Thrush in Babies: Natural Remedies that Work

Think your baby has thrush? Here’s how to diagnose thrush in babies, treat it naturally, and even prevent it from reoccurring.

Does your baby have thrush? Here’s how to diagnose thrush in babies, treat it naturally, and even prevent it from reoccurring.

While it’s normal for infants to have white-coated tongues after feeding, how do we know for sure if these white bumps aren’t in fact oral thrush in babies? Here, we’ll show you how to spot thrush in babies, how to treat it naturally, and how to prevent it from recurring.

What Is Thrush in Babies?

Thrush, or oral candidiasis, is an accumulation of the fungus candida albicans in the mouth that causes white lesions, or sores, that look more like cottage cheese than the normal milky whiteness associated with babies’ milk tongue from breastmilk or formula.

This fungus is normally present in everyone’s mouth, but thrush in babies occurs more frequently in infants because of their weak immune systems.

Breastfeeding moms are at risk to get thrush too, since the infection can pass to mom’s breast (and oppositely, mom can pass it back to baby) and cause serious discomfort and pain.

Baby Thrush Symptoms

The key to identifying thrush in babies is by simply examining your baby’s mouth, cheeks, and tongue very carefully. And watch your baby’s eating habits closely.

Here’s what to look for:

  • White lesions on child’s tongue and cheeks. These can be raised spots, a super thick coating, or overall tissue irritation
  • Loss of appetite in baby
  • Discomfort in baby while nursing

The lesions in baby’s mouth can cause pain and loss of taste, so it’s understandable that baby may be fussy.

White spots inside a baby's mouth

[Image Source]

Thrush symptoms in breastfeeding moms

When thrush is passed to a nursing a mom, you might find that:

  • Your nipples are unusually red, cracked, sensitive, or itchy
  • You experience pain while nursing
  • Your nipples feel sore between feedings

While all breastfeeding moms know nursing can be painful at times, pain from thrush is more intense, deeper than usual, and does not go away when your baby is done feeding. (source) Be sure to try this DIY nipple cream that greatly reduces nipple pain.

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What Causes Thrush in Babies?

The fungus or yeast that causes thrush is naturally occurring and prevalent in most people’s bodies. Thrush happens to many new moms and babies, though one study found it occurred less in homes where there was a furry pet, like a cat or dog. The good news, though: It is a common occurrence (especially in breastfed babies due to the warm moist area yeast likes) and is treatable.

Antibiotics

Our bodies, and our babies’ bodies, have a natural balance of microorganisms that keep us healthy. Bacteria sounds like a bad word, but there’s good bacteria and bad bacteria and antibiotics don’t discriminate. So, when mom or baby has to go on antibiotics, this disrupts the natural flora balance and makes us more susceptible to thrush. Luckily, there are so many wonderful ways to restore our balance, which we will talk about in the prevention section below. (source)

Weakened immune system

If neither you nor baby have been on antibiotics, there are other things that can weaken your immune system, such as illness, a poor diet, being exposed to harsh chemicals or just not getting enough sleep (very common with a newborn!). Check out this post for natural ways to boost your immune system.

Natural Thrush Treatments

If you go to your pediatrician, they will usually prescribe oral nystatin or fluconazole for you and baby. These are antifungal options that have been proven effective. But if you want to try to avoid these if possible, these are some excellent natural options. (Just be sure to get your doctor or pediatrician’s approval before using these natural remedies for thrush.)

1. Probiotics found in yogurt and breastmilk

If your baby is too young for yogurt there are safe probiotics for babies that you can look into. My doula recommended rubbing a serving of acidophilus powder on my nipple while breastfeeding, as this benefits both you and baby and your infected areas. You can make this DIY nipple cream that will give baby probiotics but also reduce your nipple pain dramatically.

2. Reducing sugar intake

If you are a nursing mom, reducing your sugar intake is essential, as a sugary diet can make symptoms worse (another reason why some moms and midwives are not fans of nystatin, which can contain sugar in order to make it palatable for infants, but it’s effectiveness is reduced in the process). (source) Focus on organic protein like eggs, chicken, beef, bison, turkey, wild caught fish and whole cultured dairy products. Add in tons of cooked organic vegetables in the form of soups, stews, or purees. Raw salads topped with homemade salad dressing with raw garlic are also excellent. Include small amounts of gluten-free grains like oats, millet and quinoa and plenty of healthy fats like butter, olive oil, avocado, and seeds. Keep fruit to only 1 serving per day of either green apple or grapefruit to keep sugars low. Check out these nourishing meals for a new mama for inspiration.

