Thrush in Babies

Babies, too, can suffer from candida yeast overgrowth. Candida albicans is a yeast fungus that naturally inhabits the body and is not considered harmful as long as it’s proliferation is under control. However, Candida yeast becomes a cause of concern when it starts growing abnormally. The main reason for the abnormal growth of yeast is the creation of an imbalance in the normal flora. Your baby can also develop thrush due to hormonal changes.

What causes thrush?

Intake of antibiotics by breastfeeding mothers can also create bacterial imbalance in the body of their babies which makes them prone to thrush. Not only this, even breastfed babies can pass the infection to their mothers due to which they can get a yeast infection on their nipples. But this is not always the case because sometimes a baby may not acquire Candida infections from his or her mother who has developed thrush and vice versa.

Many reasons have been given for the occurrence of thrush in babies like pacifiers or bottles and poor hygiene of bottle nipples. But thrush has also been found in babies who are breastfed.

If your baby has thrush then you may observe white patches on his or her tongue and on the sides of his or her mouth. Also, if your baby cries during breastfeeding or bottle feeding then the possibility of yeast infection cannot be ruled out.

Treatment of thrush

If you are curious to know how thrush can be treated then you will be happy to know that it will disappear on its own. There is no need to go for any kind of treatment. However, if your baby is looking very pale and uncomfortable then you should immediately contact his or her pediatrician. To relieve your baby’s discomfort and pain, he or she may suggest you to give an oral fungal medication to him or her. You need to use your finger to apply the medicine on the white patches. The infection can take one week to go away. In case if there is no improvement in your baby’s condition then you should inform his or her pediatrician about it and seek his or her advice. To protect yourself from getting thrush, he or she may also ask you to apply Nystatin to your nipples before nursing your baby.

Ways to prevent thrush

If possible, you should avoid giving unnecessary antibiotics to your baby as they kill useful bacteria and play a big part in paving the way for yeast infections. If your baby has developed the infection while passing through the birth canal then you can do nothing to prevent thrush. You should clean and sterilize pacifiers or bottles carefully. After breastfeeding your baby, you should give him or her sterilized water to drink to clear anything left in his or her mouth. While breastfeeding your baby, you should always remember to wash your nipples with water and let them dry on their own to protect your baby from getting thrush.

In general, thrush is not harmful for your baby and it will disappear on its own after some time but if your baby is feeling uncomfortable and experiencing difficulty in drinking milk then you should immediately contact his or her pediatrician. He or she may prescribe acetaminophen to relieve your baby’s pain and discomfort.