Why Do Babies Get Oral Thrush?
Most infants naturally have the yeast candida albican in their mouths. Because their immune systems are not yet mature, the amount of yeast in the mouth can overgrow and lead to an infection. (Adults and older kids who have weakened immune systems because of an illness or something like chemotherapy also can get oral thrush.) Oral thrush usually occurs within the first 6 months of life, and a baby with the infection will develop cracked skin in the corners of the mouth, and whitish or yellowish patches on the lips, tongue, or inside the cheeks.
