Should My 12 Week Old Take Amoxicillin for Cough???

Long sustaining runny nose weather from allergies or weather can very quickly and easily become infected. If the discharge has color it means infection. In a very young child infection can spread rapidly. Even in adults an untreated sinus infection can spread upward to the brain. By all means if the doctor prescribed meds for the runny nose I would give it as directed and finish all meds. This can also spread down to the lungs. Once the infection is in the body it is opertunistic and will travel any open path.

My daughter had to be on antibiotics from the day she was born until age 15 months due to kidney problems. She's fine- he'll be fine. you do NOT want him getting pneumonia, which can happen quickly.

The only reason an antibiotic is prescribed is if there is an infection. It sounds like the dr. confirmed there was an infection. It sounds like to to me that it should have nothing to do with having a cough, so there are two different issues going on here. An antibiotic should never be given for a cough, but definitely for an infection. And with all of the congestion and fluid build up, you will also ned to watch out for ear infections too. I hope he feels better soon!

Just a thought to keep in your file, whenever you take antibiotics or give them to your kiddos make sure you take probiotics (they can be found at sprouts, central market or other health food stores). That will keep the antibiotics from causing as many problems (yeast) as they solve.

Kara,

Most Dr's give an antibiotic or some other prescription because most parents are expecting it, not necessarily that they need it. I believe that's the reason your Dr. gave you the info on not treating with antibiotics. Coughing is a way that the body gets rid of whatever is invading your son's body. It may be annoying, cause him to have poor sleep, but it's doing a job. If you want to hold off on the antibiotics, which will just deplete his immune system even further, then try some homeopathic remedies that will help him be a little more comfortable. Hylands makes a product called sniffles and sneezes and another called Calms Forte. The first will help with the congestion and the second, will calm him to sleep naturally. If you would like to get another Dr.'s opinion, I take my son to Dr. Alex Bekker. He's an MD, but specializes in homeopathy. He's fantastic and my son is almost 4 years old, has never had an antibiotic for anything. But, if Dr. Bekker feels that a prescription is the best course of action he would prescribe immediately. His number is ###-###-####. Hope this helps!

Hello Kara!

I'm writing after you already posted an update, but I thought I would mention the Neti-pot to you for future bouts with congestion/cough. The Neti-pot can be bought at almost any pharmacy or grocery store. It uses a saline mixture to rinse mucous out of the nasal passages. It can also be used in the evening to rinse any pollens out so a child (or adult!) can get some relief from seasonal allergens.

Good luck!

A.

Hi Kara. As a mother, you have the God given gift called intuition. If you feel that something isn't right with your child, you're most likely right! So, it's okay to second guess your doctor's diagnosis. Don't feel like you don't have the right to second guess. The truth is, it's okay!

To answer your question about amoxicillin for cough. My doctor recommends using herbal supplements. She recommended using Lithy Tree (Viburnum lantana) for coughs. Lithy Tree is helpful for the following: Cough (including spasmodic fits of coughing), bronchial spasms, bronchitis, and lung problems. Lithy Tree targets the lungs and aids in restoring pulmonary function. Using Lithy Tree can help improve a person's breathing. The dosage is 5 to 8 drops. You can put it in their milk.

I've used Lithy Tree on my son and within a week, he progressively gets better. It certainly isn't an overnight cure, but if you use it consistenly, you'll see results.

Hope your baby gets to feeling better!

I'm 42 and have found that I and my 3yr old get better care if I second guess the docs. Nicely and respectfully of course. My son had bad allergies and by doing my own research, I was better able to help him. My son took so many rounds of antibiotics before I started looking into other options. That said, I will still give him antibiotics if it is absolutely necessary. What worked for my son was a bathe and clean sheets. If he played outside and napped on his sheets, then I changed them before bedtime. They get pollen in their hair and then sleep with it at night. He coughed and had a runny nose all the time until I did this. It didn't cure him but it helped him so much. We also used a nebulizer on him that had albuterol in it which helped. If you do give him antibiotics make sure you give him probiotics to. (activia yogurt or open a capsule of probiotic into his cereal) Good luck. It is so hard to see your child miserable.

