In regards to several yeast comments brought-up --- I had the experience of 10 months of severe nipple problems during which I had the opportunity to try everything known (and to become interested in lactation consultation). I continued to be challenged for the next two years of nursing, giving me the opportunity to confirm the findings that I found true for my own body. Within weeks after birth, my nipples were so sore, and eventually scabbed, that I would hold my face to keep from screaming during nursing sessions. Latch was not a problem. Being a frequent sufferer of vaginal yeast pre- pregnancy, my perineal area turned to a yeast-bomb soon after delivery – definitely from the “squirt, squirt, pat, pat” technique my OB taught me for care of my severely battered perineum. My son had a little yeast in his mouth, nothing outstanding. The topical anti-fungals would provide modest, temporary relief, the same with oral Nystatin, but eventually I developed my first good case of mastitis. Once high fevers and body aches developed, I was treated with antibiotics, which "mostly" ended the mastitis, and removed part of the nipple picture, bringing more redness and some itching, but the same amount of pain. Diflucan then also brought tremendous nipple relief, but led to another bout of mastitis, and pustules on my nipples. Long story shorter, only a combination of Diflucan and antibiotics brought me initial good recovery. I believe that yeast was the initial culprit, but then the fissures created by the yeast would become secondarily infected by bacteria. I also came to understand that I likely had bouts of fungal mastitis – plenty pain and inflammation, no fever, although they’d eventually develop into bacterial, if not addressed promptly. The worst treatment for both my son and myself was the gentian violet (second worst being alcohol). I thought the sores it caused in my son’s mouth would never heal (it only took a couple days, but the screaming & refusal to eat seemed endless). I came to realize that the severe drying and skin irritation to my nipples from the gentian violet caused a multitude of microscopic fissures for yeast to develop happy homes in, and then, as sores grew, homes for bacterial suburbs as well. I came to understand that all of the variously recommended efforts for drying the nipples and keeping them dry were causing microscopic damage that let in infections. I learned that the nipples needed to be kept moist with good moisturizing creams. Eventually my absolute best treatment and prevention was topical Neosporin application after every nursing. This served as my lubricant and barrier cream as well. Touted as a broad-spectrum antibacterial, Neosporin also has antifungal zinc. Then, any time I felt the least bit of mastitis coming on, I would pop the little twist&activate hot packs into my bra throughout the day and use plenty of local massage. One mother I recommended Neosporin to mixed it with OTC antifungal cream and found the long-term relief she was looking for. Of course, sunshine (I don't think winter sun has enough UV)and acidophilus/bifidus are always a given for supplementary treatment. I learned (sadly) to give baby a pacifier to substitute for comfort nursing, a favorite activity of his, which I believe was in part pain relief for all the intestinal food- (in my diet) intolerance reactions he suffered. Nipple shields were helpful during the sorest times. Pumping was horrible. Yeast after weaning? Yes, definitely. After a couple of sweaty days my nipples become bright red and eventually itchy and definitely do not want to be touched. It occurs a little less often every year, but still comes on 6 years post-weaning. I once relactated from spending 3 solid days locked in a room full of nursing mothers. The milk pooled (since I didn’t nurse), and here I was developing mastitis again, 2 years after weaning. *********************************************** To temporarily stop your subscription: set lactnet nomail To start it again: set lactnet mail (or digest) To unsubscribe: unsubscribe lactnet All commands go to [log in to unmask] The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(R) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html