Penicillin allergy in babies

[AngelDog]

13 m.o. DS has been prescribed amoxycillin for an ear infection. I didn't think of it when we saw the doctor, but I'm allergic to penicillin and DS is breastfed, so is he likely to have an allergic reaction too?

A quick google suggests that if you have a penicillin allergy, you have antibodies which attack the penicillin as if it's a pathogen - and presumably DS will have these antibodies too.

I've not given him any of the amoxycillin yet but I presume I should go back to the doctor and ask for a different type of antibiotic?

He could certainly have a genetic disposition to penicillin allergy. I dont see why being bf will cause him to have an allergic response unless his own body creates antibodies to the allergen (penicillin). For him to react his own body would need to produce histimine. The antibodies in bmilk would be specific to your genetic makeup not DS iyswim.

I dont think that is well explained but I've never heard of what you are suggesting previously, have you seen an article? I always need to learn more.!

btw. antibiotics only shorten earache by a matter of less than a day but its up to you what you give.

Thanks, sneezecakesmum. The article I read was here but it could have been me misinterpreting what it said in the second paragraph.

I'm reluctant to give abx if there's a chance he might have an allergic reaction, so I'll perhaps hold off for now. The poor thing isn't well though. He's on a nursing strike (only feeding when sleepy) - probably due to his ears - and has a heavy cold, streaming nose, hacking cough and is cutting 4 molars, as well as being sick yesterday and today. :(

Further googling doesn't bring up any bf-specific information - the only one I could find was my own question on MN!

Hi
Reading through the article I cant see any reason why antibodies in your system would cause a reaction is DSs system.
I also had a thought about this yesterday and where I used to work I often had to mix up the antibiotic syrups (add water) and give them the parents with general instructions, eg; finish the course; stop if a rash develops etc. Also was there when docs handed over antibiotics, and I never, ever heard anyone ask 'are you still bfing?' We had meds training and I am absolutely sure something that could potentially kill a baby would have been shouted at us loud and clear! I think nothing to worry about.

Difficult re antibiotics, but a lot that are given dont work anyway as its all viral, even ears, and would go naturally anyway by the end of the course. But of course there are some that just get sicker, so bit of a no win situation from a Mums point of view!

I queried the doctor on this as my DP is allergic to Penicillin as is my father, and was told that it's not an allergy that is genetically passed on - that it's an aquired allergy

www.mayoclinic.com/health/penicillin-allergy/DS00620/DSECTION=causes

which the Mayo clinic confirms.

Careful with ear infections - if they don't fix themselves in a few days then take the ABs - I'm left with slight hearing loss and major scarring from an ear infection that I didn't get sorted quickly enough.

I didnt say it was genetically passed on I said genetically predisposed in the same way parents with asthma genetically predispose their children to asthma.
GPs usually leave ears and throats around 3 days before giving abx. If this is the case with DS I probably would give as ears are definitely a bit dodgy. Was just quoting latest research!

Well, I spoke to Wendy at the Breastfeeding Network who is a pharmacist - she confirmed that DS doesn't get anti-penicillin antibodies via my milk. Her recommendation was not to give the abx unless I really have to.

I don't know how long he's had the ear problem. We're on day 6 of a daytime nursing strike (DS will only bf when he's sleepy), but whether that's to do with the ear problems I have no idea.

What makes me most concerned is that he's had one feed each day where he's vomited up the entire contents of his stomach immediately after the feed.

I've had a V&D bug today but that seemed quite different.

We decided to give the abx after all. I think he might have conjunctivitis too as his eyes are red, sore & weeping. Off to see the doc again tomorrow.

Just a quick one to say I am also allergic to penicillin but my DD was fine on amoxycillin when she was about 8 months for an ear infection. She was also breastfed at that point.

Turns out he's got a bad chest infection too so I'm glad we decided to give the abx. We've more abx drops for his eyes, but I'm having a go at treating them with breastmilk first.

The GP wasn't too concerned about the vomiting though so that's a relief. The poor boy is teething too so it's all come at once.