Tongue Thrush

thrush questions??

how common is thrush? when does a baby usually get it? i am breastfeeding and i am worried about it. my baby has no signs of it but she is a month old and has a tiny bit of white on her tongue is this normal for the milk to coat her tongue? also, are there ways to prevent it?

Public Comments

1. It is very common, just depends on the child. I am a mother of 3 kids and 2 of them had it. There is no real way to prevent it but when I gave them there bath with the face rag I would wipe off there tongue and gave them water. The doctors say there is no need for water but I disagreed with that. You can never get enough water. There are times when I just want some water why wouldn't my baby feel the same way.
2. my mom says that when we were little and we got it she wrapped her finger in cotten, wet it, squeezed the water out, dipped her finger in honey and cleaned our mouths with it once a day till it went away.
3. yes its completely normal for a baby to have a white tongue since the only thing they get is milk thats why the color is white its common but not normal if you ever had a yeast infection then you are more prone to having one but it doesnt mean you'll necessary have one and when you usually have thrush you also have a vaginal yeast infection as well...umm just eat yogurt its good for all that and try to keep your nipples dry not moist yeast thrives on that and change your breast pads often...dont worry about enjoy breastfeeding as much as you can...
4. You really can't prevent it but take a baby's wash cloth wet it with warm water and gently wipe your baby's tongue until it is clean and give your baby a little bit of water about an ounce or two that should keep it under control.
5. kind of like yeast infections...some people tend to get them, some dont. Yes babies tongue will look white///after all, she is eating all the time! To prevent: Yeast LOVES wet warm, sweet places....keep breasts dry, change bra or nursing pads if you use them, often. Also, avoid eating too much white sugar...none (if you can!) is best. You will most likely notice signs of thrush on yourself before you see signs on baby. If your nipples feel itchy...dry, flaky, are bright pink or red...i mean its like symptoms you CANT ignore.....get help early...a home remedy is a shot of vinegar (fill the cap and drink it down) three times a day...dont use this as prevention though.... more women DONT get thrush than DO.....relax and enjoy your baby!
6. OMGoodness, don't ever give HONEY to a child under 1yo. The white you are seeing on your baby's tongue is likely just a milk stain. The difference is, if you cannot gently rub off the white marks, then it is likely Thrush. More often Thrush has multiple symptoms in both the mother and baby, however, it can sometimes be in only one or the other. For Mom, often the first sign is a vaginal yeast infection and or "itchy, burning and or red" breasts/areolas. For babe, the symptoms can be white patches on the inner cheeks of the mouth, red patchy diaper rash, fussyness at the breast (because of mouth soreness). Some culprits to cause this nasty yeast outbreak can be: -not washing/sterilizing breastpump parts -pacifier use -antibiotic use by Babe or Mom Just stay away from pacifiers or at least keep them clean and replace them often. Wash all breastpump parts in HOT soapy water. Allow your nipple to air dry as often as possible after nursing. Wash hands before and after diaper changes and after you use the restroom. Take probiotics and eat active yeast cultures (like yogurt/acidophilus) when you or your babe are taking antiobiotics.