Oral thrush is a yeast infection that can appear in a baby's mouth. It can even be spread back and forth from mother to baby while breastfeeding. Thrush is caused by excessive growth of the yeast. White patches in your baby's mouth that do not wipe off easily may indicate thrush. Treating the thrush in your baby's mouth is important. Vinegar can be used as a solution to treat the thrush. Diluting vinegar with water to use as a cleaning solution or rinse can be very helpful to prevent the spread of yeast.
Vinegar and Thrush
Yeast, or candida, is a fungus that appears in all healthy bodies naturally. Yeast grows fast in warm, most environments such as your baby's mouth. It is usually caused by increased yeast in your body. Yeast is a sugar-eating fungus. Sugar is present in mouths, which helps oral thrush thrive. Vinegar is acidic and yeast will tend to avoid acidic areas.
Vinegar Treatment for Baby's Mouth
Mix vinegar with water to create a solution that you can apply to your baby's mouth, your breasts or even for cleaning bottles. Mix 1 tbsp. vinegar with 1 cup water to dilute the solution. Use a cotton swab to gently swab your baby's mouth. Make sure to use fresh swabs each time. If needed, your breasts can be rinsed with this solution. If your baby is bottle-feeding, continue to complete vinegar treatments in your baby's mouth after each feeding.
Oral Thrush and Breastfeeding
A baby and mother can continue to pass yeast back and forth if not treated properly or together. Nipples may be red or itchy. Both baby and mother need to be treated for thrush to prevent reinfection. Breasts and nipples tend to be covered with nursing pads and bras when a woman is breastfeeding. This warm, moist environment can cause yeast to increase rapidly. Even if a mother rinses with vinegar solution daily, the yeast may not go away. It is best to talk with your doctor for further treatment.
Thrush and Your Baby's Environment
Even if you are not breastfeeding, your baby can still pass yeast back and forth from bottles as well as pacifiers. Using vinegar solution, you can treat items around your house to prevent the spread. It can be added to the dishwasher and washing machine. You can even add vinegar to your baby's bath. Vinegar has been used as an alternative to some medications. It is still recommended to talk to your health-care provider before using vinegar to treat any health problems.
