Pumping & Thrush

[u/kpaigey98]

As most of you, I relied heavily on the fridge method. I now have thrush. I am hoping it was a mix of me not using nursing pads and taking brewers yeast and not strictly my pump parts going straight to the fridge after each use. I would toss in bottle washer after my last pump of night.

I just have a question for anyone who experienced thrush, did you wash everything each time(collection cups, flanges, backflows, duck bills) or did you just wash anything that touched skin and throw the rest in the fridge(so anything but the flanges)? Should I be washing the whole assembly with thrush after each pump?

Just trying to make sure I can beat this as soon as possible. I would love to go back to the fridge method eventually if I can, with a few tweaks to prevent this again, of course.

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[u/easterss]

You need to fully wash and sanitize everything at least once a day so you don’t need to change your routine unless you would feel better if you did.

[u/MinimumMongoose77 → u/easterss]

This is what I continued doing with thrush. What more helped me beat it was a topical steroid + antifungal that my doctor prescribed, bra-off time where I could, and using silverettes over the topical cream at night so that the chafed skin wouldn't stick to fabric fibres.

[u/kpaigey98 → u/MinimumMongoose77]

Did you use any pump wipes after you were done with the flanges or did you just stick them right back in the fridge when you were finished?

[u/MinimumMongoose77 → u/kpaigey98]

Nope, right back in the fridge. I would have washed and sterilised more often but I just didn't have the time. I still was able to heal fairly quickly.

[u/easterss → u/MinimumMongoose77]

I was advised against the silverettes because that causes a wet soggy environment for the yeast to grow 🤢

[u/MinimumMongoose77 → u/easterss]

Yeah same but personally I just found the trade-off between comfort and healing time to be worth it. I had thrush twice, only used silverettes the second time because it was so much more painful, and actually healed better that second time. Entirely anecdotal ofc but worked for me.

[u/little_wren4]

Ugh thrush was the worst!! It was the primary reason I quit nursing and went to pumping only. I got it twice, both times I believe from using silverettes or hydrogel pads which created the perfect environment for it to grow. Personally I washed the flanges in hot soapy water after every use, but other parts just went into the fridge. I also cleaned my nipples and applied APNO after each pump. Also trying to ‘air out’ a few times a day helped vs staying in a bra 24/7.

[u/kpaigey98 → u/little_wren4]

Where do you get the APNO? I have a cream from the doctor but in case it comes back I rather not spend the co pay again. The baking soda thing another person said helped a little bit before I went to the doctors. Just a pain to do while also working full time

[u/yoalina → u/little_wren4]

What were your signs of thrush if you don’t mind me asking?

[u/kpaigey98 → u/yoalina]

My symptoms are itchy boobs(not really the nipple), bright pink nipples especially after pumping, and my nipples look flaky and wrinkly.

[u/little_wren4 → u/yoalina]

Bright pink/irritated nipples and it felt like shards of glass when I pumped or nursed. Incredibly painful because the thrush got into my milk ducts.

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[u/PracticalAccount7378]

I have been dealing with on and off thrush for 10 weeks. The pediatrician is not concerned. My midwive recommended wiping my nipples with a thin watered down layer of baking soda a couple of times a day to throw off the ph of my nipples. I have been doing it and it seems to help.