Ear infection while breastfeeding newborn - which antibiotics? Please help, feel totally broken.

[BabyLabyrinth]

DS is seven weeks old. I've had D&V, horrible cold and cough, and now this blasted ear infection in the last four weeks. DS and DD have had the vomiting and the colds/coughs. DS feeds every 2-3 hours and needs endless burping after each feed. His cough was bronchiolitis and could only sleep on me sitting upright for three weeks.

I am absolutely shattered and weak to the point I am unsafe to drive and worry about being at home alone with them both. DH great when here but works long hours.

I saw the doctor on Tuesday for my ears, and she gave me "weak" antibiotics in the form of ear drops. She told me to only take paracetamol, not ibuprofen, because of breastfeeding. I feel dreadful for DS but have been having to take 3 ibuprofen a day just to half function. The paracetamol don't touch the pain.

So I am going back to doc tomorrow as per her orders if it's not any better, and she's going to give me "proper" antibiotics. But I'm terrified of getting nipple thrush on top of everything else. Are there any antibiotics I could ask for that are less likely to cause problems? I am tandem feeding DD as well and can't face any more pain.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[PenguinBear]

I would ask a friend to go to Holland and Barrett and buy you some 'good bacteria' pills. I took them when I was on very strong ABs and they prevented any hint of thrush etc and were fab.
You keep them in the fridge and have one a day. I'll go and look up the name for you In a Minute :)

[noblegiraffe]

Ibuprofen is fine for breastfeeding.

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/dibm/analgesics_for_website_july_2013%20(2).pdf

[noblegiraffe]

Antibiotics which are safe are listed here:

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/dibm/antibiotics_and_Breastfeeding_oct_2013-%20wj.pdf

[BabyLabyrinth]

Thanks for the suggestions and list of safe ABs.

In my delirium last night, I thought you said to get the good bacteria pills from Holland, Penguin Bear. Which would have been perfect, as my mum is coming over to help me today and she lives in Holland! Unfortunately I'm in Germany, so no H&B here for me. Will ask the doc for something similar though.

I can see both children are awake on the baby phones and yet can't hear them at all. Very strange sensation. Must go.

[MinesAPintOfTea]

I had serious antibiotics for an infection post-birth. No ill effects on ds and no thrush. Plus think of all the painkillers women take whilst recovering.

Hope you feel better soon