Thrush is a yeast infection. If thrush has developed in your baby’s mouth, you may be alarmed, especially if you do not know the cause. You will also want to know how to treat thrush, and how to prevent it from recurring.
One of the most common causes of thrush in babies is the use of antibiotics. Although antibiotics are very useful, they can also disturb the natural balance of positive bacteria. Yeast infections can develop when the positive bacteria is destroyed.
In some cases, this occurs when antibiotics are given to the infant himself. As babies and small children are prone to ear infections and other troublesome conditions, many pediatricians routinely prescribe antibiotics for these conditions. While some babies have no adverse reactions at all to antibiotics, others develop thrush.
In other cases, babies can develop thrush from breastfeeding. If the mother is on a course of antibiotics, the medication can get into the baby’s system by way of the breast milk. In contrast, breastfeeding can often result in the mother becoming infected when the baby has thrush.
The basic act of childbirth can sometimes cause a baby to develop thrush. They can acquire the bacteria in the birth canal during birth. The mother’s hormonal changes during pregnancy can be a contributing factor, as this can make her more susceptible to a yeast infection.
When an infant has thrush, it is necessary to restore the balance of positive bacteria in his mouth. An easy way to do this is by feeding him yogurt. This popular food product contains the kind of bacteria needed to eliminate the yeast in his mouth.
Another important factor in treating thrush is cleanliness. Not only do you need to keep your baby’s mouth clean, cleanliness also covers everything which he puts into his mouth. His bottles, toys that he chews or sucks on, and anything else which comes in contact with his mouth should be cleaned thoroughly and regularly. This is partially for the purpose of ensuring that he will not be recontaminated, but also to ensure that it will not be passed on to anyone else who handles these items.
Regardless of your youngster’s age, it is important to refrain from using mouthwash or other oral hygiene products which are made for healthy adults. Not only are these products too strong for an infant in general, they will further destroy the healthy bacteria which he needs in recovering from thrush and avoiding its recurrence. It is also essential that you not attempt to remove the spots of thrush from your baby’s mouth. To do so can lead to painful sores and bleeding, which will affect his ability to breastfeed or use his bottle.
There are also oral medications for thrush. If your baby has developed this condition, your pediatrician can advise you about whether your baby can benefit from medication.
If your baby develops thrush, it is not a reason to panic. Treating it carefully and consistently should result in the problem being temporary, and lower his risk of developing it again.
