Thrush in the mouth

Thrush is an oral yeast infection caused by the fungus Candida albicans. It is usually not painful and often disappears by itself. White patches appear in your baby’s mouth, especially inside the lips and cheeks. These patches do not disappear when rubbed.

What to do?

See a health professional.

Candida albicans is easily passed from a baby’s mouth to the breasts during breastfeeding (see Nipple Thrush. If you’re breastfeeding, tell your health professional.

The fungus that causes thrush can remain on objects. Sterilize objects that come into contact with your baby’s mouth (bottle nipples, pacifiers, rattles) in boiling water (see Cleaning bottles, nipples and breast pumps) and replace them regularly.