Oral Thrush in a Baby

Oral thrush is a fungal yeast infection in the mouth caused by a type of yeast known as Candida. Oral thrush occurs when Candida grows at an accelerated rate and affects the mucus membrane of the mouth and the tongue.

Cause

• Some babies get thrush due to excessive growth of yeast in the mouth. Oral thrush is not a result of poor hygiene. If a baby has a weakened immune system, then he may be more susceptible to the overgrowth of Candida.

Symptoms

• Babies with oral thrush often develop white spots throughout the mouth, including the tongue. In some cases, the spots connect and become larger. They also change color from white to yellow or gray. In most cases, a baby will not have pain, but the mouth may become sore and cause the baby to start to drool or not be able to eat properly due to irritation.

Treatment

• If oral thrush is mild, then an infection in a baby will improve without treatment. If oral thrush is more severe, then the doctor prescribes a gel, such as oral miconazole to smear inside the baby's mouth. Only a small amount should be applied at once or it may cause the baby to have difficulty swallowing. The baby may also start to choke. The medication kills the yeast that causes oral thrush.

Prevention

• To prevent oral thrush in a baby, sterilize toys, pacifiers and the nipple used on the bottle. You may want to use equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water to prevent fungal growth. If using a breast pump, any detachable parts that come into contact with breast milk should be washed in a water and distilled white vinegar solution.

Breastfeeding and Thrush

• According to the Mayo Clinic, if you breastfeed your baby and your infant has thrush, you should also seek treatment, as you may pass thrush back and forth. Nursing mothers can use an antifungal cream on the breasts to eliminate the infection.