Keeping Your Baby Safe from Yeast Infection – Babies Are Not Immune to Yeast Infection
Posted on 24. Nov, 2009 by Salli Smith in Women's Health
Babies are very fragile. We probably do everything to keep them safe. And one disease that you should probably keep an eye on is yeast infection. Yup, yeast infection also occurs in babies. In fact, this is a common childhood sickness.
The reason for this is that babies do not have protective bacteria in their mouth making them at risk from contacting oral yeast infection or thrush. This is an infection that babies should not have as this is very irritating. So as a parent, you should ensure that your baby is safe from thrush.
Symptoms of thrush in babies are usually the presence of white patches in the baby’s mouth and the sides of the mouth. It is irritable and can cause discomfort to your baby. Thus, most babies with thrush cries a lot.
Similar to adult yeast infections, thrush in babies is also caused by the overgrowth of the fungus, Candida albicans or yeast. This fungus is naturally occurring in all human bodies: babies or adults, healthy or sick. Their presence in the body is not really a problem until they start overgrowing and causes infection.
Babies would usually acquire thrush when they are taking antibiotics. As we know, antibiotics can kill not only bad bacteria but also good bacteria. This lowers the defense system of the baby allowing Candida to grow and multiply. This will result to your baby getting yeast infection.
Another factor that can lead to the development of yeast infection in babies is the mother. Due to hormonal imbalance during pregnancy, mothers are also prone to yeast infection. And once they get yeast infection and not treat it well or they were not able to treat it, they can transfer the infection to their babies during childbirth. This is because the baby may swallow some of the secretions in the birth canal and this may include yeast infection. Thus, pregnant mothers have to make sure that when they experience yeast infection during their pregnancy, they have to be totally cure from the infection before childbirth.
There are also times wherein breast milk can cause yeast infection in babies. But you would need to confirm this to your doctor if your baby really needs to avoid breast milk. Bear in mind that breast milk is also the best medicine for infections in babies. This is because milk contains pro-biotic that will increase your babies’ defense against harmful bacteria like yeast.
You can also help prevent yeast infection in babies by considering what area the infection can occur. For example, infection can occur in the diaper area so you have to make sure that your baby is dry at all times. You must not let the diaper stay too long before changing and you have to let some fresh air on the baby’s bottom when you remove the diaper. A mild anti-fungal cream would help if your baby already has the infection.
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