Oral thrush is a common baby ailment, usually recognisable by a white tongue or white patches in your baby's mouth. It might sound concerning, but in most cases thrush is harmless and easy to treat. In this article, you'll learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatment of thrush, along with practical tips for dealing with it.
What is oral thrush?
Oral thrush is an infection of the mouth's mucous membrane caused by the yeast Candida albicans. It's more common than you might think: almost 5% of babies under six weeks develop it. You'll recognise thrush by white patches in the mouth - on the tongue, the inside of the cheeks, or the roof of the mouth. This can range from a few white spots to a fully white tongue. In most cases, thrush is harmless and clears up on its own.
Note: a white tongue can also be caused by milk residue. The difference is easy to check - thrush can't be wiped off, milk residue can.
How does a baby get thrush?
Thrush is contagious and is passed from the mother (or another close caregiver) to the baby, for example via the nipple, a dummy, or fingers. The yeast is often carried unnoticed. Certain situations make you or your baby more susceptible, for example:
- Cracked nipples
- High stress levels
- Taking antibiotics or having reduced immunity
- A sugar-rich diet
In breastfed babies, thrush is often linked to cracked nipples, which are in turn often caused by an incorrect latch. Struggling with latching, or want to prevent cracked nipples? A lactation consultant can help.
Thrush in the mother
A baby with thrush can pass it on to their mother. In the mother, this shows up on the nipples during breastfeeding: they feel painful and burning, may flake, and often look dark pink and shiny - similar to your baby's tongue.
Symptoms of thrush
A white tongue doesn't necessarily bother your baby. It becomes more difficult when itching or pain is also involved. Watch for the following signs:
- Frequent crying
- Refusing to feed
- A clicking sound while feeding
- Releasing the nipple or dummy quickly
- Nappy rash (sometimes)
What can you do yourself?
Thrush usually clears up on its own, but extra hygiene helps:
- Clean your nipples thoroughly before and after breastfeeding with lukewarm water and, if needed, a mild, fragrance-free soap. Pat them dry with a clean cloth afterwards and change breast pads after every feed.
- Wash your hands after every toilet visit, every nappy change, and before feeding.
- Wear light, breathable clothing - tight clothing can make hygiene harder to maintain.
- Wash any fabric that comes into contact with your baby and milk (muslin cloths, towels, nursing bras) at a minimum of 60°C.
- Boil bottles, dummies, and breast pump parts daily.
Preventing thrush
To reduce the risk of thrush:
- Wash your hands regularly, especially after a nappy change, a toilet visit, or before feeding.
- Keep dummies and bottles hygienic: boil them daily.
- Prevent cracked nipples with a proper latch - a lactation consultant can help with this.
- Choose breathable clothing; tight or synthetic fabrics can irritate the nipples.
When is medication needed?
Thrush is treatable and usually harmless, though it can take up to three months for your baby to be completely clear of it. Taking too long for your liking, or does your baby seem clearly bothered (lots of crying, refusing to feed)? Contact your doctor. They can prescribe medication to give with a dropper or spoon; the fungus often clears within a week. If you're breastfeeding, the doctor may also prescribe a miconazole cream for the nipples.
About this article
This article is part of a series on common baby ailments. The information has been carefully put together to support new parents. Every child is different: if symptoms are severe or persistent, always contact your doctor or health visitor, who can best assess your child's specific situation.
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