>Quick questions oh knowledgeable ones:
>
>If the baby has a yeasty diaper rash (and a yeasty rash in the folds of
>her neck) does this mean she also has thrush in her mouth? I know that
>thrush is possible without seeing those white dots. Baby and mom
>previously had thrush in diaper area and nipples respectively. Baby has
>the rash again but mom is currently symptom free, but wants to treat
>nipples and baby's mouth "just in case." Thoughts?
>
 Julie, YES. An overgrowth of yeast is not just in the vagina, or the
nipples, or the diaper area, or the fingernails... It is systemic.  I would
definitely treat and be glad that the nipples aren't sore yet.

And I always treat with acidophilus orally, along with the antifungal meds,
because we never "stamp out" yeast; it isn't the goal. What we want is a
balance between the yeast and the "good" bacteria throughout the system.  A
good refrigerated acidophilus will go to work while the antifungal cuts down
the population of yeast.  I recommend five capsules a day, spaced throughout
the 24 hrs, continued for at least two weeks after the meds are stopped,
then gradually decreasing to one a day.  They need to continue the meds for
two weeks after symptoms are gone. This is especially needed in this case
where there is a recurrence.

I also recommend garlic.  It is antifungal and an immune system booster
which helps get things back to normal. The mother can either eat a lot of
garlic or take garlic tabs.

Hylands makes a calendula gel that moms have liked because it goes on
easily.  It is antifunfal as well as healing and would be good for the
baby's topical yeast.

There are some good posts on this topic in the Archives--Lots of them! If
you do a Listserv search your cup will be very full.

Pat Gima, IBCLC
Milwaukee