Thrush Remedies

• HA -- 3 rounds of nystatin, 2 rounds of gentian violet, on 2nd round of diflucan. water & vinegar rinse for my nipples, boiling everything else... at this point i think the thrush is ahead! but i have high hopes to win this round.
• Gentian violet is strong stuff, and can burn. Try diluting it to .5% or thereabouts. Then put it on a cotton ball or q-tip and apply it to baby's tongue and inside cheeks. If the solution you have is 1%, mix it with an equal amount of water. Do this VERY CAREFULLY, as the violet will stain anything it comes in contact with.
• Low sugar diet. (Fruits are 100% natural sugar too.)
• I also made a point to eat a cup of yogurt (with live cultures) each day,
• acidophilus capsules every day during thrush
• I still do rinse with vinegar after each nursing.
• Gentian violet. Strip to waist, paint the nipples and areolas (sp?), using a q-tip instead of the applicator they provide. Then hang out shirtless and braless. The violet washes off the skin with soap and water, but does not come out of clothing, so be careful! I used the violet straight out of the bottle for my painting, but would dillute it to .5% (1:1 solution with water) before using it in the baby's mouth. I used a suggestion offered on another list to get it into J.T.s mouth. Painted myself and then let him nurse on the painted nipples. Also pumped that way. Kinda funny to see gray/purple milk, but ped. assures me it's safe. Beware, however, when you pump or nurse to put a rag under your nipples, and to nurse the baby without him/her being clothed, as violet will get everywhere. I tucked an old towel into my waistband when I pumped, because I tend to leak from under the breast and I had light purple milk running down my breasts and toward my waistband. First application worked within two days. I was told that if I applied it to J.T.'s mouth to use it only every 3-5 days for three applications.
• about the gentian violet -- i have had luck getting it out by bleaching the stains. so, when i've had to treat us with it, i either dress us both in something all white or something really dark.
• Preventatives against thrush: Going topless or, in the least, going braless. Rinsing breasts with cool water every now and then when it's really hot. Not wearing the same bra two days in a row, unless it's washed with hot water between wearings.