Cleaning the deposits in babiy's Tongue

Dear Pooja ,

I assume you are breast feeding. So the white color should ne nothing but the milk residue.. Just feed your baby some water after breast feeding . The more you leave it there the tougher it is to clean. Also everyday when you give her / him a shower run your wet finger through the tongue with a little pressure ! Your baby would cry but then she / he anyways does it while taking a shower right !!

The white spots will disappear in some time ! take care ..:thumbsup

 

Hi Pooja,

My mum used to clean the mouth with a wet washcloth.

 

Hi Pooja,

My mom used to tell me that Vasambu (acorus Calamus, Sweet Flag in English) toasted on direct flame (till blackened) and the powder (2 pinches) given once a week was for this purpose. I haven't tried this personally.. hope someone can give a feedback on this traditional medicine.

Latha

 

The white deposit is not harmful and is very common in breastfed baby. The more abrasive methods you use to clean, the more damage will you do to the taste buds. Keep in mind that your baby's tongue is not as rugged as an adult's. In older kids may be a finger brush (is similar to a wash cloth into which you can slip in a finger - used for brushing kid's teeth until they can hold toothbrush) can be used gently to rub over the tongue.
Latha, charred vasambu is a activated charcoal and helps with absorbing gas in the stomach - but be advised to use it in very small quantities and avoid using it in newborns.

-L.

 

Yep, I agree with Lavanya. Don't use any abrasive method to clean the baby's tongue. It is quite normal. If you have concerns, ask your pedi for suggestions.

I am hoping the white deposit or spots that you are talking about is not bothering the baby in any way,

Raj

 

HI,

I used to clean with a very thin wet handkerchief or towel.

vani

 

Latha - abt vasambu - it can cause a serious condition called paralytic ileus in newborns (the intestines simply stop working). I have seen far too many babies get sick and some even die after being given vasambu so I wouldnt ever recommend it. In fact my strict policy is that nothing - absolutely nothing - goes past the lips of a young baby other than breastmilk (unless medication is needed for some definite reason). I dont know abt vasambu's effects in older babies though.

Vanathi.

 

Thank you Lavanya, Vanathi for the valuable advice. My mom charred vasambu when aniish was a baby (she knows we don't have gas here). But i never used it. I believe in getting medicines (also natural alternatives) and giving food that are practised wherever i live. I use the vasambu that she gave me in my wardrobes (they apparently are moth repellants).

I hope my suggestion here and your advice following that will help many moms who might follow tradition and give vasambu. Actually my cousin in Bombay was insisting that i give vasambu for aniish (there is also a belief that it'll help speech in children.. like parrots or what?). Thank God i never used them (laziness sometimes does help).

Latha