Thrush is a common ailment in babies. Its symptoms are white spots on the tongue, the inside of the cheeks or on the palate of your little one. Thrush can cause discomfort for both your baby and yourself. Would you like to find out more about what thrush is, how to identify it and what you can do about it? Read all about it in this article.
What exactly is thrush in babies?
Thrush – also called oral thrush – is an infection of the oral mucosa caused by the fungus Candida albicans. This fungus is common in babies in the first few weeks after birth. It can cause pain and itching in both your little one and yourself.
Recognizing thrush in babies
Thrush is characterized by white patches in your baby’s mouth that won’t go away when you rub them over. They often sit on the tongue, palate, or cheeks. In some cases, thrush may be associated with diaper rash, as the same fungus can also affect your baby’s buttocks.
What are the signs to look for on your own body?
If your baby has thrush, this can be annoying for you too. Especially if you are breastfeeding. Your nipples may be painful, red, or swollen, and in some cases, small fissures may form. However, it is also possible that you will have no visible signs. But beware: pain during feeding can mean that you infect each other over and over again.
What causes thrush in babies?
In most people, the Candida fungus lives on the skin and in the mouth without causing any problems. But because the resistance of babies is still in full development, the fungus is able to take hold every now and then.
Thrush may come about in different ways. For example, during birth if the fungus is present in the birth canal or through your nipples if you are breastfeeding. Teats or fingers that have come into contact with the fungus can also transfer thrush.
Eliminating thrush in your babies mouth
If you suspect that you or your baby has contracted thrush, discuss the matter with your GP, especially if your little one does not drink as much as before. Fortunately, it is rarely necessary to treat thrush with medication, and mild variants disappear without treatment in most cases. Do you want to make it go away faster? Then follow these hygiene tips:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before and after feeding your baby and changing his or her nappies.
- Wash your nipples with lukewarm water after each feeding and dry them thoroughly.
- Boil bottles, pacifiers and pacifiers daily to avoid giving the fungus a chance to settle in.
- Wash towels, burp cloths and bras at a minimum of 60°C to kill the fungus.
- Replace your nursing pads after each feeding to ensure hygiene.
Of course, there are other reasons why a baby may drink less well. Do you want to know if other parents also encounter this and how they cope with it? Talk to other parents in the forum in our app. When in doubt, always consult a GP.
Keep an eye on your little one
Mild forms of thrush often go away without treatment, but keep an eye on how much your baby is drinking. If you notice that your little one is not drinking enough or that the symptoms are not improving, always contact your GP. With good hygiene, you can prevent you and your baby from infecting each other over and over again, and the fungal infection remains under control.
