>-I was asked today about using acidophilus powder in a baby's mouth and on
>the mother's nipple as a treatment for thrush

Lactobacillus acidophilus is a normal inhabitant of the bowel and vagina,
but not on the skin. The idea of eating it (in yogurt or capsules/powder) or
using it in the vagina (eg tampon dipped in yogurt) is that it prevents the
overgrowth of thrush. This is discussed in Naomi Baumslag and Dia Michels'
book: A Woman's Guide to Yeast Infections.

I don't recommend it on the nipple, because it is unlikely to survive on the
skin for long. If someone was using yogurt on the nipple, it is possible
that the baby could be sensitized to cow's milk.

Lisa Amir
GP / LC in Melbourne, Australia