Formula Buildup on Tongue

Updated on October 01, 2011
C.A. asks from Florida, NY
18 answers

My son is 12 days old and his tongue is completely white from the formula. Does anyone have any ideas how to clean it out? Thank you

Edit:
Called dr yesterday and he told me to watch him and make sure that he doesn't get a fever or gets too fussy or doesn't want to eat. He is eating like a champ and sleeping well. Since I already had an appointment for Monday we are going to check it out then. Now my daughter is telling me that it hurts when she pee's. Just great it is never ending. Dr told me to give her cranberry juice until her appointment also on monday. I can't seem to win.

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So What Happened?

Yup it is def thrush. Thank you all for your help. Went mon to dr and got nystatin. It is clearing up nicely. You can actually see his tongue now. My daughter is just fine. All tests came back negative. Finally things are going back to normal. Thank you all again. I knew i could count on you! :-)

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H.V.

answers from Binghamton on

He more then likely has a yeast infection in his mouth. Go to pediatrician and get nystatin suspension.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.W.

answers from New York on

Like everyone else has said, its probably thrush. My son at 2 weeks old had it. I'm breastfeeding but he had a super white tongue that gradually got more and more covered with the white. He didn't have any other spots in his mouth, which is usually a common factor for thrush. But I took him to my ped and he had it. He had to take an oral antibiotic (fluconazole)for 10 days. After 2 it was almost gone. I also had to take meds since I am breadfeeding. Thrush is really common in newborns, so don't worry. And its generally painless unless it gets severe and untreated.
So get him to the ped and you'll be all set. Congrats on the new baby!

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

Congratulations on your new baby boy!!!

This sounds like thrush and not formula build up. Call your pediatrician and let them know what is going on. Thrush is a yeast infection that can develop in the mouth and throat and on the tongue. Thrush is most common in newborns, infants, and older adults, but it can occur at any age. IF it is thrush then your doctor will most likely prescribe Nystatin.

Good luck!!

5 moms found this helpful

ღ..

answers from Detroit on

My baby was like that too when she was that little. It didnt happen with breastmilk, but when I had to supplement with formula, she did get a lot of residue on her tounge.
Google thrush, you will find pictures and you can compare. I did the same thing because I was worried about thrush, but it wasnt. I didnt clean it, once she got older it just went away. But if your worried you can always call the doc and see what they say.

3 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Yep, it sounds like thrush - a yeast infection of the mouth.
With some babies it doesn't seem to bother them, and it clears up on it's own in roughly 2 weeks..
With others they will fuss when feeding because it can be painful.
A little plain yogurt dabbed inside his mouth might help to clear it up.
You can try some on his bottom too (if there's yeast at one end, it will often appear at the other end).
If your son seems fussy it wouldn't hurt to take him to the pediatrician and see what they say.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_thrush-in-babies_92.bc?showAl...

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R.D.

answers from Richmond on

Sounds like thrush... baby needs to see a doc for an antibiotic, and make sure you're thoroughly washing bottles and nipples!

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T.N.

answers from Albany on

Sounds like thrush. I'd call the doc.

Congrats on the new baby!

:)

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A.H.

answers from Washington DC on

I agree, sounds like Thrush.

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T.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

It's Thrush. It happened to my daughter. I thought it was milk build up too but my cousin came to visit, who has 3 boys and a girl, and told me it was thrush. She told me to go to the dr and we went that next day. Its like a yeast infection and they say it hurts. It only took a few days to clear up.

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T.M.

answers from Tampa on

It does sound like thrush to me....

2 moms found this helpful

B.K.

answers from San Francisco on

I agree with Sarah ,my son had thrush at this age. Check the inside of his mouth and cheeks to ensure thrush is not present.

B. k

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S.C.

answers from Des Moines on

Is it Formula buildup or Thrush?

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E.M.

answers from Kansas City on

could be formula, could be thrush. is any other part of his mouth white? take a extra soft toothbrush and gently rub his tongue with water. if it comes off easy-peasy then it's formula, if not, take him in to the pedi. or like Lynn M said give him a bit of water, like a teaspoon or so. or you could just take a damp washcloth and wipe his tongue. if it doesnt come right off really easy then it's not formula

Updated

could be formula, could be thrush. is any other part of his mouth white? take a extra soft toothbrush and gently rub his tongue with water. if it comes off easy-peasy then it's formula, if not, take him in to the pedi. or like Lynn M said give him a bit of water, like a teaspoon or so. or you could just take a damp washcloth and wipe his tongue. if it doesnt come right off really easy then it's not formula

1 mom found this helpful
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C.Z.

answers from Omaha on

Sounds like thrush to me. You can go to the drugstore and get tincture of violet. Paint the inside of his mouth/tongue twice daily. Be careful...this will make your child's mouth bright purple and this stuff stains! Left untreated, it can go to a yeast infection internally or can then move onto his bottom, which is terribly painful. If you are not comfortable with treating it yourself, you can take him to the Dr. and they will give you an oral medicine, which you want to squish around in his mouth and then he will swallow the rest.

Congratulations on your new baby boy!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.L.

answers from New York on

My guess is that it's thrush - a fungal infection on the tongue. Don't try to scrape it off, it can be painful. Your doc can prescribe an oral med, begins with an 'N' I believe... it will clear up after a few days. Good luck to you!

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L.M.

answers from Dover on

Give him a little bit of water.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from Burlington on

It is not formula. That is your son's immune response. If you look at adults' tongues, you will notice that some adults have white on their tongues and some look a healthy pinkish-red. White on the tongue is an indicator of immune problems. Some people have white tongues due to Candida infections. Build up of bacteria, fungus, or any type of microbe is a clue that the immune system is not keeping things in check. Your child's immune system may be burdened by the formula. Are you able to nurse? (You don't have to answer me to that question here. Just for you to ask yourself.)

Good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.J.

answers from New York on

Hi C., CONGRATULATIONS! After your long uncomfortable summer, your little on is finally here! Hurray! Just had to say that...everyone already said my answer, probably thrush. My older son had a touch of of it too! So happy for you.

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