Why does my breastfed baby keep getting thrush?

Understanding Thrush in Breastfed Babies
Thrush, a common yeast infection caused by the overgrowth of Candida albicans, can be particularly troublesome for breastfeeding mothers and their infants. This condition manifests as white patches in the mouth of the baby and can lead to discomfort during feeding. Understanding why your breastfed baby keeps getting thrush involves exploring its causes, transmission, and preventive measures.
Causes of Thrush in Breastfed Babies
Thrush thrives in warm, moist environments, making the mouth of a breastfeeding baby an ideal breeding ground. The infection can occur when there is an imbalance in the natural flora of the mouth, allowing the yeast to proliferate. Factors that may contribute to this imbalance include:
– Antibiotic Use: If either the mother or the baby has been prescribed antibiotics, it can disrupt the natural balance of bacteria and yeast, leading to an overgrowth of Candida.
– Immature Immune System: Newborns have developing immune systems, which may not effectively combat infections like thrush.
– Poor Latching: If the baby is not latching properly during breastfeeding, it can lead to nipple pain and create an environment conducive to thrush.
Transmission Between Mother and Baby
Thrush is highly contagious and can easily be transmitted between mother and baby. If the baby develops thrush, it can infect the mother’s nipples, leading to painful symptoms such as cracked or sore nipples. Conversely, if the mother has thrush, she can pass it to the baby during breastfeeding. This cyclical transmission can make it challenging to eradicate the infection completely.
Symptoms to Watch For
In babies, thrush typically presents as white patches on the tongue, gums, or inside the cheeks. These patches may resemble milk residue but do not wipe away easily. In mothers, symptoms may include sharp, shooting pain during breastfeeding, redness, and irritation of the nipples. Recognizing these symptoms early is crucial for effective treatment.
Treatment and Prevention
Treating thrush usually involves antifungal medications for both the mother and the baby. It’s essential to follow a healthcare provider’s guidance to ensure both parties are treated simultaneously to prevent reinfection.
To help prevent thrush, consider the following strategies:
– Maintain Good Hygiene: Regularly clean pacifiers, bottles, and breast pump parts to minimize the risk of yeast overgrowth.
– Monitor Antibiotic Use: Discuss with your healthcare provider the necessity of antibiotics and explore alternatives when possible.
– Ensure Proper Latching: Seek assistance from a lactation consultant to ensure your baby is latching correctly, which can help reduce nipple trauma and the risk of thrush.
Conclusion
While thrush can be a frustrating and painful experience for both mothers and their breastfed babies, understanding its causes and implementing preventive measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of recurrent infections. If thrush persists despite treatment, it’s important to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation and management.

How can I prevent thrush in my breastfed baby?

How To Help Prevent The Spread Of Thrush

• Good, regular hand washing, especially after the toilet!
• Keep nipples dry and avoid breast pads if possible, otherwise, change them regularly
• Use disposable for once-off use only or change reusable every feed and wash in high temperature and wear clean
• Breathable cotton bras

What helps clear up thrush in babies?

Oral thrush is usually harmless. It’s common in babies and also older people with dentures. It can be treated with antifungal mouth gel.

How do you stop oral thrush from coming back in babies?

Regularly sterilise dummies, teething rings, the nipples of feeding bottles and anything else that goes in your baby’s mouth, to prevent a build-up of the candida yeast that can cause oral thrush.

What causes recurring thrush in babies?

Thrush often occurs when mother or baby has taken antibiotics. Antibiotics treat infections from bacteria. They can also kill good bacteria, and this allows yeast to grow. The yeast thrives in warm, moist areas.

Is thrush in babies caused by poor hygiene?

It is more common in babies younger than 10 weeks, but older babies can also get it. Some babies have repeat episodes of it. Oral thrush is rarely due to poor hygiene. It is unlikely to mean that your baby is ill in any other way.

Can oral thrush be a symptom of something else?

Several conditions can mimic oral thrush. These include: frictional keratosis: a persistent, usually isolated, low-grade irritation of the oral mucosa. hairy leukoplakia of the tongue: commonly seen in HIV patients.

Why does my breastfed baby keep getting oral thrush?

It can also affect babies if they have been recently treated with antibiotics. If you have been breastfeeding and have recently had antibiotics, then your own healthy bacteria can be affected making you more at risk of thrush infection. This infection can then be passed on to your baby during breastfeeding.

Is it better to spit or swallow nystatin?

Put the medicine in your mouth. Keep it in your mouth for at least 30 seconds if possible, swilling it around your mouth like a mouthwash before you swallow it. Do not eat or drink anything for 30 minutes after taking it. This stops you washing the medicine out of your mouth too soon.

What can be mistaken for thrush in babies?

While a white tongue is often harmless, it can signal a more serious health condition like oral lichen planus or oral leukoplakia. Other less serious conditions that mimic oral thrush are geographic tongue, canker sores, coated tongue, and “milk tongue.”

Are you more prone to thrush when breastfeeding?

Breast and nipple pain in breastfeeding women is sometimes caused by a thrush (candida) infection in the breast. Breastfed babies can also develop thrush in their mouths. Thrush infections sometimes happen when your nipples become cracked or damaged.