What do you know about using amoxicillin while breastfeeding?

Is it safe to use amoxicillin while breastfeeding? What is the cause of the side effects in this case and how to prevent it? aFamilyToday Health will answer these questions for you.

Amoxicillin is safe, even when combined with clavulanic acid because its side effects are rare and if they do, the symptoms usually don't last long. Notable side effects in babies are drowsiness and diarrhea  but they will go away on their own without the need for medication intervention.

Therefore, it can be concluded that amoxicillin is safe for the nursing infant. However, no matter how safe the drug is, you should consult your doctor before use.

The cause of the side effect

Side effects are due to penicillin derived from the penicillium fungus. Your baby's immune system will assume penicillin is the pathogen and try to attack penicillin to protect the immune system. This is manifested through symptoms such as diarrhea and a rash in the child. In addition, the immune system can develop antibodies to attack penicillin leading to allergies.

Amoxicillin is often combined with clavulanic acid compounds when taken in liquid or tablet form. Children are more prone to allergies when mothers use a mixture of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid instead of just using amoxicillin. However, if this is the real reason for the side effects, no one has yet to verify it.

Measures to reduce the side effects of amoxicillin during breastfeeding

1. When you go to the doctor, tell the doctor you are breastfeeding

The doctor may ask about your baby's age, frequency of feeding, history of antibiotics or food allergies. Then, depending on your situation, your doctor will prescribe you a dose of amoxicillin that is less likely to cause a side effect in your baby.

2. Do not overdose

Take exactly the dosage prescribed by your doctor and do not overdose, especially amoxicillin in liquid form. Besides, you should use the ruler that comes with the medicine bottle to measure the dose.

3. Use amoxicillin after breastfeeding

Amoxicillin is safe, but if you take it every day, it should be taken after breast-feeding. In addition, you also need to talk about the distance between the times you breastfeed with your doctor to reduce the risk of side effects.

4. Give your baby a bottle

If you are worried that your baby will have an allergy, while using the medicine, give your baby formula milk. If your child is older than 12 months, cow's milk will surely be a suitable alternative for your baby, you should let him combine using cow's milk and other nutritional foods.

If the mother has inflammatory breast cancer, she should be treated immediately, because if the mother's body is healthy, the baby will not have any diseases. And of course during treatment, if you are breastfeeding, you should monitor your baby regularly to prevent unfortunate cases from happening.

Through the above sharing, you must have an answer to the question of whether to use amoxicillin when breastfeeding properly or not. If you are too worried, please see your doctor for a more detailed consultation.