Q: Using Grapefruit Seed Extract

We're dealing with thrush :( and I picked up some Grapefruit Seed Extract today. I have been reading on www.drjaygordon.com and it says to mix 10 drops with an ounce of distilled water and then swab in baby's mouth and on mama's nipples.

What the best way to get it in Faye's mouth? Can I just use my pinky?

Also, it says to swab the baby before nursing and the mama after nursing. Does this mean I use the entire ounce each time we do this?

I'm sure this is obvious, but since I've never done it before, I'm very confused. Help!!!

Mary
Lane - April 2003
Faye - March 2005

[marinkitty]

Can't help on the GSE - I take the capsules but never used the extract, but just wanted to say I'm sorry you guys are dealing with thrush. We haven't had it back, but it so ISN'T fun. I hope you can beat it quickly!

Holly
Mom to Mia (3.17.03) and baby brother Jack (3.23.05)

[Rachels]

Just use your pinky, and just use enough of the GSE to cover her mouth and your nipples pretty well. You can save whatever is left in a sterile container.

-Rachel
Mom to Abigail Rose
5/18/02
New baby coming in October!
(Holy smokes, it's a boy!!!)


"When you know better, you do better."
Maya Angelou
http://www.gynosaur.com/assets/ribbo...ethyst_36m.gif
Nursed for three years!

[TonFirst]

GSE was the ONLY thing that cleared up the thrush in Adam's mouth!

I didn't want to use my pinky because I was extremely yeasty and was paranoid about cross-contamination, so I bought a box of those Johnson's baby cotton swabs - the ones with the giant cotton tip. They worked like a charm for getting the stuff in there.

You definitely won't need the entire ounce - an ounce would last me a day or two. I also used the big cotton swabs to swab my nipple, now that I think about it.

I never tried the GSE but had great success with Genetian Violet which is also a liquid that said to swab in babies mouth. I purchased the baby q-tips - those are the ones that are shaped a little differently and have a really big tip. I would dip the q-tip into the liquid and let it soak up the genetian violet they rub that around in DD's mouth. Those baby q-tips are larger so they soaked up more of the liquid that a regular q-tip would. They worked great.

[houseof3boys]

I'm so sorry Mary!!! I never used the GSE on either of the kiddos when we had it but I did drink it and it tastes NASTY. Just wanted to warn you if you hadn't tasted it yet. It is good stuff and I use it in the laundry too, but the taste is horrendous. I used to drink it twice a day and ended up adding a splash of cranberry juice to it and would do a shot of it since I couldn't handle much more than that.

I hope it clears up soon my dear. :) Thrush is so awful and I still take my acidophilus every single day in hopes of never ever having to suffer with it again.

Debbi -
I got some acidophilus capsules too. How many should I be taking?

Faye didn't make any strange faces when I dabbed her mouth with the dilluted GSE. I haven't tasted it, but I've been applying it after feedings. Thanks for the warning!!

I had a very, very mild case with Lane. It's much worse this time around. :( I hope you never ever get it again!!! You've certainly 'paid your time'.

Mary
Lane - April 2003
Faye - March 2005

[houseof3boys]

I take 4 billion a day now but when I had thrush, I took 2 capsules. Mine is a blend of several different types and I know that bifudus is one that is recommended for thrush. I am not using the Whole Foods brand but Jarrow is another one that I used before. I also have some of the powdered one for infants too and you put some of that on your nipples before they nurse (or in the bottle but if I remember correctly you were having probs with Faye and the bottle). There are soooo many variables with the acidophilus dosings but I think I looked on kellymom and read every single link to find out how many was appropriate. Of course it's no where to be found in my favorites folder so I can't link the exact article for you. Sorry!

The GSE is great for you to take too but just remember to shoot it instead of drinking it in a big glass of water. I would take the GSE and the acidophilus to knock it out.

Hope it goes away quickly my dear.