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Wondering how to treat oral thrush in babies? We’ve put together a helpful guide for you.

You have most likely seen a white coating on your baby’s tongue and wondered if it is a serious condition or run-of-the-mill growing pains. What you are seeing is called ‘thrush’ and can happen for loads of reasons. It is very treatable.

The most common oral fungal infection in infants appears soon after birth in their first few weeks. 

In general, the symbiosis between mom and baby may find the Candida Albicans – a white yeast-like fungus that lives in the human body – passing back and forth between the two. 

If the mom had a yeast infection while pregnant, the baby might have picked up the infection in the birth canal. With their still weak immunity, they likely could not resist the organisms, thereby leading to Candid Albicans’ overgrowth.

If the mom is stressed from lack of sleep and she lives on sugary foods for an instant energy infusion, the sugars are passed in breast milk feeds. Candida Albicans proliferates in a sugary, acidic environment in the baby’s mouth, all the way down the oesophagus to the gut and the other organs. 

Thrush Will Happen

As it is above in the mouth, the white patches of yeast infection appear below in the diaper area, too, leading to extreme discomfort for the baby. The mom’s breasts may inflame with infection around the nipples. 

No matter how cautious you are in caring for your baby’s gums, there are always risks of cross-infection if either you or your baby are on medications such as prednisone, inhaled corticosteroids, or antibiotics.

Your baby may also be susceptible to infection if they have a caregiver who has a yeast infection and that person has poor hygiene practices. 

In addition, your own poor diet that is high in sugary and fatty foods or dairy always poses a risk of Candida Albicans overgrowth. This is especially true when warm area nipple-to-mouth cross-infection becomes a reality. 

Symptoms To Look Out For

According to Healthline.com, if you notice that your baby is fussing and screaming, look in the mouth. If there are white or red irritated lesions on the gums, tongue, and oral cavity; and the corners of the mouth are dry and cracked; then you are looking at a case of thrush. 

Other symptoms include:

• Bleeding when wiping away the white residue;
• Difficulty feeding or sucking;
• Baby refuses to nurse or is fussy and irritable when nursing;
• Ointments are not able to help treat diaper rash;
• Baby has lots of wind because of the excess yeast in the gut;
• Cross-infection with the mom occurs as burning, cracked, or itchy nipples;
• Nursing is difficult because of the stabbing pain in the breast; and
• The areolas, the dark circle around the nipples, appears flaky or shiny. 

A dentist can examine your infant to check for telltale signs of oral thrush. Sometimes, they may need to take a swab or sample of infected tissue and look at it under a microscope to confirm. 

If there is evidence of a Candida infection, the sample may be cultured to confirm the diagnosis. If you feel your baby’s mouth needs a thorough check-up, having dental insurance like Affinity Dental can help get you to a registered Dentist while keeping the costs affordable and manageable. 

Treatment For Thrush In Babies

Many babies are irritable when they have thrush infection, and it’s possible for the thrush to clear without treatment. However, there is the chance that if left untreated, the lesions will grow. There is also the possibility that the treatment will take longer to clear the infection if you delay seeking help.

The key to effective treatment is to treat your cross-infection simultaneously. Health experts say it is best to speak to your doctor about the most effective and compatible treatment for you and your baby.  

The oral thrush may disappear within days, but if treatment is necessary, antifungal treatment is the most common medication prescribed. This takes the form of nystatin drops for the baby. These drops are spread inside the oral cavity several times a day over ten days, while a cream or an oral preparation of the cream treats your breasts if you have the infection as well.

Although oral thrush in babies usually disappears within two weeks without treatment, the infection requires monitoring from parents or caregivers. 

Prevention

Post-treatment preventative measures are necessary to reduce the possibility of recurring infection.

Experts recommend the following cleansing routines:

• Wash all dummies and toys that your baby sucks. Replace dummies and bottle teats every week;
• Sterilise all breast pump parts;
• Discard damp breast pads;
• Wash all clothing in warm water;
• Constantly wash your and your baby’s hands; and 
• Use a cloth and water to clean the baby’s bottom.

Moreover, clean and dry your breasts with clean cotton wool after every feed.