What it is
You have shooting pain in the breast, or burning nipples, or a white dot on the tip, and someone said thrush. Thrush is a yeast infection of the nipple: shiny or flaky skin, burning during and after feeds, often white patches in the baby's mouth. But deep breast pain has other causes. Vasospasm is when the nipple turns white after a feed, then blue or red, with sharp pain. A bleb is a white dot where a pore is blocked. A bacterial infection is a crack gone red or crusted.
What's typical
Thrush often follows antibiotics and shows up on both sides. Vasospasm improves with warmth and a better latch. A bleb often eases with feeding and a warm compress; newer advice is not to pick or lance it.
What's known
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine says thrush is over-diagnosed. Much of the pain blamed on it is latch damage, vasospasm, or bacteria.
What helps
- Warmth right after feeds for vasospasm: cover the nipple with a hand before cold air hits it.
- Book a lactation consultant to watch a feed. Deep pain is rarely only an infection.
When to call someone
- Now (go in): fever with a red, hot breast and feeling very ill.
- Todaypus, yellow crust, a fever, or a baby refusing to feed.
- This weekburning or shooting pain lasting more than a few days, or a nipple that turns white after feeds.
Who helps
Tools: Feeding Prep · Birthworker Directory
Related
- Nipple pain, cracks, and healingPostpartum: Your Body
- Clogged ducts and mastitisPostpartum: Your Body
- Getting a deep latchFeeding Your Baby
- Medications and breastfeeding: how to checkFeeding Your Baby
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Sources
- Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine — Clinical protocol on persistent pain with breastfeeding
- La Leche League International — Thrush
- NHS — Breastfeeding and thrush
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