Thrush is caused by a yeast. The yeast grows around the mouth in areas that are irritated from too much sucking (as when a baby sleeps with a bottle). A large pacifier or nipple can also injure the mouth. A baby fed by a bottle or breast can get thrush. Thrush is not spread to others most of the time. If you are breast-feeding and your baby has thrush, it could cause thrush on your breasts.
A baby with thrush has:
The medicine for thrush is called nystatin oral suspension. Your doctor must prescribe it. Give 1 ml of the medicine 4 times a day after meals or at least 30Â minutes before you feed your baby. Place the medicine in the front of the mouth on each side. It doesn't do any good once it's swallowed.
If the patches of thrush in the mouth don't get better in 2 days, rub the medicine directly on the patches. Use a cotton swab. Keep giving the medicine until all the thrush has been gone for 3 days.
Only let your baby suck for 20 minutes or less per feeding. If it is painful for your baby to suck on a nipple, try to use a cup for a few feedings. If the thrush comes back after treatment and your child is bottle-fed, switch to a nipple with a different shape and made from silicone.
While your child has thrush, only use the pacifier when it's needed to calm your baby. If your baby is using an orthodontic-type pacifier, switch to a smaller one.
