I'd like to personally thank the members of Lactnet for sharing so much
valuable information over the years.

About 3 months ago Lactnet had a great sharing discussion on treating
yeast overgrowth in breastfeeding mothers.  I'd like to especially thank
Jennifer Tow and Chris Hafner-Eaton for sharing their knowledge on the
use of liquid "grapefruit seed extract".  I have seen very positive
results when my clients have started taking this supplement to help rid
their bodies of yeast overgrowth.  The grapefruit seed extract tastes
terrible when mixed with water, so I usually tell mothers to drink it
quickly.  Then one mother told me that when she mixed it with orange
juice, it didn't taste so bad!  The grapefruit seed extract has worked
with mothers who have taken diflucan for 2-4 weeks and still had
symptoms of yeast overgrowth.

I've learned to tell mothers with yeast overgrowth to purchase an
acidophilus product that also contains bifidus (also called bifidophilus
or bifidum).  This type of acidophilus product helps restore the good
bacteria to the large *and* small intestines.

These two additions to my usual gentian violet and personal hygiene
protocol have made a huge difference in helping mothers get better (to
the point that breastfeeding is no longer painful for them. Yes!!)

Just one additional note...Since I started with the grapefruit seed
extract, almost every mother has had a Herxheimer reaction as the yeast
in her intestinal tract was dying off.  My instructions always include
drinking lots of water for the first few days of aggressive treatment
for the yeast.  Symptoms of the Herxheimer reaction have been mostly
fatigue and nausea for the first 2 to 5 days of treatment.  I have also
discovered that the nipple pain associated with yeast seems to get worse
in the first few days of treatment when using the gentian violet.  Then
the pain gets better.  I have started letting mothers know in advance
that their nipple pain may get worse initially and they are able to take
the "set-back" with more patience and understanding if it occurs.

Thanks to everyone on Lactnet for empowering me and allowing me to
assist mothers in ways that I never dreamed of!!  You are a wonderful
group of people!!

Janet Talmadge, IBCLC
Lactation Innovation

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