3. Grapefruit seed extract

Grapefruit seed extract mixed with distilled water is another way to combat the yeast causing thrush. (source) Grapefruit seed extract is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial compound made from the seeds and pulp of grapefruit. The recommended dosage is 10 drops of GSE (where to buy) mixed with one ounce of water, which is swabbed on mom’s sore nipples and baby’s tender mouth before nursing, just like the recommendation with probiotics.

4. Calendula extract

Pure calendula extract (where to buy) can be used to help eliminate thrush. Calendula extract can be used an alternative to gentian violet (which we’ll cover in the next section). Studies show that this herbal extract can inhibit yeast growth. (source)  Mamas can paint the extract on their nipples, but it’s also possible to paint the extract on your baby’s tongue too.

Tip: Always check with your pediatrician before administering any extracts or herbal preparations to your baby.

5. Take a peek at mama’s diet

In addition to reducing sugar intake, mama can infuse her diet with plenty of anti-fungal and anti-bacterial foods. This includes:

What About Gentian Violet?

Gentian violet is another popular natural remedy for thrush. In fact, when I was pregnant with Griffin, this was the go-to remedy, but should you use it?

It is an antiseptic dye used to treat a myriad of fungal infections. Despite the popularity of gentian violet, we can’t recommend this as a natural treatment for thrush for a few reasons.

The first concern that makes this remedy unpopular is the possible side-effect of increased swelling or soreness and the fact that it does turn your skin purple. Mamas who used gentian violent are quick to note purple nipples and a baby who looks like they rubbed their face in blackberries for a few days. (source) Purple staining is a nuisance, but that’s not the only issue with gentian violet.

Another (and more serious) problem with gentian violent is the potential carcinogen factor. Health Canada has issued warnings about gentian violent (source), and New Zealand dermatologists warn of potential for necrotic tissue. (source) Yikes!

For these reasons, it’s best to take a pass on gentian violet.

Preventing Baby Thrush

So, now that we know some ways to treat thrush in babies, what can we do to prevent it from happening in the first place? It’s all about supporting a natural flora balance in you and baby.

Some simple ways to do this include:

  • Consider adding a good probiotic to your daily supplements. Just Thrive, BioKult and Prescript Assist are some of my favorites. (This is especially important if you or your baby ever have to take antibiotics.)
  • Eliminate junk food, sugar and soda from your diet
  • Keep your natural sugar intake low (even fruit). No more than 2-3 servings a day.
  • Include antibacterial and antifungal foods regularly in your diet such as: garlic, herbs like thyme and oregano, raw coconut oil and butter, black cumin seed oil (where to buy), raw pumpkin seeds, etc.

How About You?

Did you or your baby have thrush? If you have any thrush remedies that worked for you, let us know in the comments below!

Genevieve Howland

About the Author

Genevieve Howland is a childbirth educator and breastfeeding advocate. She is the bestselling author of The Mama Natural Week-by-Week Guide to Pregnancy and Childbirth and creator of the Mama Natural Birth Course. A mother of three, graduate of the University of Colorado, and YouTuber with over 130,000,000 views, she helps mothers and moms-to-be lead healthier and more natural lives.

57 Comments

  1. I tried ACV, coconut oil, probiotics after every feed. I also tried ozonated olive oil like one of the comments suggested. I also tried high dose vitamin C for a week. Nothing was working. Gave in and tried Gentian Violet, which helped me but not my baby. Finally I tried baking soda, which worked in less than 2 days!! I just added a Tbs of baking soda to 2 oz of distilled water and used a qtip to swab baby’s mouth after every feeding. Also use it on myself.

    • How old is your baby when you used the baking soda? I have a month old baby and I’m wondering if it’d be safe for her age or not.

  2. My little 1 yr old just started having little white spots inside her lips. I’ve downed my sugar intake, we just went on a trip and I ate a lot of treats. Oops! Upped my garlic intake and have been rubbing probiotic powder inside her mouth after she eats and feeding her coconut oil. I’ll add probiotic& coconut oil to my breast when ever she nurses also. The thrush isn’t spreading I don’t think, it seems to go and then return throughout the day. Hoping it’s on the mend when I up her probiotics to when she nurses and my breasts.

  3. Hi! Thanks for this and all your other super helpful articles! I just wanted to say that love your website and I look stuff up here all the time 🙂 very helpful.

    Heads up – potentially uncomfortable (for some) discussion ahead.

