Breastfeeding and Candida

Last night I gave a lecture and PowerPoint presentation at a local hospital to a group of Lactation Consultants (Lactation consultants are health care professionals who specialize in the clinical management of breastfeeding).

These women, who were mostly nurses, meet several times a year for inservices and educational updates on how to better serve and support ‘their moms’ to overcome challenges in breastfeeding.

I was called in to do a presentation on the topic of “Natural Approaches to Candida Challenges in the Breastfeeding Mom.”

The woman who invited me was aware of my work as a Holistic Nurse and Integrative Health Coach and my specialization in the topic of Candida overgrowth and candidiasis. I don’t always say ‘yes’ when invited to speak on various topics (because of my busy schedule and desire to stay focused on ‘project at hand’), but when I heard about the serious challenges that these moms were having – I felt compelled to share my knowledge with this community.

Here’s their challenges (which knocked my socks off!)…..

Candida overgrowth is shared between Mom and Baby and many antibiotics and antifungals meds are being ‘given out like candy’ to both Mom and Baby.

(Candida overgrowth shows up as painful ‘mastitis’ [breast infection] and thrush in baby which can lead to more systemic infection).

One reason for this happening is that IV antibiotics are given prophylactically (that means preventatively) as a routine during childbirth, especially C-sections. (OMG! and probably without recommended probiotics.)

This sets up the perfect environment for candida to get out of control, especially when coupled with Mom’s hormonal changes from giving birth (plummeting progesterone) which can lend itself to candida issues as well.

Another causative factor of candida overgrowth are high levels of heavy metals, especially aluminum. Many times pregnant women take antacids, that have high levels of aluminum, for their nausea. {if you are interested in learning more about how heavy metals, especially aluminum, can affect pregnancy, childbirth, and baby here is an awesome book: He’s Not Autistic, But… by Tenna Merchant, MH, ND}

Candida naturally forms around heavy metals to protect the body from these metals, but it creates an overgrowth situation.

We know that antibiotics wipe out the good flora that help the immune system and many times make candida/yeast conditions worse – and we know that antifungal meds can have challenges to different body systems, especially to the liver. But this is all that conventional medicine knows to do.

It saddens me to think that so many people don’t know about natural alternatives, or things that can prevent or complement regular treatment.

Here are things we discussed as supportive measures and ways of beating the candida issue naturally:

–Diet (always with Candida!!!)
Getting rid of sugar and simple carbs
Eating these candida fighting foods:
Coconut oil (lauric / caprylic acid)
Garlic
Onion
Seaweed
Almonds
Ginger
Olive oil
Lemon / Lime Juice
Pumpkin seeds
Cayenne pepper
Cultured / Fermented Vegetables
–Probiotics (I like Young Living Life 5)
Yogurts and Kefirs (plain, no sugar)
–Gentian Violet
–Stress Reduction (helps balance ph)

One of the best things to use – for Mom and Baby is Coconut oil – for topical use and also for Mom to eat (and Baby can start ingesting after 6 months).

–Castor Oil packs on breasts can help tremendously –Mom can put a little oregano oil on bottom of her feet (ONLY therapeutic grade such as Young Living).

I ended the evening making a healthy sugar-free avocado pudding with my NutriBullet (see ingredients in photo below).

Why am I sharing this with you?

1 – First off, I know you often hear me talk about ‘staying focused’ on what your direction is in your business and not to say ‘yes’ to every opportunity that comes your way – BUT sometimes you may feel that your ‘service’ takes precedence over your immediate business need – and to THAT I say YES!

2 – Maybe you know people in this situation who you can share this information with.

3 – To be an example to many of you who also have specialized knowledge that can help certain populations of people with challenges where they see ‘no way out’. I encourage all of you to share your gifts and ‘Share Your Care’ where you can. People need what you have to offer and that is why I’m passionate about helping YOU – when I teach my marketing courses and trainings – it is all about this – YOU HELPING OTHERS … AND getting paid for what you do too!!!

And if this is something that resonates with you – if you are a health care or wellness professional who wants to really get yourself out there with your specialized offerings, then I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you consider getting on my Priority List for my 3 Day LIVE Event in the Spring called RISE! Here is more info…www.marileetolen.com/risepriority/

Here is a photo of what was in my ‘avocado pudding’.

(BTW – this Wonderful Organic Virgin Coconut Oil is sold at COSTCO!)

Tags: breastfeeding, Breastfeeding and Candida, candida, coconut oil, lactation