, other signs of breast thrush look like:

• Red, shiny or flaky nipples
• Cracked or damaged nipples

If thrush has spread to your baby, these are common signs and symptoms:

• White patches on the tongue, lips, gums or roof of the mouth that cannot be wiped off or cracks in the corners of the baby’s mouth
• Reluctance to feed or fussiness

How should I deal with breast thrush?

It’s recommended to consult your doctor or a lactation consultant the sooner the better as thrush is generally easy to treat and the breastfeeding experience for you and your baby will likely be more comfortable.

Doctors generally prescribe an antifungal medication for both you and your baby.

Symptoms often improve within a few days, but it’s important to complete the full course of treatment to fully eliminate the fungus and prevent recurrence.

Should I stop breastfeeding ?

It’s safe to continue breastfeeding. If you have breast thrush, there's a good chance your baby has it, too, possibly without realizing it. Consult your doctor or lactation consultant to fully clear the infection and discuss what to do with frozen bags of pumped milk, if you have them.

Is it safe to feed my baby pumped milk during a breast thrush infection?

You can pump and feed your baby the fresh milk directly while the infection persists, and you are both being treated. However, storing pumped milk in the fridge or refrigerator for later use is not recommended. You certainly do not want to risk potential reinfection. Maintaining good pumping hygiene is also important so wash your hands frequently and sterilize any items that come into contact with your breast or your baby's mouth. If you are unsure what to do, ask your lactation consultant for advice.

What’s the best way to prevent a breast thrush infection?

Practicing good hygiene while breastfeeding can make a difference as yeast tends to grow in moisture.

So to prevent reinfection while breastfeeding, follow a good hygiene regime and consider possible changes to your diet, such as avoiding sugar. Ask your doctor for the best recommendations for you and your baby.

What are some common hygiene tips to prevent a thrush reinfection?

Most families are up to speed on good hygiene tips. But for a refresher, follow these hygiene tips to prevent breast thrush reinfection while breastfeeding:

• Use disposable nursing pads and change them more often than usual.
• After breastfeeding, wash your breasts with warm water and let them air dry.
• Thoroughly clean and dry all breastfeeding supplies, including flanges and any pump parts that come into contact with breast milk.