    Genevieve… I need a favor. I would like to sincerely ask you to please consider writing about natural approaches to handling vaginal yeast infections, what causes them, what can be done to prevent them, and any advice you (or any of you mamas here in the comments) would have for someone trying to treat one WHILE pregnant and nursing… I know this could be an uncomfortable topic to discuss in such a public manner but I think it would be immensely helpful to a lot of us here. Since it’s an uncomfortable topic I’ll be brave and go first!.. Unfortunately for me, a yeast infection is my body’s first sign of pregnancy every time and by the 3rd time around I’m frankly getting sick of it and not knowing what is safe to use and what isn’t…. just results in me being miserable when I should be over-joyed.
    Someone please help. Thanks in advance!

    • I’ve taken probiotics with strains made for vagina health and it’s kept b strep at bay. I’d imagine it will help the area be healthier in general.

    • yeast and candida is always caused by overgrowth from sugar . lower your carbs intake. we don’t need all the breads, pasta, syrup, etc. and you’ll be surprised how fast your body changes. . there is sugar, corn syrup, etc in everything! even gummy vitamins.

    • Try organic plain whole fat yogurt. Make sure there’s no sugar in it. I apply that to my vaginal area and inside my vagina to help with yeast infection. When that didn’t seem to cut it I used Mama natural butt paste with probiotics. A friend of mine said she actually took a capsule probiotics and inserted it overnight. I read another article elsewhere where a woman put a clove of garlic in her vagina every night.

  4. My baby had oral thrush for more than 2 months starting about two weeks after birth. I tried ACV, salt water, calendula, coconut oil, grapefruit seed extract (topically and ingested). I was also cleaning my nipples constantly and airing them out as well as washing sheets and bedding and all our clothes with vinegar. The Remedy finally happened when I took a high dosage of Vitamin C to prevent from getting a cold as my other child sick for a few days. The thrush was gone in a day. I took the vitamin C (about 3000 mg/ day) for 2-3 days.

    • What brand of vitamin c did you use?

    • Thanks for sharing! Did it help baby’s thrush
      As well? Appreciate if you’d respond. We’ve been battling it for long now.

      • Omg thanks for sharing I’m going to try this

    • what brand vitaman c did you use

  5. I have thrush that very recently showed up on my left nipple. I was very surprised to find this out as I eat whole food organic, soy, sugar, gluten and recently dairy free diet. Also LO is taking Smidge probiotics for silent reflux. Luckily he is showing few symptoms overall . It just so happened that I purchased ozonated olive oil for my oral care a few weeks ago. While researching the ozonated oil I read many amazing benefits including treating thrush. I have been using it for less than 24 hours on my nipples after feedings and it has made a noticeable difference with the first application. The stinging feeling is gone and it is less red and doesn’t itch. LO is already back to feeding normal and the diaper rash that we thought was caused by a dairy protein sensitivity is clearing up even without me applying it directly. You can also get other ozonated oils such as coconut oil. It is a little pricey but totally worth it, and has many uses.

  6. My pediatric doctor actually recommend gentain violet in one single use drop on the tongue for my baby’s thrush.

  7. What’s wrong with grapefruit extract?

    • There’s been several studies that have shown the anti microbial properties of grapefruit seed extract in the majority of commercially sold GSE products are synthetic and contain methylparabens, triclosan, and/or benzethonium chloride.

      • Then, mayb, it’s not the grapefruit seed extract that’s bad per se, but the quality of it. Make sure you’re getting a good quality source that is pure and 100% natural…

  8. Is coconut oil a natural and safe way to try to get rid of thrush in a two week old?! I’m a new mom and hate knowing my baby boy is in pain 🙁

  9. Thank you for the great info!
    My almost 8 months old daughter has had a very bad diaper rash for over a week. I finally understood it was yeast. But today I also saw a little white patch on the inside of her upper lip, by the lip tie. I also have been under the weather for two days. My nipples were a little bit itchy and are a little more sensitive than usual. All this makes me think we have thrush… My baby doesn’t seem bothered by the patch in her mouth though. But tonight, while nursing, I experienced some pretty painful “stabbing” pains. It stopped after nursing.
    I got us started on probiotics, i am taking care of my immune system and am going to slow down on sugar.
    I am pretty desperate about her rash… I feel like nothing, nothing is working. It makes me feel terrible. Her skin is shedding a little bit. She is so red. I read that that can be related to thrush. I put some colloidal silver gel and did a lot of naked time today… I am feeling so bad about all this!

