How to Care for Your Baby with Oral Thrush: A Parent’s Guide

What Causes Oral Thrush in Babies? 

Oral Thrush can be caused due to yeast or fungus which is commonly present in everyone. Oral thrush in babies is very common, because the newborns have an underdeveloped immune system or may be under antibiotics to treat any bacterial infections, so they are more prone to oral thrush than others. 

Candida that is present in the gastrointestinal tract can thrive in the oral region and can grow rapidly resulting in white patches or cracks in and around the buccal cavity. 

Does Every Baby Get Affected by Oral Thrush? 

Not every infant can get affected. But as per Ayurveda, infants with weakened immune systems, bad gut bacteria, lack of good gut bacteria to fight the infection, low birth weight, and babies who are formula-fed are highly prone to getting infected by oral thrush. 

How to Know Whether Your Baby is Infected With Oral Thrush?

They are infants and it’s not easy to find out what they are going through. But here are a few tips for new mothers to find whether your child is having oral thrush. 

• Cracks and bleeding around the corners of the mouth. 
• White patches on the tongue, cheek, lips, gums or roof of the mouth. 
• Sometimes your infant may find difficulty in swallowing or sucking the milk. 
• Crying with pain can also be seen in oral thrush in babies. 

Also Read:- 5 Amazing Home Remedies for Fungal Infections

How to Treat Oral Thrush in Your Infant (Breastfed)? 

Firstly, it’s more important to check whether the mother of the infant has any candida infection if the infant is breastfed. If the mother has candida infection, the symptoms can be as follows: 

• Burning or pain during nursing.
• Cracking or bleeding or pain in and around the nipples. 
• Pain in the breasts. 

So, the mother should get treated first with natural ayurvedic medicines as they can be safe for lactating mothers and children. This can be harmful as the infant and mother, both may get back and forth infections transmitted from one another, so it’s highly necessary for the mother to get treated first to prevent oral thrush in babies. 

Below are some of the natural remedies a mother can follow to reduce the risk of transmission: 

• Apply coconut oil or olive oil over the areola or nipples and gently rub. Both coconut oil and olive oil have antifungal properties which can help in relieving the patient from thrush. 
• Honey is said to have excellent antifungal properties and is highly recommended but because of the risk of botulism, not all honey is considered to be taken. Medihoney is a medical-grade honey that doesn’t cause botulism and gives the patient relief from thrush too. It is safe to consume and prevent oral thrush in babies. 
• Frequent cleaning of breasts with natural soap and warm water can help to prevent microbial growth which can reduce the symptoms of thrush. 
• Biotin is a rich source of immunity-boosting properties, pregnant women will be deficient in biotin, so taking biotin supplements can help in fighting candida infections and prevent thrush.

Tips to prevent babies from getting infected:

• Coconut oil can be applied to the babies as well.
• If you are storing your breast milk, make sure you store it in the refrigerator to prevent the yeast growth.
• Wash your baby hands often as they keep putting their finger in their mouths. 

How to Treat Oral Thrush in Babies (Formula or Bottle Fed)? 

If the mother is infected with any fungal infection, then the above tips apply here too. In addition, extra care must be taken if the infants are bottle fed. Because, the risk can be doubled here, as your baby is devoid of IgA antibodies which play a crucial role in building strong immunity, and the essential vital nutrients and minerals that breast milk has. So the babies don’t have the full capacity to fight against infections and the crucial care is needed. Mothers should follow all the above mentioned natural remedies even if your baby is bottle fed, along with that, you need to follow the below tips too. 

• Sterilize the towels, utensils, bras, breast pump parts, and all the other things that come in direct contact with both the mother and the infant. 
• Sterilise bottles after every use in boiling water to kill the growth of fungi. 

Conclusion

Remember one thing, infants lack a strong and fully developed immune system and need extra care and support from parents. Oral thrush in babies is very common and you need not worry, natural remedies can be of great help and Seek Ayurvedic medical advice if the condition exaggerates, ayurveda can be absolutely safe in both the mother and children.