- Newborns may also be exposed to yeast infections at birth. Many Moms experience yeast infection during pregnancy as a result of the hormone changes. A stressed newborn with its immature immune system can develop a yeast infection.
- Often infants because of the warm often moist conditions of diapers will develop a yeast infection. The yeast infection is most often seen as diaper rash. (Note: diaper rash can have other causes as well.)
Yeast Infection In Babies
Most yeast infections are caused by the fungus Candida Albicans. Most of the time yeast infections will resolve themselves except in people with weakened or immature immune systems. Infants are prone to suffering from yeast infections as their immune systems are fully developed.
Other situations can lead to yeast infections in babies, these include:
- Use of antibiotics. Though an antibiotic is useful when fixing a bacterial infection in the ear or throat, antibiotics are not specific to go just to the ear or the throat. As a result the normal bacteria in the body can be decreased with antibiotics leading to a yeast infection. Without the balancing of the bacteria the yeast will overgrow.
- In sensitive individuals a dietary imbalance with a die high in sugar or sweets can lead to an overgrowth of yeast. This happens since yeast's main growing food is sugar.
Oral yeast infections known as thrush in the US are a common reason infants do not want to drink formula or breast feed. Oral thrush is a yeast infection of the mouth. An oral yeast infection generally is seen as white almost cheesy patches on the tongue and gums. When a Mom is breast feeding a yeast infection will often show as sore or cracked nipples. Oral yeast infections in infants need to be treated by your healthcare provider.
Diaper rashes can be treated by keeping the skin dry. Using a liner to wick away moisture from the skin can help. During naptime place your baby on a open diaper and let the skin air dry. Check soon after they start dozing as many babies pass their urine soon after falling asleep. Replace the diaper with a dry one. When possible let your baby go without a diaper to let the skin dry out.
Avoid using creams with boric acid or phenols or methyl salicylate unless prescribed by your healthcare provider. Your baby is tiny and the doses in the creams can be harmful unless used carefully under the supervision of a healthcare provider.
Thanks to Aneta Blaszczyk for sharing her photo.
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