    • In the same point with my little man (3 months) I have him and I both on probiotics he has had a rash for a month but not a bad one just two little spots but I knew it was yeast. I am now trying to dry it up wit ACV with water 50/50 of each. And yesterday I noticed his tongue in the way back was white( he is also tongue tie) I have no issues with my nipples but heard if we the moms have over active yeast baby will get it. I’m going to try and get an enzyme today to help balance everything out. Good luck momma!

    • And for us moms athletes foot powder spray knocks it off real quick just spray some a couple times a day over your entire breast

    • You can use breastmilk on the baby’s diaper rash or put baking soda in some warm water and let he sit in it for a few minutes. Then leave her bottom open to air for a 10-15 minutes.

  10. My lacatation consultant told me to try this since we’re on our 2nd round of Nystatin with no luck. She said it works so much better but did say it stains everything. I’m definitely trying it!

  11. Thanks for the info..i’m worried for my 9mos son for now he has a big sore in his mouth w/’c likely made him so fussy when I breastfeed him..at times specially after feeding, i observed that as if he is sucking his tongue in and I also experienced having pain after feeding him, im confused if it bcoz I have less milk or I have thrush in my nipple too? And our pedia had prescribe nystatin before, can I let my baby take the med after being opened fir almist 4mos?

    • Definitely talk to your child’s provider if there are open sores in his mouth.

  12. We just left my baby’s 9 month appt and the doctor prescribed nyastin. Since a about 3 weeks old, my son has had a white coating on his tongue only and nothing on his cheeks or my nipples. We’ve gotten contradicting advice on it being milk tongue vs thrush. Neither of us are in pain (he doesn’t act it). I am so hesitant to use the nyastin but doc said I should get it treated if it’s thrush. Anyone else have a similar experience?

    • If it’s not hurting it’s not thrush. I dont understand why they don’t simply take a sample and test it to know for sure. But if it’s thrush it would hurt and your baby would be crying.

    • My 8 week old baby has had the same thing written above, she dosnt seem fussy nor in any pain and my nipples also arnt effected.
      We have been to the doc and she told me to get that cream which I have been popping on my nipples before feeds twice a day, when I use it my baby starts being very sick after that feed with a few too many vom’s and runny poo so I stopped using it and really want to find a natural remedy as that cream is not suiting us.

    • Try to clean his tongue with a cotton swab. If the white comes off then it’s not thrush

    • Going through this exact same thing and my baby is feeding fine abd im not in any pain. Went to the pediatrician they told me it was thrush but didn’t even prescribe anything, turned around had a meeting with the lactation consultant and she told me my baby would be in pain, have a diaper rash, and be struggling to feed with fussiness so I’m am just going to continue cleaning her mouth like I’ve been doing with a gauze and warm water after feedings

  13. My 1 month old baby have thrust in his tongue, and someone said I should use red oil to rub it, and another person said I should use ink. What should I do?

    • It’s NATURAL for breast feeding baby to have a white residue. Just wipe/clean mouth and everyday with water and cloth. If baby cries inconsolable then it’s thrush.

  14. Useful info … I was treated for 3 weeks with meds and baby 2 weeks and after not even a week of finishing the treatment it seems to have come back with a vengeance and as a new mom it’s VERY hard to breast feed in general, now add the pain and it’s awful ??‍♀️But I won’t give up for my baby’s sake.

  15. regular basic hygiene too I’m sure helps. I at least imagined after smelling my wet breastpads how it must taste gross…so I’m changing more and I shower min once a day and maybe 2x. I so forget often though to change pads especially if I’m feeling cheap on buying more….i leak so much it is causing me to run through my nurse tops

    • Instead of disposable b’pads you should try the Reuseable bamboo b’pads they hold alot of moisture and feel really lovely to use.

  16. My bub had thrush from when she was 2 weeks. She is been on nilstat for 5 weeks and diflucan for 2 weeks. I am using daktarin gel for my breasts as well.Paediatrician asked continue with nilstat again for another 2 weeks. She is 10 wks now and still has thrush. It’s 7th bottle of nilstat now!!! I am really getting worried about the sugar in it. Any advice will be helpful.

    • Stop using pharmaceuticals…try a vitamin store, or look online for natural ways to heal….but best of all research, research, research before u do anything.
      Doctors are great but many are not knowledgeable about holistic meds

  17. Thanks for all these suggestions! I am going to start with he probiotic route. How long until I should start to see some improvement?

  18. Thank you so much for this info! I think where I’ve gone wrong is a little bit too much sugar at this point! And now I know the problem, it’s just tough cutting that one out ?

