Roughly 30% of all babies will experience oral thrush at some point. But how do you know if it’s thrush or just milk tongue from nursing or formula feeding? How do you treat it?
Milk Tongue is simply that..a milky white coating on the tongue. It comes from the milk fats/formula fats, coats the tongue during and after feeding, and is harmless. Gently wiping away the milk with a damp cloth after each feeding clears it right up and reveals a cute little pink tongue underneath.
Oral Thrush on the other hand can coat the tongue, inside of the cheeks, and roof of the mouth. It will remain between feedings, can be smooth or bumpy, creamy white or yellowish in color, and is often uncomfortable for baby. When trying to gently wipe it away, it's difficult to remove, and what’s left underneath is red, raw, skin that is even more uncomfortable for baby.
What is Thrush and how can we treat it?
Thrush is a fungal infection formed by Candida Albicans and can occur in the nipples or breast tissue, as well as other areas of the body. It can be painful to the nipples and breast, as well as baby’s mouth.
Generally thrush will take 1-2 weeks to show up in your baby’s mouth, however you may notice a diaper rash by 1 week.
The first steps to healing the thrush is to check your own diet. Eliminate all refined carbs, including sugars of all kinds.
Mom can wash her nipples after each feeding, using a calendula extract added to water, or lemon juice, ACV, or baking soda added to water.
Gently wash baby’s mouth after each feeding with clean water. You can blend ACV, lemon juice, or baking soda into the water.
Wiping baby’s mouth before feeding with a clean swab.
Mom can also begin taking a full spectrum lactobacillus and acidophilus preparation. Baby can take an infant probiotic or a small dose of lactobiffidus daily.
Mom’s nipples and baby’s mouth can also be washed with a solution of 10 drops Grape Seed Extract to 1 ounce of water after each feeding.
Note: Gentian Violet has potential carcinogenic properties and should not be considered as a first line of treatment.
Other treatments can include not allowing the breasts to remain wet between feedings.
Applying Miconazole or nystatin ointments in very thin layers to the nipples between feedings.
Homeopathic Medicines for Oral Thrush
1. Borax –
Borax leads the chart of homeopathic medicines to treat Oral thrush. Persons needing it have white fungal growths in the mouth. Along with this, they complain of heat and tenderness in the mouth. Their tongue also appears cracked. They feel a bitter taste in the mouth. Sometimes they complain of bleeding from the lesions on touching them. Borax is top listed medicine for a treat this fungal infection in children.
2. Merc Sol –
Merc Sol is an effective medicine when there is thick fur like coating in the mouth, especially on the tongue. To this attend soreness, redness, and inflammation in the mouth. Along with this, there is an intensely bad odor in the mouth. There is also a complaint of excessive salivation. The saliva is soapy and stringy. The children needing this medicine have difficulty in nursing along with excessive crying.
3. Chamomilia -- inconsolable, irritable baby. Often accompanied by loose stools.
Dosage is to give 30c potency: Severe: every 1⁄2 - 1 hour (high fever bad pain)
Moderate: every 2 – 4 hours
Mild: every 4-8 hours
Resources for you:
downloadable PDF: https://www.lllc.ca/sites/default/files/Thrush%20Info%20Sheet-6.pdf
Homeopathy for Mother & Baby, Miranda Castro
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