Illness' Spread via Breastmilk

I would be leery of homemade formula. There are organic formulas on the market if you must stop breastfeeding.....there are many options out there. Also considering getting those who have not been allergy tested withint he family tested.

I've not heard of breast milk carrying yeast. I question the truth of that. I suggest you research this in the Internet. Perhaps you'll find a scientific site that can describe how this happens or reassure you that this is not true.

I briefly looked at articles on the Internet. The only mention of yeast and fungal infections is related the nipple and the baby's mouth. Infections are not caused by the milk. They happen when either the mom or the baby get an infection and they pass it between them. Even if you stop breast feeding your baby may still get them.

Yeast and fungus are all around us. We become infected when our immune system isn't working well. Diet, such as eating too much sugar can feed yeast infections or lower our body's natural resistance to yeast. We can reduce infections by improving our diet.

I have friends who, along with their baby had yeast infections. I have had thrush (no baby). Gentian violet, a natural substance, can clear up a yeast infection. There are other simple medications that also work.

I believe in seeing naturopaths but I would choose one that also uses medication. My cousin had cancer and he was treated with both naturopathic and standard medicine. I think it's best to take the best from both practices. Since naturopathic medicine is not helping you I suggest you try the other.

It is my understanding that yeast and fungal infections affect only the surfaceyou could possibly pump to feed your little one until the infection clears up for both of you. Ask what you can use to sanitize your nipple.

Most importantly, you are not making your baby sick. Infection is carried by both you and your baby. Your baby's eczema is not an infection. His skin Iis different. It can be caused by allergies. The only way you could be affecting his eczema with breast feeding is if you are eating foods to which baby is allergic. If your baby has not been seen by an allergist I suggest you do that. Uncontrolled allergies can lower immunity for other things.

Have you considered that your naturopath might be a quack?
It's not your milk that passes yeast, it's the skin to skin contact with you.
Even then I'd be skeptical about blaming physical contact with you and drinking your milk to be the cause of all his health problems.
But then if he's 21 months old, you are extended breast feeding and most of his nutrition he should be getting from other foods by now so it's ok to wean him (but toddlers still need cuddling - it's comforting for them).
Febrile seizure is caused by a high temperature (regardless of what infection he had) - sometimes Tylenol or Advil won't bring it down but it usually does.

http://www.quackwatch.com/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/Naturop...

Homemade "formula"? I would be very, very leery of this.

Is the doctor who is testing you tomorrow a doctor or a naturopath or some other alternative medical person?

Please, get your children back to the pediatrician. Have you told the ped about the homemade formula and shown the ped the recipe? It could contain ingredients to which your child is allergic. It could contain too little of some nutrients and too much of others.

You say you "know from my symptoms" that you are full of yeast, but has a medical doctor actually diagnosed you with something involving yeast or is that 100 percent from the naturopath?

Please heed the posts below saying that your naturopath may be a quack. Anyone can set up shop claiming to be anything and claiming to have any certification. Please get yourself to a doctor, and to specialists if needed, and please have someone check out this formula recipe. Just because your older child did OK on it does not mean that child got adequate nutrition, or that younger kids are going to be fine. I would not ever stop breastfeeding just on the advice of a naturopath -- he or she is NOT a lactation consultant, pediatrician or pediatric nutritionist.

Alternative medicine does have a place. My brother has been greatly helped by some forms of it, but he also extensively sees medical doctors and they know every alternative thing he is doing and taking. I am not coming at this hating alternative medicine. But where your children are concerned -- please see MDs, now. Take the time you take to post here and get to a doctor for those questions you're asking about mycosis, candida, fungal illnesses.

Please listen to Marda P. I second everything she wrote. I also value traditional naturopathic care as a complement to conventional Western medicine but your naturopath sounds a bit wacky. I'd get another opinion if I were you before you stop breastfeeding.

You are not making your son sick. Kids get sick a lot when they're younger. Their immune systems are still developing and rashes, colds, eczema, etc. are all really common at this age. Your whole post is fraught with anxiety that seems unwarranted. For example, getting a cold or fever after a holiday get together is really common...because kids are exposed to lots of people. My guess is that he's picking up a virus from contact with others, not having an immediate immune system failure from having a few too many cupcakes.

Believe me when I say that I absolutely believe in systemic health issues. I've done a couple of detoxes, take supplements, etc. and it has helped a lot with joint pain, sleep, and other minor health issues I've had. However, I think that your naturopath is attributing way too much of what your kids are going through - normal childhood illnesses coupled with some potential food sensitivities and possible allergies - to systemic issues that need to be treated, no doubt with lots of repeat appointments and supplements? Get a second or third opinion before you continue listening to this person.

