How To Get Rid Of Baby Thrush

Symptoms, 7 remedies to get rid of thrush in babies & when treatment is needed

Read about...

• Causes Of Baby Thrush
• Baby Thrush Symptoms
• When Is Treatment Needed?
• 7 Baby Thrush Home Remedies

Causes Of Baby Thrush

Many babies develop a mild form of this yeast infection during their first months of living. It is caused by the fungus Candida albicans, which we all have in our bodies. However, if it grows if can result in different infections of which oral baby thrush is a common problem.

The thrush can come if breastfeeding mom or the baby is given antibiotics. Other possible reasons are constant suckling on a pacifier, especially if it is not cleaned regularly. (For tips on how to take care of your baby's pacifiers, click here.)

But the truth is, that the reason why so many young babies get oral thrush is actually unknown. Babies get it regardless of being breastfed or bottle-fed and regardless of of they use a pacifier or not.

Baby Thrush Symptoms

If it looks as if your baby still has a coating of milk in several places in her mouth (not only on the tongue), and the coating does not disappear after a few hours, it is likely to be baby thrush.

The picture to the left shows a borderline case. The baby has a thin coating, and it could very well be just milk. But if the coating doesn't go way, spreads or become thicker, one would suspect oral thrush.

Severe thrush in babies is easier to diagnose; if it looks like your baby has patches of cottage cheese in the mouth that doesn't wear off easily, it is highly likely to by thrush. And if you wear it off, the area beneath will be raw and red and maybe even bleed.

In the image to the left, you can see an example of severe infant thrush - you can see the cottage cheese looking fungus on the tongue.

If your baby has symptoms of thrush and breastfeeding mom starts experiencing breast or nipple pain, you might be infected too. Learn all about nipple thrush and how to treat it here.

Another possibility is that you are developing mastitis; another type of breast infection. For mastitis symptoms and remedies, read this article.

When Is Treatment Needed?

If either mom or baby has disturbing symptoms, go to a doctor.

For your baby, a good start is to ask his or her health care provider if the coating you see in the mouth really is fungus. If it is, then the next question will be whether to medicate with for example Nystatin, which is a prescription antifungal liquid, or if available home remedies can be tried as first option. If the thrush is severe, the best option is probably to medicate.

If the fungus is not very spread, you can try any of the home remedies or alternative cures described below.

7 Baby Thrush Home Remedies

• Gentian Violet
• Sodium Bicarbonate
• Fresh lingonberry jam
• Grapefruit Seed Extract
• Wash Toys, Pacifiers And Breast Pumps
• Eat Lactobacillus Acidophilus
• Air-dry Your Nipples

Gentian violet

Before trying this remedy for your baby's thrush, you should be aware of a recent study raising concerns about the safety of using gentian violet for treating thrush as it may cause cancer in animals if used in large amounts. (You'll find references to the research at the bottom of this article.)

The remedy has been in use for a long time and there are no reported incidences of cancer in humans. Discuss with our baby's doctor if you want to use gentian violet. If you decide to go ahead, make sure you buy the Gentian Violet 1% solution. (Here at Amazon) Not the 2%-solution, which is also often available. You can find the dye at many drugstores or order it from the pharmacy. Use a cotton swab to coat the inside of your baby's mouth.

It is easier if you ask someone to help you hold your baby when you apply the gentian violet. Also undress your baby and make sure that you are not near anything that might be destroyed from a few stains.

Apply the dye once or twice per day for up to three days. Apply Vaseline to your baby's lips before using the dye, to avoid purple lips on your baby.

Sodium bicarbonate

Otherwise blend 0.5 teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate (bought in any drugstore) in 0.4 cups (1 dl) of plain water.

Again use a cotton swab to coat the inside of your baby's mouth. You should do this after every breastfeeding (if you breastfeed) or as often as you have the energy to do it. I can tell you I certainly did not do it a night with my children and the baby thrush disappeared anyway.

Coat your nipples too, since that may help the fungus go away faster.

Fresh lingonberry jam

Personally I prefer the sodium bicarbonate treatment, because lingonberry jam has such a strong taste. It seems a bit tough for a baby who has never tasted anything but breast milk or formula.

Treat you baby the same way as if you use sodium bicarbonated water.

Grapefruit Seed Extract

To use this remedy, buy a bottle of citricidal Grapefruit Seed Extract and mix 10 drops with one ounce of distilled water. (Do not use tap water; it can make the treatment less effective.) Apply to your baby's mouth and your own nipples once every hour and also before every feeding in your baby's mouth and after every feeding on your nipples.

If you see no improvement after two days, increase the concentration to 15 drops per ounce of water, and then finally to 20 drops per ounce. If this is not enough to clear the thrush within a day or two, you should probably discuss medication, such as Diflucan, with your doctor.

Wash toys, pacifiers and breast pumps

If you want to be very thorough, you should sterilize all these things after every use while your baby's treatment is going on. This is of course the best.

I confess, I didn't! And it worked anyway. But then, my children only had quite mild attacks of thrush.

You can kill the fungus by washing the products in hot water, boiling them, put them in the micro oven on full effect for 5 minutes or let them soak in 10% bleach. Just make sure to rinse anything put in bleach very thoroughly afterwards!

Eat lactobacillus acidophilus

Air-dry your nipples

Yeast fungus love moist, warmth and sugar. Stop the fungus from growing on your nipples by washing them and letting them air-dry after breastfeeding as often as you can.

I know, it looks very funny to walk around with bare nipples, but it is worth it! Just make sure to tug your sweater down before answering the doorbell...

Related Content

• Nipple Thrush Symptoms, Prevention And Treatments
• All About Mastitis (Breast Infection)
• Breastfeeding Latch Video Gallery

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