Help! Baby with conjunctivitis that won't go away

[Firstty]

Sorry posting for traffic. I'm not sure what to do.

10 month old DD has conjunctivitis. It wasn't clearing up so went to GP who diagnosed bacterial conjunctivitis and prescribed antibiotic eye ointment. She said it would clear up in about 2 days but we are 4 days in and it's just as bad.

Am I applying the ointment wrong? She screams and screws up her eyes when I try to apply it but I'm pretty sure I'm getting some in there.

Are you breastfeeding?

Breast milk is great for clearing up gunky eyes.

Go and get a different antibiotic from your GP, it might just be that that particular strain is resistant to that particular antibiotic. In four days there should be a clear difference if it's working.

I am breastfeeding but not sure I could squeeze any out as she only feeds twice a day now.

Will ring the GP first thing on Monday. Thanks!

Is it ointment as in cream? My DS has had conjunctivitis twice and was given drops. Both times they worked pretty much overnight. He is 21 months though and had both infections over the age of one so maybe they don't give the drops to younger children?

Breast milk really does work, mad as it sounds.
If you are feeding twice a day I bet you can squeeze out four or five drops?

mistermagpie the most common antibiotic for eyes comes as drops or ointment.

OP I agree, no improvement in 4 days means either not bacterial or you need a different antibiotic. Also, breast milk can't hurt, plus wipe with cooled boiled water on cotton wool 4 times a day. Wipe from inside corner to out once then throw away and do again with new pad if needed. Is the eye gunky?

Do call the GP, as advised, but I was told 7 days for bacterial conjunctivitis to clear up (with treatment) when DD had it, and that timeframe proved accurate.

Her eyes are very gunky. They need wiped in the morning before she can open them. I've been wiping with water several times a day.

If it's ointment and you have a non compliant baby you might not be getting much/any in.But yes,I'd speak to GP again.

Jingle- the ointment says to throw away after 5 days

Make sure you finish the antibiotics and if there is still a problem go to your GP

Camomile tea on a cotton pad, no double wiping.

You really should try breast milk. It worked for both of mine.

I once was asked if I would express some for another child as the GP had prescribed antibiotics, they hadn't worked and their suggestion was to see if the person asking knew a mum at play group they could ask for some.

Thanks so much for the advice everyone. Will try to squeeze out some breast milk tomorrow

One of my dc had this loads about the same age. Numerous drops from GP, turned out it was blocked tear ducts (apparently quite common) and eyes became gunky in mornings as no lubrication over night. I had to massage the corner of eyes with warm compress. The other thing I was told was that most conjunctivitis is viral not bacterial in young children. We were due to have a small procedure at the ENT department to unblock the tear ducts when it all resolved spontaneously.

Also came on to say breastmilk. A quick squirt in each eye before each feed will soon sort it out. Consider freezing some for this purpose if she is prone to eye infections.