Oral Thrush In Infants

Oral thrush is a very common infection in infants that causes irritation in and around a baby's mouth. It is caused by the overgrowth of the yeast (a type of fungus) called Candida albicans.  Candida overgrowth can lead to vaginal (yeast) infections, diaper rashes, or oral thrush.

Most people (including infants) naturally have Candida in their mouths and digestive tracts, which is considered normal growth. The amount is controlled by a healthy immune system and some "good" bacteria. If the immune system is weakened (due to an illness or medicines like chemotherapy), or if the immune system is not fully developed as is the case in infants, the Candida in the digestive tract can overgrow and lead to an infection.

Sometimes Candida overgrowth occurs after a baby has received antibiotics for a bacterial infection, because antibiotics can kill off the "good" bacteria that keep the Candida from growing. Similarly, infection can occur with the steroid use.

Oral thrush can affect anyone, although it's most common in infants younger than 6 months and in older adults. A baby with oral thrush might develop cracked skin in the corners of the mouth or whitish patches on the lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks that look a little like cottage cheese but can't be wiped away. Scraping the white patches off can cause some bleeding.

Many babies don't feel anything at all, but some may be uncomfortable when sucking. Some babies may not feed well because their mouth feels sore.

Babies can have oral thrush and a diaper rash due to the same yeast at the same time.

Although oral thrush is a common infection in infancy, you can help prevent it: If you are formula-feeding your baby or using a pacifier, it's important to thoroughly clean the nipples and pacifiers in hot water or dishwasher after each use. That way, if there's yeast on the bottle nipple or pacifier, your baby doesn't continue to get re-infected. Storing milk and prepared bottles in the refrigerator prevents yeast from growing.

If you are breastfeeding and your nipples are red and sore, there's a chance you may have a yeast infection on your nipples, and that you and the baby are passing it back and forth. If so, you may want to talk to the doctor about using an antifungal ointment on your nipples while the baby is being treated with the antifungal solution.

Changing diapers frequently also prevents the fungal diaper rashes.

See your doctor if you think your baby may have thrush. Some cases go away without medical treatment within a week or two, but the doctor may prescribe an antifungal solution for your baby's mouth. This medication is usually applied by painting it on the inside of the mouth and tongue with a sponge applicator.

And depending on your baby's age, the doctor might suggest adding yogurt with lactobacilli to your child's diet. The lactobacilli are the "good" bacteria that can help eliminate the yeast in your child's mouth.

If your child keeps getting oral thrush, especially if he or she is older than 9 months, talk with your doctor because this might be an indication of another health issue.

Reviewed by: Yamini Durani, MD
The above article was found HERE.

FOUR WAYS TO TELL IF YOUR BABY HAS THRUSH

Location – thrush is usually visible on the inside of the cheeks and lips, on the gums, and on the tongue. If present, it will usually spread to 3 or 4 of these places inside the mouth. A thin coating on the tongue only may simply be milk. However, a thick white coating on the tongue is probably thrush.

Does not come and go – thrush will usually hang around for weeks. Milk patches inside the cheeks and lips, on the other hand, will come and go with feedings. A milk coating on the tongue, however, can be more stubborn, often staying there for weeks as well.

Does not easily wipe off – use your finger and try to wipe away the white patch. If it comes off easily, it's probably milk. Thrush is harder to scrape away, and can even bleed slightly when removed.

Associated factors – if either baby or a breastfeeding mom has recently taken antibiotics, or your baby has a stubborn, raised, red diaper rash with outlying red spots (yeast diaper rash), then any suspicious white patches in baby's mouth are much more likely to be thrush.

This was found HERE.  (Dr. Sears)

Also, because mom and baby have such a high chance of passing it back and forth during breastfeeding, make sure you're not only treating Baby.  You can express a little breast milk and spread it around your nipple, letting it air dry.  And I've read several things about using white vinegar after nursing.  (One tsp vinegar to one cup water.)  Pat a little on your nipple and let it air dry.
Make sure to treat your bra too.  Freezing doesn't kill yeast.  But sunlight does.  You can hang your bra out in the sun (exposing your nipples to sun can help too...though there really wouldn't be a lot of chances to do that around my house without having an entire condo of retirees getting a free show).

I'm not a fan of giving my children any kind of antibiotic unless it is absolutely necessary.  And when it comes to infants...I think we all need to think this way.  Doctors are way too quick to prescribe something, when there are many other, MUCH MORE NATURAL ways to cure it.  Thrush is no different.  Here is a link to Natural Mothering.  Lots of fantastic (natural) advice on there.

It's not something that is all that uncommon.  I've heard of it happening a million times.  Just make sure that if it's something that is long-lasting, or re-occurring, that you have your Dr. check your baby for things like diabetes, or other immune system problems.

*Also, just a thought here, I wonder if it's something that happens more often after vaccination?  During that time the body is under attack, the immune system is lowered and more prone to picking up other disease/illnesses...it'd make sense that it could also lower the immune system enough to allow it to be attacked by candida...or to cause it in the first place.