How to Recognize Thrush in Babies

Posted by Carolyn in Baby/Childcare | Comments Off

Dealing with thrush can be an exhausting (and painful) battle for many new mothers. Unlike simple diaper rash, thrush (which is actually a yeast infection) can cause symptoms both in mother and baby, if the mother is breastfeeding. Here are a few ways to tell if your baby has thrush.

Diaper Rash
The rash from thrush (a yeast rash) has a few identifying characteristics that make it different from other types of diaper rash. Thrush will often cause a bright red rash that feels “prickly” to the  touch. The rash is often solid red with a defined border, with stray red spots outside of the rash area. Also, this rash will usually appear first in the front of a baby’s genital area, where urine usually collects inside the diaper.

“Cottage Cheese” Mouth
Another sign of thrush in babies is a “cottage cheese” appearance in the mouth. When you look inside your baby’s mouth, you’ll see white patches clinging to the tongue, cheeks and sometimes the lip tissue. These white patches are a sign of a yeast infection.

Difficulty Swallowing
Since thrush can be painful for a baby, it may cause your baby to have difficulty swallowing. This will be apparent during feedings, especially if your baby becomes unusually fussy.

Refusal to Eat
Since eating is also painful for a thrush-infected baby, this may cause a loss of appetite. If your baby fusses and refuses to eat, but shows signs of hunger, they may be having trouble with feedings due to a thrush infection.

What Should I Do?

Since thrush can be difficult to treat, you should first consult your pediatrician for advice or medications. At-home remedies for thrush include diluted grapeseed extract, homeopathic fungal creams and a warm bath mixed with baking soda.