What causes infant thrush?
The oral yeast infection known as thrush develops when a bacteria called candida overgrows and becomes a detriment to the body. Although candida is normally a helpful and useful yeast found in the intestines, it can overgrow in the infant system, because babies’ immune systems have not developed enough to control the yeast overgrowth. Mothers who take antibiotics during the pregnancy or following the birth may be more likely to experience thrush in their own bodies and in their babies. Because the good bacteria in the intestine is killed by the antibiotic, the yeast is allowed to overgrow in the mother and baby’s systems. Furthermore, a new mother can pass the antibiotic to the baby through the breast milk, in turn affecting the baby’s immune system. A breastfeeding mother may notice thrush symptoms on her breasts and nipples, such as redness, swelling, or pain while breastfeeding. If your new baby is experiencing thrush symptoms, there is no need to panic. Although no parent wants any
