How to Prevent Baby Thrush

Thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by Candida fungus, which is also known as yeast. It is common in babies. You can tell if a baby has thrush because the inside of his checks and tongue will be lined with a white substance that resembles cottage cheese. Candida is usually in the mouth and is kept under control by other bacteria, but stress, medications and illnesses can throw things off balance and result in an infection.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Avoid unnecessary antibiotics. Giving your baby antibiotics can throw off the balance of bacteria in the mouth which can result in a thrush infection.

2. Sterilize bottles and pacifiers. Makings sure that items that go inside of your baby’s mouth are clean and sterile may help to prevent thrust.

3. Let your nipples air dry between feedings. This can help prevent a yeast infection on your nipples, which can in turn prevent you from passing an infection to your baby during feedings.

4. Wash breast pumping parts thoroughly to avoid getting a nipple yeast infection that can be passed along to your baby during feedings.

5. Expose your breasts to sunlight. Yeast does not survive well in the sunlight, so exposing your breasts to it can help starve off a yeast infection of the nipples which can be passed along to your baby.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have yeast infection in your nipples, consider supplementing. Yeast infections can be passed back and forth from mother to baby during feedings, making it hard to cure.
• Talk to your child's doctor if you believe your baby has thrush.

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