If you have concerns, call your Dr. back and ask her. My daughter is 4 and I still call and ask questions if I'm concerned about what they put her on. When she was on medicine for a staph infection it said not to let her be in direct sunlight, my question was, How long is to long, have you ever told a 4yr old they can't go out and play when it's nice outside. LOL..Good luck and I hope he gets to feeling better soon!!!

Your best advice is going to come from a pediatrician. Your mom is right, but if you are second guessing your dr, perhaps the real problem is you don't trust your dr. Ask your dr why the med is prescribed when the info says not to give antibiotics and if you are still not sure then maybe you need another dr.
that can inspire confidence in thier care and knowledge base.

Mamasource is a great place to seek some opinions, but not professional ones. If you disagree with your doctor, see another doctor. Hope your baby recovers quickly.

I just got my three month old over the same thing that she had for the past three weeks. My doctor said the only thing I could do is have her sleep with a cool mist humidifier and use saline solution. Two weeks later we were back in the dr. because it didn't go away. She told me she was too young to be on antibiotics and it could do more harm. She said keep up with the humidifier and saline solution. She also suggested getting a wedge incline sleeper that will keep her propt up when sleeping to help with the drainage. Now she is dueing much better, the cough is gone and congestion is almost gone too. Get a second opinion from another dr. before giving him antibiotics.

Hello i have a 3 yr old and when he was a baby he had been sick often. Some times it took meds and sometimes it took old faashion wives tales to help but eventually it did help. Bronchiolitis i am not sure what that is but if it is another was to say upper respertoy infection than yes I would give him the meds. My son was on meds when he was little and now I look at him and wonder what whould ahve happened if I didn't. I do not think that it affects them besides helping them get over a sickness becasue my boy is 3 and in school and his teacher says that he does well for his age. Hope the best for you.
H. a

Bronchitis is a viral infection and viruses can not be treated with antibiotics, it doesn't do any good. I think your Dr is concerned about secondary infection like a sinus infection, something that is hard to see. Usually if my kids have really bad colds it is associated with ear infections and does need antibiotics. My Dr is WONDERFUL and he says that a cold can last 7-14 days. He usually suggests not to bring the kids in unless it has been 10 days. He desn't give antibiotics unless it has been longer than 14 days or if they have an ear infection. I don't think it would hurt to wait th 14 days to see if it is just a cold and will clear up on it's own, but always call and talk to your or their nurse about this first. The Dr could be concerned about somthing else that you are unaware of and your baby may relly need the antibiotics.

Doctor's are not geniuses, nor do they always get it right. When my daughter was 12 weeks old, I took her in for severe congestion/wheezing. I was told her ear was "red", and prescribed amoxicillin. My mother's instinct told me not to give her the antibiotic, so I didn't. Five days later, she had a follow up appointment, and her ears looked perfect, and she was beginning to feel better. About a month later, she saw an on-call doctor due to a bad cough. The doctor suspected bronchitis, and wanted to take a chest x-ray (which I was leery about, but went ahead). They told me she had pneumonia. She was prescribed amoxicillin and a steroid. Three days later, we saw her regular pediatrician- he showed me the radiologist's diagnosis on the chest x-ray-- NO pneumonia, or bronchitis! He told me I could stop the antibiotic- that it was just a virus.
Always go with your gut- trust that mother's instinct, because doctor's make mistakes. Remember that you know your child better than anyone. I know how hard it is to see such a little one sick~ best wishes for a speedy recovery to your baby.

I think your doctor would know more than anyone on Mamasource. Since your baby is so young, I wouldn't wait around for advice from anyone. It could turn into bronchitis or pneumonia quicker than you can imagine. Give the antibiotic. Hope it gets better soon.