  19. We have gone through two treatments of nystatin and one treatment of fluconazole. Seemed like it cleared up for a couple days and now Iran back full force. My 10 week old is so discontent, squirmy when eating, gassy, and not sleeping well. Surprisingly, he doesn’t have white patches but I’ve read that this doesn’t have to be a visible symptom. I have sharp stinging pains in my breast and my nipples are killing me. I’m strictly pumping bc we have had thrush for so long and it keeps decreasing my milk supply, I pump to ensure he’s getting a full meal. I have to sterilize everything each time, I’m so exhausted, and as of today I’m considering quitting the whole breatsfeeding thing just so we aren’t in pain anymore. I’m trying a couple natural remedies for the first time tonight: rinsing my nipples with water and 1 tbsp of vinegar after pumping. Let air dry. Then apply a paste on nipples made of baking soda and coconut oil and maleluca (Doterra). I’m going to try some of these suggestions as well. Thank you Mama natural!

    • Hopefully you’ll find some relief soon. Good luck!

  20. My baby is 2 months old and has thrush. I am bf-ing her and feel hesitant to give her anything that will ruin her virgin gut. Any suggestions for a natural remedy that I could use with someone so little?

    • Ask your provider about treating with probiotics.

      • We have been using gentian violet for almost 5 days and I feel like it’s not getting any better I did read on your post that the thrush should be causing her pain my baby is not in any pain in fact she is completely content she just has all these white patches in her mouth and the pediatrician said it was thrush but it really doesn’t bother her if she’s not crying about it I can touch it and she doesn’t care

        • Thrush doesn’t always cause discomfort for babies.

    • Try using coconut oil,I use it on my babies from as early as one month old,it does wonders

      • How did you use coconut oil for the baby? how often you applied that on her mouth and did you do that before or after feeding?

      • How do you use coconut oil for treatment?

  21. Yes! We use gentian violet when we get thrush and it is the quickest help! In babies mouth and my nipples. Our doctor recommended it over anything but be careful, it stains EVERYTHING!

  22. Hi,
    Thank you for the informative post. My baby is always having thrush and someone told me giving her raw tomatoes can help. Anyone tried this? I’m yet to try it.
    I would live to hear your responses.

  23. Great article. Nice remedies you advice in it. Really effective and useful. Natural remedy works superb. you solve my problem easily. I used so many medicines in trush problem but all in vain. Thanks for sharing an important information and knowledge with us. Keep sharing, waiting for your new posts.

  24. Hi Mama Natural,

    How do I clean my Little Ones fabric toys and stuffed animals that cannot go in the washing machine? He has thrush and I am trying to be extra vigilant so we will only have one case.

    Thanks in advance.

    ~Casey

    • I would suggest vinager, and a dish soap. Buy a small container of both and pour into a bath tub. This is what I do and if you let it soak they come out sparkling clean. Just put into a Landry basket with towels layed inside. Let them dry. Put all stuffies blankets fabric stuff into the washing machine and the rest wipe down with disinfectant wipes and then wipe down with a baby wipe or a warm washcloth. Hope this helps 🙂
      From one mama to another
      Mel

  25. My still bf 1 year old is battling thrush, and finally winning. I got the oral Nystatin for her, and after 2 days of administration (though it seemed to be working well) I found out about coconut oil, and of course prefer the natural remedy. So I used that instead for about 3 more days. Not seeing anymore of those pesky white patches I stopped- probably should’ve continued for a week to be safe. Because it reappeared. Now I’m swabbing her mouth 4x a day and applying to my nipples a concoction of coconut oil, GFS oil, and acidophilus, which is working well. This time I’ll continue treatment longer.
    And it’s worth noting that the yeast does show up in her diaper area as well, as small red bumps. I interchange coconut oil & athletes foot cream, even when it looks clear.

    • What is your recipe for the GSE/come close nutmoil concentration? We are going on week 2 with thrush, and it’s so close to causing us to wean. He’s 17 months, so not the end of the world, but still sad that it wouldn’t be on our terms.

  26. I have suffered from thrush and it’s PAINFUL! I have found that coconut oil works when applied directly to my nipples. Plus it’s safe for baby. In a non-natural solution, I have also found that clomitrizol works, but I hate using it because it’s not natural.

  27. I absolutely LOVE this book!! I am a childbirth Educator and labor doula as well as a doula trainer. This book will be getting suggested at EVERY.SINGLE.CLASS. I teach from now on!! Great job! So useful and down to earth! I have 30 years of experience and I am thrilled to have found this book!!


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