Overview
Oral thrush is a common, usually harmless fungal infection of the mouth in babies. It appears as white patches on the tongue, gums, or inside the cheeks that, unlike milk, do not wipe away easily. It can make feeding uncomfortable and is sometimes linked with a matching nappy rash.
Symptoms
- White or cream-coloured patches in the mouth that do not wipe off
- Redness or soreness underneath the patches
- Fussiness or reluctance to feed
- Sometimes a linked red nappy rash
- In breastfeeding pairs, sore or cracked nipples in the parent
Causes & risk factors
- Overgrowth of the yeast Candida, normally present in small amounts
- Immature immune systems in young babies
- Recent antibiotic use in the baby or breastfeeding parent
- Spread between baby's mouth and breast during feeding
Treatment & self-care
Treatment generally involves antifungal therapy prescribed by a clinician, along with hygiene measures for feeding equipment and, where relevant, treating the breastfeeding parent at the same time. A licensed clinician should confirm the diagnosis, as white patches can have other causes.
See a doctor urgently if
- Thrush does not improve after treatment or keeps returning
- Your baby is feeding poorly, losing weight, or has fewer wet nappies
- Your baby is very young, premature, or has a weakened immune system
- The infection appears to spread to the throat or skin
- You are unsure whether the white patches are thrush or milk