Filed under: Breastfeeding, Trouble-shooting | Tags: grapefruit seed extract, probiotics, thrush
I’ve already written a post on recognizing and treating thrush, but as I’ve got thrush for about the forth time in the last two-plus years of nursing, and I got some advice from a midwife/naturopath, I thought I’d share her wisdom with you:
To treat thrush, get a small, clean spray bottle (I’d recommend a new one). Using distilled water, make a solution of 10 drops grapefruit seed extract (GSE) to one ounce of distilled water. More resistant cases may need concentrations of 15 or 20, but start with 10. She recommended GSE without a glycerine base, but I’ve used the glycerine-based kind and it works fine. Shake the solution before you use it. Spray on the affected area once every waking hour.
At night, use a caster oil compress. Take an 8×8 square of flannel and put it in a baking dish. Pour a 4 oz bottle of caster oil over it. Bake on low (approx 110 degrees) for ten minutes. Wring out excess oil, then fold up the flannel to a size that will cover the affected area. Make sure it isn’t too hot, and place over affected area and cover with Saran Wrap. Use something like an old bra to hold it in place. Use a hot water bottle or heating pad to place over compress to keep it warm. To this when going to bed. Keep compress in place for a minimum of two hours and up to overnight.
Don’t wear a bra while at home. Keep the breast aired out as much as possible.
Cut back on sugar. If thrush/yeast is a recurring problem, you may need to be on a low-sugar diet.
Do all of the above for 3-5 days. If thrush doesn’t clear up, contact your healthcare provider.
That’s her advice to me. I’d also recommend probiotic supplements and cultured foods. Oregano oil is supposed to help with yeast problems as well, and they sell it in softgel form.
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