Common in toddlers, thrush is a mild oral fungus but can cause pain when feeding or bottle-feeding. Local care and rigorous hygiene make it possible to overcome it.

Oral thrush manifests as a whitish patch that appears on a baby’s tongue, gums, and inside cheeks. Unlike milk deposits, this “coating” does not disappear when you rub gently. Her mouth is dry and small cracks may appear at the corners of her lips, which are often red and swollen. The contact of milk on the lesions can be painful and cause crying during feedings and bottle-feeding. Left untreated, the fungus that causes thrush can spread to the digestive system, causing vomiting, diarrhea and / or diaper rash.

Candidiasis (mycosis) without seriousness, thrush is explained by the proliferation of a microscopic fungus naturally present in the mouth, the Candida albicans.

After confirming the diagnosis, the doctor will prescribe local antifungal treatment. Be careful to continue it for 2 weeks, even if the thrush seems to have disappeared after a few days. After each meal, you can gently clean the inside of your baby’s mouth with a sterile compress soaked in alkaline water such as Vichy Célestins® or Saint-Yorre®. Then, to administer the prescribed antimycotic gel, the easiest way is to make it suck by putting a small amount of the product on its pacifier, on the rounded side of a small plastic spoon or on your finger.

If you are breast-feeding, the Candida albicans there is a high risk of infecting your breasts. Breast candidiasis is manifested by irritated nipples, the formation of cracks and / or scabs accompanied by itching or even pain. To treat it, you must apply the prescribed antimycotic gel to your child after each feeding. Other precautions: shower twice a day with an alkaline pH soap such as Saforelle® or Hydralin®. And regularly change breast pads and bras to limit maceration and therefore the proliferation of the fungus.

To avoid recontamination, sterilize their teats and bottles 24 to 48 hours after starting treatment. If you are breast-feeding, also consider sterilizing the breast pump. Wash your hands thoroughly before putting your baby to the breast or preparing a bottle, after changing it, and after treating his mouth. Without forgetting to clean regularly with hot water all that can be in contact with his mouth: his blanket, his rattles, the pipettes of vitamins… Last precaution if you do not want to suffer in your turn from an oral fungus: lose the habit of putting your child’s pacifier in your mouth to clean it when it has fallen off.