I have never heard a medical professional say anything other than keep breastfeeding, short of the mom introducing chemicals (drugs). Even with allergies, your diet can be adjusted. Roseola is a very common childhood illness that can cause high fevers- that is a reasonable explanation. Heck, WHO even recommends that HIV positive moms in developing countries continue to breastfeed (NOT saying that anyone should do this, I am not a doctor!!) One of my son's friends has horrible allergies and I know his mom had to be on a paleo diet when he was tiny to avoid his allergens. Personally, I would investigate options like that rather than weaning before you and he are ready.

I agree with B, have you considered that your naturopath might be a quack? If it cannot be carried in your blood it cannot be transferred to your breast milk. So your naturopath doesn't know what they are talking about if they believe yeast can be transferred.

Thrush (yeast infection of the digestive system) is caused by breastfeeding but it is the transfer of antibiotics, which their tiny system can't handle, that kills all good bacteria in the baby causing a yeast bloom. Yeast itself is not transferred.

So to answer, no, haven't had this kind of situation because I don't trust fools with fancy titles.

I have to add that I can't help but wonder if all of your family's problems aren't caused by this quack's advice. Every food brings something to the table. If you remove some without the balance of others bad things happen. I am not a nutritionist so I don't know the different combinations that are essential, honestly the only lay people I know who have a clue are vegetarians. If you are going to go natural you need to be consulting a nutritionist, licensed and all that, because this person is hurting your family and apparently doesn't seemed concerned beyond they think they have a sucker for life.

Why did the naturopath tell you to stop breastfeeding rather than treat your yeast overgrowth last time?! That advice is extremely questionable. There are so many factors in your milk that are healthful for your baby and that cannot be replicated in homemade formula, not to mention that if the child does have allergy issues his custom-made milk from you would be preferable to goat milk (just guessing) and whatever else you mix with it. At 21 months no formula would be necessary if you weaned.

As someone else said yeast is passed between family members in a variety of ways (it is very tricky to remove from the home and takes a lot of work). Removing your milk with all its benefits from the mix will not necessarily eliminate the transfer so there is no need to jump to doing that this time.

There are very few illnesses that are transferred through human milk and require weaning.

You are not making your baby ill. It is normal for them to have illnesses. Roseola is a typical childhood illness. Fighting these sorts of germs is a good thing; it's practice for the immune system so when something really scary comes around it's ready. Febrile seizures, while very scary, do just happen with some kids. Of course if the baby is allergic to something you are eating (dairy, soy, etc..) removing those things from your diet and his would be helpful to him so he can avoid the allergen but removing breastmilk is not the magical solution.

Many of us have yeast overgrowth. It causes a lot of symptoms and I am sure we could all eliminate many of the carbs we are eating to aid in eliminating that issue. And as someone else said food intolerances/allergies also contribute to a number of the symptoms you listed. I would seek another naturopath's opinion. I see a naturopath as does my family so I value their medical opinion but the advice you received last time sounds very questionable so I would have a hard time relying on this naturopath's opinion.

You are not alone. Google candida and you will find that many others have these issues, along with allergic kids, etc. It's wonderful that you are looking beyond the immediate symptoms to get at the cause. You have to be comfortable with the recommendations that your health care provider suggests. Not all naturopaths (or MDs) are created equal.

As a mom that dealt with food allergies in my firstborn, it would be wise to have him allergy tested. That way you know for certain what to avoid. Exposing children with food allergies to these foods can also take a toll on their immune system, as well. Children do get sick from time to time, also, no matter how proactive you are. It's just the way it is!
You have yeast stuck in your mind, but have you considered that you might have food sensitivities as well? I know things like gluten sensitivity can cause all the symptoms you described with yourself. You might want to take your own health in mind and do a little research, not rely entirely on the advice of naturopath, especially if he/she wants you to give breastfeeding up. That just sounds a little wacky.

Did not read the responses but your son can get thrush and give it to you while breastfeeding and then you can give it back to him. I know because I'm experiencing this right now!

I think you need more answers. My DD had a rash and it turned out to be a FOOD ALLERGY - she can't eat apples. I would not quit nursing if you don't want to. Thrush (or similar) can be treated. I would seek a second opinion, especially in light of his seizure and other health concerns. I don't think the naturopath has all the answers, either and I am a bit surprised that someone who promotes natural health would negate the value of breastmilk.

Please read this link about thrush: http://kellymom.com/bf/concerns/child/thrush-resources/

I know nothing about the subject of your post but would it be reasonable to treat yourself for the yeast & continue to nurse ( if you want to continue obviously). That's assuming that you trust the opinion & plan of care given by the naturopath. If not, maybe a second opinion .