How do we know if it’s thrush?

Thrush can develop if you have been unwell or stressed, as this can lower your immune defences. Signs of nipple thrush may include:

• A burning, stinging, or shooting pain that travels from the nipple into the breast
• Pain that is present both during feeds and between feeds
• Skin on the nipple or breast that looks shiny, flaky, or red (but not always)
• White patches in the folds of the nipple
• Thrush usually appears after you have been breastfeeding for a while, not immediately after birth
• Your baby may also have white patches on the tongue or inside the lips and cheeks
• Thrush may travel through the digestive system and cause a red, sore nappy area

Contact your health visitor or GP

If your symptoms sound like thrush, reach out to your health visitor or GP.
If thrush is confirmed, both you and your baby need treatment — usually a cream or liquid medication prescribed by a doctor. You can safely continue breastfeeding during treatment.

You can ease the pain using medicine

You may find it helpful to use over-the-counter pain relief such as Paracetamol, Panodil, Pinex, or Pamol.

Good hygiene helps clear thrush and prevents it returning

Keeping things clean reduces the chance of the infection persisting or coming back. Remember to:

• Wash your hands frequently
• Use clean breast pads after each feed
• Wash bras, underwear, bedding, towels, and bibs at 60°C or above
• Clean and boil dummies, bottles, nipple shields, and breast pump parts at 100°C for at least 5 minutes after each use