[maviskat]

Doctor prescribed DD antibiotics for 10 days for what he thinks may be an early ear infection. We went to see him because she has had a cough(mostly upon waking from sleep) and runny nose for a few days, just a cold he feels. I am not big into taking antibiotics for myself unless they are truly needed. I feel too many drs hand them out like candy. However, I thought I better give them to DD as she is so young I don't want her to get sicker. Well, Thursday night and Friday (after 2 doses of the antibiotics) she had diarrhea, or at least very loose poopies, after every bottle. I call the dr service on Friday and am told by another dr to switch her to another antibiotic starting Saturday. Well, on Saturday I decide to call the office before giving the new antibiotic. Our dr is there and doesn't seem to concerned with her poops after every feeding as long as she has no fever, is wetting diapers and appears to be acting like herself. All of which is fine. He says to continue with original antibiotics on Monday. Well, she is still having loose poops, less but still more than normal and won't the same thing occur if we start them again Monday?? I don't know but that much poopsies just doesn't sit well with me and she would be taking the antibiotics for at least 10 days. And I am wondering if she really needs the antibiotics at all? I am thinking of holding off giving them to her ( her cough and congestion do seem to be getting better), but worry she will get a bad ear infection and how lousy of a mother will I feel like then??? I don't know what to do??Am I just being a neurotic first time mom?? I feel like if I call again tomorrow they will hang my picture in the office with an "X" marked through it!!!!
Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!!

[mrsdatabits]

I don't have much help, but thought maybe what I know would ease your mind. We had DD on antibiotics a few months ago due to a possible skin infection and in talking with my parents they mentioned that antibiotics can cause diarrhea, so I'd be inclined to go with your doc's recommendation (no fever, wet diapers, acting normal = okay). As to should she take the antibiotics, I can't really say. I do feel as you that docs hand them out too much (and in a lot of cases with no need such as for a viral infection), but you and your doc know your DD and what she is going through. Is she prone to ear infections? Then I might say stick with them. If she's not been prone, you could just watch to see. It sounds to me like the antibiotics were prescribed to prevent a possible ear infection, not for the cold. My DD has had a couple colds and never got an ear infection, but maybe we've just been lucky.

Good luck with your decision!

[Leigh131313]

Well...you already have her on them. She's doing well except the poop, right? I'd be more worried about pulling her off of them....once you start an antibiotic regiment you should really see it through to the end.

If you are concerned - maybe look into probiotics. They might help with side effects. There are yogurts that have probiotics now - i forget which brand. Maybe talk to your pharmacist or people at the health food store.

[HBV]

I feel your pain---H has just finished a course of antibiotics. The loose stools are perfectly normal. Antibiotics get rid of bacteria--- both good and bad--- so the bacteria that naturally exists in her colon is affected as well as the yucky stuff that's making her sick. One thing you can do to help w/ the diarrhea is to give her some organic baby yogurt---it will reintroduce some good bacteria into her system and should help w/ the loose stools. (The cultures in the yogurt break down the lactose, so while you can't give babies under 1 year milk, yogurt is fine---same thing for cheese)

As far as stopping the antibiotics, I wouldn't do it w/out talking to the doctor. If you stop them and she really does have a bacterial infection, you've just made the infection more resistant. I'm w/ you on not taking them unless they're necessary, but I think most peds now are more careful about giving them out. Hope she feels better soon!

[redbonec]

I don't have any advice Mavis, but I hope your daughter feels better very soon!

[kelceesmom]

It is normal to have diarrhea with being on AB's. Kelcee gets that way. You should finish out the ab's though because it is worse to stop them to early. It can build a resistance to them. So, if you need them for something else in the future and have done that route several times they might not work properly the next time. Good luck. We have had about 10-12 ear infections in the last 14 months or so. They aren't fun.

[ajjhmf]

Yeah, diarrhea is normal on anti-biotics. I wouldn't change them unless she's actually getting dehydrated from it. Like Leigh said, it's better to finish a course of anti-biotics first if at all possible.

You can ask your doctor about asphadopholus (sp?) or babydopholus. They help replace the good bacteria that the antibiotics kill. I've seen it at health food stores and some grocery stores. We never used it, but just weathered the poo. LOL However, I have friends who swear by it.

[maviskat]

Thanks for your responses everyone! We did put DD back on the antibiotics Sunday night and the problem got worse. Doc wanted to see her today, agreed it was just too much poop for such a little gal!! Upon weighing her today, we found she lost 8 ozs since Thursday!! We are stopping the meds as per doc's orders, he thinks the ear may clear up on its own. He will call us Friday for an update. If the ear acts up, we will try a new antibiotic. Hopefully, the poop party will be over soon!!!!

Thanks again for all your advice for this new mommy!!