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Infant Thrush Symptoms

As you gaze at your infant, you notice a spot of milk on her tongue, and you lean over to wipe it off, only to find it doesn't come off. This is a classic symptom of thrush, a common condition in infants. While rarely dangerous in healthy infants, thrush can cause feeding difficulties, so learn to spot the infant thrush symptoms in order to seek treatment for your child when necessary.

  1. Causes of Thrush Symptoms

    • Thrush is caused by a yeast infection in the mouth. Everyone has yeast in his digestive system, but if the levels of yeast become imbalanced, he develops thrush. Infants are prone to this infection because they often come in contact with yeast during the passage down the birth canal. Babies who take antibiotics or are exposed to antibiotics in breast milk can also be at higher risk of thrush because the antibiotics kill the helpful bacteria that keep the yeast levels in the right balance.

    Oral Symptoms

    • The first sign of thrush in an infant typically appears in the child's mouth. Infants with thrush will develop white lesions in the mouth with a cottage cheese-like appearance, as described by Mayo Clinic. Some mothers say the lesions look like milk left in the baby's mouth after feeding. These lesions cannot be wiped away easily. If the spots do come off, they leave behind a distinctive raw area. The lesions appear on the tongue, inner cheeks, gums, tonsils and roof of the mouth, with the cheeks and tongue being the most obvious and prevalent places in infants.

    Other Symptoms

    • In addition to the oral symptoms of thrush, babies with thrush may be irritable. This can be distinguished from colic because babies with thrush become fussier when it is time to eat or when sucking on a pacifier, and eating is often difficult. If the baby is breastfeeding, the infant can pass the infection to the mother. Many nursing moms notice thrush first when they get an infection. It causes shiny, flaky skin on the areola or red, sensitive and itchy nipples. It can also bring uncommon pain during and between feedings.

    Medical Intervention

    • Many babies have the white patches that indicate a thrush infection with no other symptoms. In these cases, the thrush will likely clear up in a few weeks without medical help. Babies who cannot nurse well because of thrush symptoms should see a doctor. An oral fungal medication that is painted on the baby's mouth speeds healing. Nursing mothers also must be treated to keep the infection from spreading back and forth.

    Preventing Thrush Symptoms

    • Parents can do little to prevent thrush as a result of yeast exposure during birth. After birth, parents can prevent thrush by using antibiotics, but only when absolutely necessary. Roper sterilization of bottle nipples and pacifiers can help as well. Breastfeeding moms can protect themselves by allowing their nipples to dry completely after feedings, because the yeast which causes thrush only lives on damp skin. Preventing a thrush infection in mom will help prevent it in the nursing infant.

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