September 25
What Is Baby Yeast Infection?
Yeast infection occurs not only in adults but in babies as well. Baby yeast infection can be passed down from the mother, or it can be something that the child acquires from the food and drink he or she takes in.
Yeast infection is a type of infection caused by the excessive multiplication of a fungus called Candida Albicans. This fungus naturally grows in the body, but can lead to infection if they abnormally increase in number. Some of the things that bring about this drastic increase are the changes that the body undergoes.
In babies, yeast infection usually occurs on the tongue. The tongue is a conducive place for yeast to grow. The alkalinity level on the tongue constantly changes due to the different types of food and drink taken in. Also known as thrush, yeast infection can occur on the tongue if the tongue is not kept clean.
Tongue thrush in babies is visible when a baby smiles. Tongue thrush is usually thought of as milk. However, if the baby also has diaper rashes, chances are the baby has tongue thrush and that the white traces are not just milk.
Rest assured, though, that tongue thrush or yeast infections in babies is not harmful, although it does cause irritation and discomfort to the baby.
What Can Be Done to Prevent Baby Yeast Infection?
Simply brushing the tongue will not be enough to remove the white residues. The baby might need to be seen by a doctor or take medications in order for the baby yeast infection to be treated.
It does a lot of good to take preventive measures to ensure that the baby does not get yeast infection. Below are some of these preventive measures.
- Always wipe the baby’s tongue with a wet washcloth after the baby eats so that food particles are not left in the mouth.
- Refrain from putting sugar in the baby’s food or drink.
- A breast feeding mother should take precautions if she acquires thrush in the nipples.
