Because family members are in close contact, it is easy to spread a yeast infection.

• Good hand washing is important for all the family. Wash with warm soapy water, and use lots of friction for at least 15 seconds.
• Use paper towels for hand drying, and then discard, since yeast can live on a moist towel. Fingernails need to be natural and short.
• Moisture left behind by some baby wipes or cornstarch, an ingredient in some baby powders, can promote the growth of yeast.
• Use a bath towel only once, and then wash it. Wash towels and clothing that come in contact with the yeast in very hot water (above 50° Celsius or 122° Fahrenheit). Hang wash in the sun to dry, if possible. Ironing will help kill yeast. Put on a clean bra every day or more often.
• Boil items used in the baby’s mouth (pacifiers, bottle nipples, teething toys) and anything that comes in contact with the breast milk (pump kit parts, breast shells, cloth breast pads, and maybe even the bra) for 20 minutes once a day or use a microwave sterilizer.
• Milk expressed during a yeast infection does not need to be discarded. Because freezing does not destroy yeast,17 the milk could be a source of reinfection.
• After one week discard all bottle nipples and pacifiers and purchase new ones.
• Think of places yeast can hide. Check pets and farm animals for yeast, especially their ears. Get new toothbrushes for the whole family. One woman found her dental retainer to be her source of reinfection.
• A bleach solution of ¾ cup household bleach to one gallon of water (or 2 tablespoons to 2-2/3 cups of water) will disinfect surfaces such as a diaper changing pad, baby furniture, and toys. Wipe with the bleach solution, let it sit for 20 minutes, rinse, and air dry.
• If a yeast infection is not resolving, the mother can reduce sugar and dairy products in her diet. Some women report that it helps to add acidophilus, garlic, zinc, more water, or B vitamins (from a source other than nutritional yeast) to her diet. Tests to rule out anemia and diabetes might be a good idea.
• If she uses a steroid inhaler for asthma, she could rinse her mouth after each use to reduce her chance of oral thrush.

A healthy body is the best defense against an overgrowth of yeast