Trush

31/01/2024

Thrush in Babies: What Is It and What Can You Do?

How nice that you're reading along again!
With my blogs, I want to support parents in parenting and raising their children. Even though it can sometimes be challenging, this period is also very special and something you can enjoy. Try to see challenges not as problems, but as phases that are simply part of the journey. Enjoy reading this blog!

What is thrush?

Thrush is a common condition in young babies. It is caused by a yeast—Candida albicans—which creates a white coating inside your baby's mouth. These white patches often appear on the tongue, the roof of the mouth, or the inside of the cheeks.

You can recognize thrush because these spots cannot be wiped away. If they can be removed easily, they are probably just milk residue.

Thrush occurs most often in babies younger than six weeks, but older babies can get it as well.

How do you recognize thrush?

Thrush can cause discomfort for both the baby and the mother. You may notice:

White patches in the mouth that cannot be wiped away
Restless feeding or frequently letting go of the breast or bottle teat
Crying during feeding or difficulty latching
Pain during breastfeeding, such as a burning or stabbing sensation in the nipple, even after feeding
Cracked nipples, flaky skin, or shiny-looking nipples

How does thrush develop?

The yeast that causes thrush can enter your baby's mouth in several ways:

During birth (through the birth canal)
Through the nipple during breastfeeding
Through contaminated objects such as a pacifier, bottle, nipple shield, or an unwashed finger

When breastfeeding, you and your baby can keep passing the infection back and forth, which is why treatment is sometimes needed for both.

Do you always need to treat thrush?

Not always. If your baby has no symptoms, you usually don't need to do anything—thrush often goes away on its own.

However, if you notice that your baby:

cries a lot
drinks poorly
spits up frequently
or seems to be in pain

it is wise to contact your general practitioner (GP). The doctor may prescribe treatment:

Up to 4 months: a gel containing nystatin
From 4 months: a gel containing miconazole

If you are breastfeeding, you should also treat your own nipples with miconazole to prevent reinfection.

Below you will find two examples of nystatin and miconazole. They are available by prescription from your GP and may be covered by your health insurance.

Nystatine Acis – productpagina

Kruidvat Miconazolnitraat 20 mg Anti-schimmelcrème

What can you do to prevent thrush?

Good hygiene is very important. Here are some things you can do to prevent or reduce thrush:

Always wash your hands after changing a diaper, feeding your baby, or using the toilet.
Boil pacifiers daily for about 3 minutes.
Store pacifiers and bottles in a clean, dry place.
Clean your nipples with lukewarm water before feeding.
Let your nipples air-dry well after feeding.
Always use clean nursing pads and change them regularly.

My experience as a mother

I personally experienced thrush several times, especially with my second and third sons. They were busy times, and sometimes I was less careful with hygiene. Unfortunately, this caused quite a few problems: cracked nipples, painful nipples, and even a fungal infection around the areola.

I tried using nipple shields, but that often only made the problem worse. Fortunately, it usually cleared up quickly—but it did require attention and care.

Some parents I supported eventually decided to stop breastfeeding because of the persistent pain and recurring thrush. That is a difficult decision, and not one you make lightly as a parent. That's why it is important to seek help in time and to know what you can do yourself.

Finally

Thrush is unpleasant, but it is usually harmless and can be treated well. By maintaining good hygiene and paying attention to the signs, you can prevent many problems or deal with them quickly.

Thank you for reading.
Take good care of yourself, be yourself, and care for your child with love.
Until next time!