Tongue Thrush

Have you ever heard of wiping a baby's tongue with a wet diaper to get rid of thrush?

My son has thrush and my MIL suggested we take off his wet diaper (obviously wet with urine) and wipe it across his tongue to get rid of the thrush. At first we thought it was milk on his tongue so I kept trying to wipe it off with a warm wash cloth. But my husband was at home with our son on Monday and said he didn’t seem interested in eating. He took him to the doctor and they said he has thrush and prescribed some antiobitics. He also had a mild fever and has slight diarreah. A few weeks ago, my MIL said, “I know what will get the white stuff off his tongue, but you aren’t going to do it so nevermind!” I told her to elaborate and she did but she was right … I was not interested. This sarcasm is not uncommon. She has been doing this every since I had the baby. It annoys her that will not follow, and do not want to hear, her old wives tales. Her latest strategy is to cram my husband’s head full of stuff so he can pass it along to me. So, in an essence, she’s still getting her point across and putting in her two cents, but she’s not telling me directly. My husband said his mother suggested we wipe that diaper across his tongue several times yesterday. She said she did this to him and her granddaughter (which her parents basically let my MIL raise her as she pleases so it’s no surprise). I just snapped my mouth shut and changed the subject. She can’t seem to respect the fact that I don’t want to put urine in my baby’s mouth. Has anyone ever heard of this?

Public Comments

1. That's ridiculously gross... please don't listen to her!
2. No I've never heard of it and it's absolutely disgusting. Would your MIL do it to herself? I think not!
3. YUCK, no! ask your husband and your MIL to put a peed-on diaper in their mouths first and then you'll gladly do it to your son. who the hell would suggest putting URINE in a baby's mouth? I've never heard of that and it is disgusting, not to mention completely unnecessary -- considering the only thing you need to do is wipe it with a wet (non-peed on) washcloth. if the white stuff is still there, bring him to your pediatrician. I've never heard that and it sounds like borderline child abuse to me -- it's crazy! she's nuts.
4. I think I have heard of it but I would never do it to my kids either. It will be interesting to read the other answers. I have received "odd" advice from family, friends, and strangers, but I usually follow my own feelings (usually based on reading and asking the doctor).
5. This is what i found online but i wouldnt try it myself! It sounds disgusting!!! "It’s said that when a baby has thrush, you can treat it by taking the baby’s wet diaper and wiping it inside the baby’s mouth on the areas with the thrush. If you are going to try this home remedy, we recommend you avoid doing this with the diapers that have moisture absorbing gel. Why would this work? Well, thrush is basically a yeast infection. The theory is that the ammonia in the baby’s pee will kill the thrush yeast infection. Personally, we’re a little skeptical about trying this home remedy out on our kids. It just sounds kind of disgusting. I guess it depends on how desperate you are to get rid of your baby’s thrush. At least we could say it’s an all-natural thrush remedy. Now, remember, it’s only the baby’s pee that might help. Try to pass on the other diapers."
6. she sounds like an idot. even if people have done that before, i would never ever do that to my child. thats just ew.. torture.. You keep to what you belive in.
7. Absolutely not. Do not try this at all. Thrush doesn't rub off and you can actually cause their tongue to bleed by rubbing it. It has to be killed with antibiotics only.
8. I have never in my life heard of this. My son had thrush, my doctor told me not to wipe his tongue or let him suck on a wash cloth because it can irritate the mouth and cause the tongue to bleed. I suggest you take baby to the doctors and get some antibiotics, good luck!
9. I don't care if urine kills the thrush or not, that's completely unsanitary and disgusting. Your Dr. went to school and spent many hours studying to get his/her license. I would go with his/her recommendations and try to ignore your MIL. Although, you could always tell her that you heard a home remedy for stopping unwanted barbaric advice from family members is to wipe a baby's poopy diaper on their tongue. I bet she doesn't go for it. ;)
10. Yes I have heard of it before!!! But I wasn't trying to do it either! The doctor gave you antibiotics already so even if the diaper thing really does work (you don't need to do it the baby is being treated)! I'm not against natural remedies, but if it involves some nastiness I'm not going to do it, especially to my baby! You did the right thing! If your husband isn't getting the hint and he keeps asking you to do it because his mom is telling him to....ask him to lick a pissy diaper! If he can't bring himself to do it I would ask him what mother in her right mind would try to do it to her baby. Urine is a part of body waste! Don't listen to your MIL because she wants to make you look like you know nothing and she knows it all! The moment you cave and do something she tells you to do, she will forever be in your business. If you don't want to hear her opinions and old wives tales, do yourself a favor and don't tell her what's going on with the baby unless it's positive. In your MILs eyes you will never be able to do anything right! That's how most of them are! Good Luck!