I was postpartum with Edmund; my third baby and I was having a rough go of it this time around. Breastfeeding had been a challenge with my first and second babies but this time it was different. The toe-curling pain that I experienced with my first two babies, was now off the chart pain when it came to Edmund.
Honestly, I didn’t want to nurse him. My left breast in particular, was very painful. I started pumping to find some relief but even that was painful. I remember, giving myself pep talks before feedings so I would have enough courage to do it. Telling myself one week postpartum, keep going don’t give up breastfeeding it will get better like my first two. It didn’t, if anything it just got worse. I didn’t understand what was going on, why was breastfeeding this time so painful?
Edmund was born November 25, 2022, it was now December 8th. I was thirteen days postpartum, and thankfully, I had my two-week postpartum appointment with my midwife that day. I gathered all three kiddos into the car and drove to her office. We sat on a couch in her office, and I chatted with the new midwife in training, while we waited for her. I’m so glad I did. The midwife trainee asked a few questions, and I told her about my very painful breastfeeding.
She had experienced thrush recently with her last baby and knew exactly what I was describing. Thank goodness for her! And thank goodness the cure was pretty simple. My midwife walked in and the three of us talked about what I needed to do to heal my thrush.
Symptoms:
An intense burning itching feeling.
Red and crusty around the areola.
Step one: buy a jug of white vinegar. Then, wash all the clothing that came into contact with my breasts. I used 1/2 cup in the washing machine along with my usual laundry detergent. Do the hot water cycle. I also made sure to soak my pump parts in hot water and vinegar.
Step two: I mixed half vinegar with half warm water in a small glass, and I dipped my breast into it. I felt pretty ridiculous doing this, but it made all the difference!
Step three: buy grapefruit seed extract and take some every day for three weeks. I continued to take the supplement until the bottle was gone.
I put all three kids in the car again after my midwife appointment and sat in the parking lot for a few minutes so I could curbside order the grapefruit seed extract at Whole Foods. Then, I drove straight to Target. I bought, a big jug of white vinegar, and lunch for my two older kiddos who were starving by this point. Back in the car we went to Whole Foods where they brought the grapefruit seed extract to my car.
Once home, I followed the advice of my midwife and midwife trainee had given me, and my thrush was gone within the week! What a relief it was! This is us at my Aunt's Christmas party on December 18th. Ten days into our treatment and feeling so much better!
Side note:
Luckily from what I could tell, the thrush hadn’t spread to Edmund’s mouth yet. So, we had that on our side. We normally eat pretty clean as a family, but I cut back on the sugars I was eating and upped my probiotic intake as well. If you are having issues with thrush, I would highly recommend these two easy home remedies!
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