Has anyone taken penicillin while breastfeeding and was everything ok? I have an abcessed tooth and have to take it for the next ten days while I am nursing my three month old.
2006-07-19 14:20:45 · 11 answers · asked by lipglossaddiction 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Many antibiotics are FINE to take while nursing. Penecillin is approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use in breastfeeding mothers.
"Medications and Mothers' Milk" by Thomas Hale is *THE* resource for this kind of information. He lists penecillin as a "L1" drug, which means it is one of the safest drugs to take while nursing.
The only real thing to watch for would be thrush (yeast infection) in BOTH of you due to alteration of your gut flora. You can try to PREVENT either of you from getting thrush by taking acidophilus while you are on the antibiotics. (BOTH of you should take the acidophilus because thrush can be passed back and forth.) The Kellymom site below will give you the info on how much acidophilus to take and how to give it to your baby.
Good luck with the dentist!
2006-07-19 15:29:34 · answer #1 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I had to go on antibiotics when my baby was a few weeks old. Though it's not recommended, if you tell your doctor you're nursing, they can prescribe you an antibiotic that has less impact on baby. I have no idea how penicillin compares to what I took (I'm allergic to penicillin - I took amoxycillin) but my baby turned out okay, pooped less but that's it. It's a good idea, when you're done your antibiotic course, to get some baby probiotic (health food stores sell it - it's a powder) and put it on your nipples before feeding - that way baby is getting the good bacteria where it counts (the gut) that the antibiotic could have killed off. Hope that helps!
2006-07-19 15:23:02 · answer #2 · answered by Melissa N 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually taking penicillin is quiet fine when ur nursing- Think of it this way if your baby had an infection she or he would need the same stuff- however different dose... Talk to the pharmacist- he can advise you wether or not the type of penicillin is safe to use while your breastfeeding- the dosage might have to be lowered-
2006-07-19 14:25:49 · answer #3 · answered by bugz 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most antibiotics are safe, but run it by your doctor first to be sure.
When I was pregnant, I got Pyelonephritis (a raging kidney infection) and was hospitalized for 3 days witn an IV of Antibiotics. In addition I was sent home with a 10 day series of Antibiotic.
When my baby was 4 months old, I got Mastitis (a painful breast infection), I was on Amoxicillin for 10 days.
So I guess you could say I've had my fair share of antibiotics while either pregnant or breastfeeding. All was well with me in the end.
Good luck, and sorry about your tooth! OUCH!
2006-07-19 15:46:32 · answer #4 · answered by momof2kiddos 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Call your doctor to make sure it is OK, but an abscessed tooth poses more risk than treating it. Mouth bacteria from an infection can go throughout your body, and that is just as likely to harm the baby as medicine. Besides, babies are prescribed penicillin when they need it - the amount that might leak into your breast milk is far less than that.
2006-07-19 14:25:02 · answer #5 · answered by Strange question... 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Penicillin is one of the safest drugs when breastfeeding. It is in the safest category (out of 5) according to Dr. Thomas Hale, the world's foremost expert on breastfeeding, and it is approved by the American Academy of Pediatrics for use in breastfeeding mothers.
The only thing you have to seriously worry about is that antibiotics kill off *friendly* bacteria in addition to the nasty ones. So, if you can, eat yogurt with live cultures to prevent your stomach from getting upset--and to prevent the overgrowth of yeast. When there are no bacteria to keep them in check, yeast can grow in huge numbers and cause vaginal infections, as well as thrush--an incredibly painful infection of the mother's nipples and baby's mouth. OUCH!!
2006-07-19 20:49:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask your doctor to look up the drug in a book called *Medications and Mothers' Milk,* by Thomas Hale, Ph.D. This is the standard reference and is updated every couple of years.
http://www.ibreastfeeding.com/html/extras/mmm_2006.html
Breastfeeding mothers can take almost all drugs and even if one is contraindicated, there is usually a safe substitute. Generally speaking, very little of the drug usually passes though the milk.
An easy way to tell if it is safe is to ask if the doctor would prescribe it for your BABY - if so, then there is no problem.
Another quick way to tell if it is safe (in the USA) is to ask if it has been given the OK by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
For more information, go to the link below.
2006-07-19 15:16:43 · answer #7 · answered by granny 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think it will be fine because my daughter had to take penicillin at that age for an ear infection so whats the difference good luck
2006-07-19 16:17:53 · answer #8 · answered by Katie R 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you dentist knew you were breast feeding it should be ok but if you didn't tell him I would give your baby's doctor a call and ask first.
2006-07-19 14:25:49 · answer #9 · answered by thinktink 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
maybe.
but breastfeeding is not recommended when a woman takes antibiotic.
2006-07-19 14:24:16 · answer #10 · answered by fakemoonlandings 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