Thrush in Babies - How to Prevent It?



Thrush is a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans in the mouth. For children, this infection can cause discomfort during sucking and feeding. There is nothing to worry about, though, as thrush in babies is quite common and can be treated easily. 

Prevention of Thrush 

There is an old adage: Prevention is better than cure. So, how about stopping thrush from occurring altogether? You can take a few simple steps to prevent your child from suffering the discomfort caused by this yeast infection. 

Hygiene  Since the most common transmission of thrush in babies occurs during feeding time, it is vital that you cut it out at the source. Candida albicans loves milk, and how you feed the child does not matter. The fact that a child's immune system is not fully developed at birth compounds the problem when you realize that women suffer from yeast infection on a reasonably regular basis themselves. 

So, the best way to tackle thrush is by maintaining excellent cleanliness. Make sure that the feeding apparatuses are absolutely clean. Yeast can form on the bottle’s nipple quite quickly, so ensure that the bottle, the nipple, and the ring is cleaned properly. 

Mothers Beware – Mothers can transmit this yeast infection to babies too. So, it is imperative that mothers look at yeast infection signs in their own bodies. If you see any symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. Vaginal yeast infection normally occurs during the last three months of pregnancy. In that case, your doctor would ideally want to treat it before delivery to avoid transmitting the infection to the child at the time of birth. 

Antibiotics – Antibiotics disturb the balance of micro-organisms that are supposed to prevent thrush. So, if your baby is taking antibiotics for some reason, it might make the little one vulnerable to thrush. The best thing to do in this scenario is to breastfeed since breast milk has antibodies to build up a child's immune system. Also, make sure that you wash your baby's mouth after giving him/her antibiotics. 

Please note that these are some general tips to help you prevent thrush. In case your child has thrush, make sure that you consult a pediatrician. 

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