I had a call from a NMAA Counsellor friend in a country town who has been
counselling a mother in her area. Just thought someone out there may have
some ideas about her situation.

The story: Baby fed OK from birth except that mum had one unusually shaped
nipple, which cracked quite badly. From about 3 weeks, she fed only on the
good side, and expressed and/or fed only a little on the odd side. Things
seemed OK until about 7 weeks, when the baby became very unsettled, seemed
hungry and fed a lot. She reluctantly gave baby a bottle of formula each
evening for a few days, but stopped this after talking to the Counsellor,
who suggested she start feeding with both sides again (which worked OK). At
10 weeks, mother had lots of milk and baby was very unsettled, and seemed
to be suffering from oversupply colic. Just to be on the safe side, the
Counsellor suggested the mum get baby checked by her local doctor for
weight and to rule out any medical problem like ear infection, etc. The
doctor found baby had an ulcer in the mouth, which was diagnosed as a
herpes infection. Baby was put on medication (didn't get what this was).
Mother insisted on her nipples being treated with something although they
didn't seem to have any lesions (mum has background as midwife), so was
prescribed Canesten, the Counsellor thinks (ie treatment for thrush!!!).
Baby started vomiting quite badly, so both mum and baby were hospitalised
during baby's treatment. Since she has been home and the course of
medication finished, baby's vomiting has worsened and mum wondered if it
could be reflux. Her doctor thinks that baby might have further herpes
ulcers down the throat. Baby is gaining weight even though still vomiting.
To get another medical opinion means driving several hours to Perth, but
she is probably considering doing this anyway. What do any of you know
about herpes in babies? I wondered if the vomiting is reflux that just
happened to be triggered during the treatment for the herpes. What do you
medicos think about all of this?

TIA
Joy Anderson IBCLC and NMAA Breastfeeding Counsellor
Perth, Western Australia