Understanding and Treating Thrush

Thrush is a yeast infection that can develop on your nipples or in your breast. It can also infect your baby, showing up as white spots in their mouth or as a diaper rash.

Signs of Thrush

You may have

• Sore nipples that last more than a few days, even after your baby has a good latch
• Pink, flaky, shiny, itchy, cracked, or blistered nipples
• Achy breasts or shooting pain deep in the breast during or after feedings

Your baby may have

• White spots on the inside of their cheeks, tongue, or gums
• Diaper rash or red bumps on their bottom

Getting Treatment

If you think you or your baby has thrush, call both of your health care providers. You both need treatment at the same time to prevent passing the infection back and forth.

Your health care providers may prescribe

• Cream or ointment for your nipples
• Liquid medicine to swab inside your baby's mouth after every feeding
• Ointment for your baby's diaper area
• Pills for you to take

Finish the full treatment even if you or your baby feel better before it's done. This keeps the infection from coming back.

To Help Prevent Thrush From Coming Back

Keep things clean

• Wash your hands before and after feedings and diaper changes.
• Clean your nails well. Yeast can grow under nails.
• Wash your baby's hands before and after feedings.
• Change wet bra pads and diapers right away.
• Don't use bra pads with plastic liners — they trap moisture.

Care for your nipples

• Let your nipples air dry after each feeding.
• If air drying hurts, cover up with a cotton shirt.

Wash the following daily

• Wash bras, shirts, reusable bra pads, and towels that touch your breasts in hot, soapy water every day.
• Wash items that go in your baby's mouth (pacifiers, bottle parts, toys) in hot, soapy water.
• Boil these items in water for 20 minutes every day.

Rethink your diet

• Talk to your health care provider about adding probiotics like yogurt, fermented foods, or probiotic supplements.
• Limit alcohol, sugar, honey, cheese, bread, and wheat products. These foods can help yeast grow.

If you're pumping, talk to a WIC lactation consultant about extra steps to prevent thrush from coming back.

If Thrush Keeps Coming Back

Sometimes multiple family members can have yeast infections at the same time. If your household keeps getting yeast infections, talk to your health care provider for help. You don’t have to figure this out alone.