Kids Health: Home Remedies for Thrush

Our children are so precious to us. When they come down with any kind of illness, it can be heartbreaking, particularly if it’s one that could have been prevented. For any ailments that your little one may suffer, a trip to the pediatrician is highly recommended. There is nothing wrong, however, with running a few natural, home remedies to run pass your physician.

Natural Remedies for Thrush

1.       Leave it be - Thrush will normally run its course within a couple of weeks. If your little one doesn’t seem to be suffering it is fine to just leave it be. Mothers who are breastfeeding, however, may find this especially difficult. Thrush may infect the nipples, leaving them painfully sore. Resolving thrush may also reoccur during the nursing cycle as baby re-infects mother and mother re-infects baby.

2.       Acidophilus/Bifidus – Did you know that yeast can be found in your intestines? To keep this yeast in check, good bacterium called acidophilus and bifidus as reside there. Thrush, which is overgrown yeast, response quite well to these two bacterium. Break open acidophilus or bifidus capsules and rub the power into the pockets of thrush in your infant’s mouth. You may also try making a paste by mixing the powder with baby’s milk. For children under the age of one, bifidus is the better choice as it is easier on the digestive system.

3.       Baking Soda – A solution of 8 oz. water and one teaspoon baking soda can quickly kill oral thrush. Baking soda changes the acidity of your baby’s mouth, making it an unappealing environment for yeast to grow. A solution of eight ounces of water and one teaspoon of baking soda is sufficient. Apply the solution to a cotton ball and swab your child’s gums, tongue, and cheeks. Use a new cotton ball between each feeding and don’t forget to swab the nipples if you are nursing.

4.       Vinegar – A mixture of one tablespoon of vinegar and one cup of water is a good way of treating thrush. Use a cotton swab to apply the solution to the nipples of breastfeeding mothers as well as the baby’s mouth after each feeding. Use caution if thrush is severe as vinegar can sting.

Preventing Thrush

The best way to treat thrush is to prevent it. For breastfeeding mothers, air dry you nipples following each feeding and use a mixture of vinegar and water on breast pump parts. Though the verdict is still out regarding its effectiveness, there are those that believe that giving baby sterilized water following a milk feeding will rinse away leftover milk and reduce the likelihood of yeast growth.

Some other useful tips include:

• Wash bras, breast pads, bottles, and bottle nipples in water that is at least 122º F. This will kill yeast. This temperature is TOO HOT for infants, however.
• Undergarments can also be microwaved on high for 5 minutes to kill yeast (not bras with underwires please).
• Sunlight also kills yeast. Hang clothes outside to dry.
• Discard all milk produced when a yeast infection is present.
• Wash pacifiers, teethers, bottles, and bottle nipples in a solution of water and 10% bleach. Rinse thoroughly.
• Kill hidden yeast on your undergarments by adding white vinegar to your washing machine.

Home Remedies for Thrush You Should Avoid

Though there are many more home remedies for thrush, I have chosen to only include the above. This is because everything that works is not safe. Things like essential oils, even when diluted, can cause irritation to baby’s delicate skin. Other home remedies for thrush that you may find elsewhere on the internet can cause problems far worse than thrush, including possible cancer. Please do your research before trying any home remedy and as always consult your physician for proper diagnosis and treatment of all conditions.