It sounds like you are giving the meds for the secondary infection and not the cough. I would give the meds, you done want her to get sicker at that age and if not treated that is what could happen... if you are confused just ask the dr about it and dont take advise from strangers about your infants health on the internet. These people have not seen your baby and are not Dr's your baby is far to young to take chances with thind of thing and it can get out of hand quick. Just contact your Dr and clear things up so you are not worried.

Hope she gets better soon

Aj

Kara,
I would say yes, because the doctor prescribed it. The amoxicillin isn't for the cough, it's for the secondary "infection", which I'm not sure what that is.

I pray your boy gets better soon!

I don't think you are wrong for questioning the doctor. I think they prescribe antibiotics way too frequently...probably because that is what most parents want and think it is a quick fix to the problem. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor and ask them why they prescribed the antibiotic when the info they gave you said not to treat with antibiotics. Ask them if there are other more holistic alternatives to antibiotics if you prefer to go that route. It is your right as a parent to ask questions and gather all the information so that you can make an informed decision. People put too much stock in that whatever the doctor says goes. We need to take responsibility as parents and ask questions...so I say good for you for doing that! Good luck!!! :)

You are NOT crazy for 2nd guessing the doctor. They are people too and can make mistakes. My son had a reaction to penicillian and the urget care . perscribed benadryll, when I read the package, it said do NOT use on children under 2, well, my baby was 13 months! So, I called the Dr. office for a 2nd opinion - they stated the benefits outweighed any risks and that the warning label on the benadryll had been changed recently b/c some parents were reading "under 2 contact doctor" and NOT contacing dr, but just trying to figure out what does to give and thus overdosing...ok, back you to. I'd call the doctor back and ask about the fact that it says not to use in case of bronchiotis. Explain that you are OK with waiting and watching instead of treating with antibiotics for "just in case". I know when my yougest was about 3 months and he had cough, etc., they didn't perscribe anything and I had to hold him to help him breathe and suck out his nose, etc. It's hard, but just tell them you are double checking and make sure they still agree with their original diagnosis.

I would seek a second opinion from another pedi - my son was diagnosed w/bronchitis at 2 months old, and my pedi didn't want him on anything except momma's milk and infant Tylenol - other things he had us do were a humidifier in his room at night, regular saline drops in his nose for the congestion portion, and Vicks body wash for babies in his bath. I would be very hesitant to give my little guy antibiotics. But I don't want to discourage you from taking a doctor's advice - if you feel like you trust your doctor, then you have to go with that feeling. If not, you need to seek a new doctor.

Hi Kara.
I think it's a good idea to be honest with your Dr. and just tell her that you trust her decision but that you are hesitant to give your young baby meds. You can ask her, what would be an alternative treatment (vaporizer, raise crib mattress, etc.)? And, what would possibly happen if I decide against medication? Would he get worse or would it just take a little longer for him to get better? I think it's important to trust your doctor for good advice as long as it isn't interfering with your ethics. I hope your little guy gets better soon!

do not give your child any diary products while he's congested or signs of congestion. make him get out in the fresh sunny air for a bit. eat oranges, drink cranberry juice in crushed ice... good luck.

Hi Kara, We have 3 grown children of our own and 5 grandchilddren and another one one the way and have 7 foster children ages 6-16 and the best way to get rid of congestion in a baby is get a clove of garlic and crush it and wrap it in a piece of cloth and put a sock on the baby's foot then put the garlic on the outside of the sock and put another sock over this to hold it in place and do this at night before you put the baby down for a sleep. Do this a couple of nights and the congestion should go as garlic is a natural antibiotic and helps with very young babies. Just make sure that the garlic doesn't touch the baby's foot as it will burn your son's tender skin on the bottom of the foot, hence the sock then the garlic and another sock. I wish you all the best and your son will soon get over his congestion. Ed

Hi, Kara,
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Donna F. Smith, Ph.D., N.D., C.C.N.
www.AdvancedClincialNutrition.com

You need to trust your doctor. You might want to find one that you believe in a little more. This is a start of a long relationship.