Thrush in infants is caused by multiplication of a fungus called Candida albicans. It causes white, creamy lesions on the inner cheeks and tongue that can be very painful and may bleed when touched. While it usually does not cause serious complications in healthy babies, it may make feeding painful. Thrush can also spread to the nipples during breastfeeding. Feeding an infant with thrush requires careful attention to hygiene to prevent a worsening of symptoms or re-infection during or after treatment.
Step 1
Begin treatment with antifungal treatment immediately. If you are breastfeeding, use an antifungal cream on your breasts while your baby takes an oral antifungal medication. Consult a medical professional for the type of medication, as well as the dosage, needed in your particular situation.
Step 2
Apply any antifungal cream to your baby's mouth using your clean fingers or a cotton swab, if prescribed by your doctor. Do not use the applicator that comes with the medicine, as you risk contaminating the medicine by doing so.
Step 3
Rinse your nipples off with clean water after breastfeeding your baby. Allow them to air dry and then apply the antifungal cream to the entire area. You do not need to wipe off the cream before nursing, according to University Hospitals.
Step 4
Limit the amount of sugar in your diet if you are breastfeeding. Avoid breads, honey, alcohol and dairy products to discourage yeast growth in yourself and in your baby.
Step 5
Encourage your baby to eat by giving him extra time during feedings, allowing him to start and stop as he is comfortable, and distracting him from discomfort by gently rocking him during feedings.
Step 6
Rinse your baby's mouth with clean water after feedings to remove any milk that may remain. Milk residue left inside her mouth encourages additional growth of yeast.
Step 7
Offer older infants yogurt that contains lactobacilli to help control the thrush and ease pain and other symptoms.
Step 8
Feed pumped milk to your baby within 24 hours. Freezing does not kill the yeast responsible for oral thrush.
Step 9
Rinse nipples, pacifiers, detachable breast pump parts and anything else that comes into contact with your baby's mouth or your nipples with equal parts water and vinegar. Do this after every feeding, and allow the items to air dry. Alternatively, boil nipples and other items for seven minutes after washing normally.
Things You'll Need
- Antifungal medication
- Cotton swabs
- Yogurt with live cultures
- Vinegar
