Cleaning a newborn's mouth?

[Hollynesss]

My baby is 4 weeks old, and she spits up a lot (I suspect she has reflux, poor bug). She gets some pretty nasty spit-up breath that wiping her mouth with a washcloth doesn't get rid of. Is there a safe way to clean her mouth better to get rid of that smell? I don't imagine it tastes very good for her, either

 

[Nibblenic]

My daughter, the eldest one always smelt acidy due to her reflux, but I didnt think to do anything to clean her mouth. They dont have a developed sense of taste at that age so I doubt its bothering her

 

[DandJ]

Same! Following for advice

 

[zorak]

I don't think you should mess with a newborns mouth to be honest. It's a sensitive area with sensitive and I imagine developing bio flora that I wouldn't risk upsetting.

 

[Hollynesss]

Her pediatrician advised wiping her tongue and gums with a damp washcloth, and I trust that he wouldn't give us this advice if it would harm her.

 

[MindUtopia]

If you want to wash her actual face, I would use a gentle, natural baby soap. I probably wouldn't normally use that on a 4 week old, but if it's unpleasant and bothering you and just once, it wouldn't bother me. As for the inside of her mouth, just feed her. Like us, it will go away when she eats. Babies and children are sick a lot. You'll get used to the smell in time, but I wouldn't worry too much about it if you can tolerate it in the short-term.

 

[laila 44]

You should clean baby's mouth, it prevents oral thrush especially after a feed.

 

[minties]

I've never cleaned the mouths if my babies, nor been advised to by any health professional. Sounds very weird!

 

[loeylo]

I also was told not to clean her mouth until her first tooth appeared. The smell is just from milk.

 

[vaniilla]

We have a similar thing and just sterilise our hands and run a damp muslin cloth over her tongue a few times a day and it helps.

 

[Hollynesss]

Thank you to those of you with helpful input!

 

[loeylo]

Thank you to those of you with helpful input!

I think all the replies were helpful, whether they gave you the advice you wanted (how to clean babies mouth) or advice you may have not wanted, but was relevant and helpful (that it is generally not advised or needed to wash a babies mouth)

 

[laila 44]

Btw it came from my pediatrician who specifically told me to clean her mouth after a feed and especially before bed as it removed the milk on tongue and prevents thrush (as I previously stated).

 

[Hollynesss]

Btw it came from my pediatrician who specifically told me to clean her mouth after a feed and especially before bed as it removed the milk on tongue and prevents thrush (as I previously stated).

Mine also advised me to clean her mouth with a damp washcloth. I haven't tried doing it every feed, I've just been doing it at bedtime when she's had her last feed and I'm changing her and putting on her jammies. I just wondered if anyone had any experience with reflux breath and how to help get rid of the acidic smell. Thank you!

 

[loeylo]

Btw it came from my pediatrician who specifically told me to clean her mouth after a feed and especially before bed as it removed the milk on tongue and prevents thrush (as I previously stated).

NHS advice differs. See last paragraph:

https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Oral-thrush---babies/Pages/Introduction.aspx

I personally trust the NHS as a resource since it is centralised and reviewed regularly,and not just the opinion of one single doctor.

 

[Hollynesss]

Your input has been heard and noted, loeylo, thank you for taking the time to read my post and respond.

We had an appointment with my daughter's specialist this morning, and he suggesting wrapping a damp gauze around my finger, dipping in clean water and gently running it over her tongue and gums to get rid of the acidic white film from her reflux. He said that repeated prolonged exposure can cause thrush. She is a baby with reflux, it may be different for a baby that does not have reflux.

 

[laila 44]

Your input has been heard and noted, loeylo, thank you for taking the time to read my post and respond.

We had an appointment with my daughter's specialist this morning, and he suggesting wrapping a damp gauze around my finger, dipping in clean water and gently running it over her tongue and gums to get rid of the acidic white film from her reflux. He said that repeated prolonged exposure can cause thrush. She is a baby with reflux, it may be different for a baby that does not have reflux.

Exactly Hun. Follow your pediatrician's advice! They really know best xx

 

[mandy81]

I have heard of babies getting their mouths washed with a cloth, i personally never done it with any of my children i just let their mouth self clean.

Also just because people don't agree with you doesn't mean their input isn't helpful.