This comment from Dr. Richard Goldbloom in Pediatric Notes, volume 21,
number 6, February 6, 1997.  (This is sort of synopsis of articles for
pediatricians who are too busy to read the journals).

"My thoroughly anecdotal experience is that nystatin, though often
effective, works rather slowly.  Grizzled readers will recall that for
many years before nystatin strode onto the therapeutic stage, the
sovereign remedy for oral thrush was 1% aqueous gentian violet,
painted twice daily in the baby's mouth.  Cost: next to nothing.
Efficacy: works like a charm.  When nystatin appeared, almost everyone
switched their affections, presumably (a) to be in style and (b) for
esthetic reasons, i.e. to avoid staining the bedclothes and the baby's
perioral regiona a (temporary) violet hue.  Whenever the response of
oral thrush to nystatin has been less than stunning (not uncommon),
I've reverted to my ancient violaceous ways with rapid, gratifying
results".

The mother with sore nipples does not have the time to wait for
nystatin to work. That's why I *start* with gentian violet.

Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC