Breastfeeding and Infection?

Question

I posted an earlier question about by son’s pediatrician telling me to stop breastfeeding because I was taking Amoxicillin and my dentist also telling me to supplement because of my tooth infection. I have been exclusively breastfeeding my son for 11 months and had to stop cold turkey when given the news. I am still expressing and will continue in a week but the breast milk Nazi’s all decided to answer my last question and told me I should not listen and continue breastfeeding. My question is not so much the amoxicillin as much as the tooth infection? Can it really pass through the bloodstream to the milk and harm my baby? I am better off ignoring doctor's and dentist or should I supplement until the I am off the antibiotic and get the tooth fixed (1 week). Side note: he is having a hard time pooping on the formula and I don't want it him on anymore than the breast milk Nazi’s do but I want to do the safest thing for my baby ...which is.........?

Answer 1

Your caregivers are unfortunately clueless about breastfeeding and are giving you bad advice.

Talk to a La Leche League Leader and/or a Lactation Consultant because these ladies know more about breastfeeding and what is safe than just about any doctor.

As you can see from the link below, amoxicillin is approved by the AAP for use in breastfeeding mothers.

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/aap-approved-meds.html#Antibiotics

http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;108/3/776 (scroll to table # 6)

Amoxicillin is even given in pediatric doses sometimes. The ONLY concern that I can come up with is that BOTH of you would need to be on the watch for thrush while you're on antibiotics. You should be taking acidopholis as a precaution so you don't develop thrush.

No, you can't pass your infection to your baby by nursing. (IF that were true, wouldn't you have already done so before you saw the doctor!?) It is *VERY* rare for mom to ever need to stop breastfeeding due to an illness. If a mother had a breast infection (mastitis) stopping breastfeeding would be the WORST thing she could do. There is no reason to stop nursing for a tooth infection.

Per Dr. Ruth Lawrence, "HIV and HTLV-1 are the only infectious diseases that are considered absolute contraindications to breastfeeding in developed countries" (Lawrence & Lawrence 2001).

http://www.kellymom.com/health/illness/mom-illness.html

Please refrain from calling the women who are trying to HELP you and giving you more accurate advice than your doctors as "Nazi's!" What a sick and insulting comparison! Nazi's killed millions of people....how in the world can this be compared!?

Answer 2

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Answer 3

If the lab work is positive for bacteria you need to take a look at how often you change his diaper. Do you clean his penis first then his bottom? Is he circumcised? These are questions the doctor may ask you. For a UTI they often give an antibiotic so it won't turn in to a bladder infection. If he continues to develop them they may do an x-ray or ultrasound of the kidneys to find out why they keep happening. If this is just a one time event then there is not much to worry about. Make sure to offer him water to keep the urine less concentrated. Good luck. P.S. why all the thumbs down? I know what I am talking about, I often work in a pediatric unit and these are the most common reasons for pediatric UTI's. Girls usually more than boys for the obvious.

Answer 4

Great way to get some help, there.

I will ignore your rude comments and attempt to help you.

GET A SECOND OPINION!

I nursed through TWO tooth infections and neither of the dentists I saw mentioned anything about not nursing (they both knew i was).

Breastmilk contains so many anti-bodies, and white-blood cells that i am nearly posative that whatever very small amount of the infection from your mouth that makes it to your milk, will be killed on contact.

From Dr Sears:
"A drop of breastmilk contains around one million white blood cells. These cells, called macrophages ("big eaters"), gobble up germs. Breastmilk is also power-packed with immunoglobulin A (IgA), which coats the lining of babies' immature intestines, preventing germs from leaking through"

Get a second opinion and stop being so judgmental about people who are trying to help you.

Doctors don't know everything about breastfeeding. Dentists know signifigantly less. I would dare to guess that you know more about breastfeeding than your dentist.

Answer 5

There are different things you can take for a tooth infection so that way you can still breastfeed, if thats what you really want. I've had 2 infections and breastfed through both of them because my dentist prescribed me something that was safe to breastfeed on. Sometimes you have to be a little pushy with them but there are other things you can take.

I say, call you dentist or another dr asap, and MAKE them get you a different prescribtion that is safe for you to breastfeed on. That is ridiculous that they didn't to begin with. Some people are just ignorant, it's not your fault. Call them tomorrow. Good luck

Answer 6

I would suggest find an antibiotic that is ok for breastfeeding, I had to have antibitiotics whilst breastfeeding and there is a safe one, try not to give up if you can help it.

Answer 7

Keep breastfeeding your son. Quit supplementing. Now you have joined the rest of us who have had to learn that unfortunately, you can't even trust medical 'professionals' to know about breastfeeding. Do your own research on what's safe to take while breastfeeding, and take it to your doctor. Friends of mine and have I joked that while breastfeeding and/or pregnant, we usually have doctor's visits go like this: Hi- I have ______. I am nursing, so you can treat me with _____ or ______. Thanks, here's your $80, see ya next time. Sad, but very true. Good luck~

Answer 8

see if your hospital has a nurse that specializes in breastfeeding. mine does. they will be able to tell you if you have to and can give you a list of antibiotics that you can breastfeed on if you want.

Answer 9

Nazi'a would not care about the well being of children enough to make sure a mom has done her research.

Please lay off the name calling.

People are trying to help you and your baby, please don't call us the name of the most vile criminals in history.

Lactivists have NEVER GASSED MILLIONS OF PEOPLE!

I gave you the kellymom link before. here it is again:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/index.html

Answer 10

if your babies Dr says it is not safe it is not safe period. would you give your baby the pill to chew on. no. follow the Dr. i swear they really do know more about medicine than ppl on here. my aggravation is not with you it is with the ppl on her telling you to go against the Dr's advice. your baby will not be any worse off in the long run for having to be on formula for one week. try to find a formula with out iron that can cause constipation. just pump and dump this week and then get your baby back on the breast in a week without having to worry about what your milk could be doing to him! and he is old enough to be eating solids so its not like you are going to hurt his tummy.