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