Antibiotics for UTI when breastfeeding

[MummyFoxy]

Hello,
I had a UTI start overnight on Tuesday. By Thursday night I had stomach and back pain and fever/chills. Took myself to the same-day clinic with practice nurse yesterday, who confirmed UTI from urine dip, but then told me I can't have antibiotics because I'm breastfeeding. I could have cried, I felt so rough, and still do. I'm drinking loads of water and cranberry juice and taking paracetamol, but I'm worried it's going to progress into a full blown kidney infection if I don't take antibiotics. Does anyone have experience of a UTI while breastfeeding? Were you prescribed antibiotics or were you given the same advice? They've sent a sample off for testing but obviously won't get anything back from that for several days now.

I would have thought you definitely need antibiotics for a uti as can go into a kidney infection untreated. I think you just need an antibiotic safe for breastfeeding. Maybe alternatively could bottlefeed for a few days but definitely need antibiotics.

Rubbish! You can have antibiotics when breast feeding. That nurse needs some serious educating! If you're feeling so bad get back.

Breastfeeding network provides excellent information on the safety of drugs while breastfeeding.
If a uti needs treating, it needs treating whether you are breastfeeding or not.

Yes I had a tonne of antibiotics when breastfeeding. Did they test the bacteria to see which antibiotic was needed? Maybe that’s the issue. Wishing you all the best, I had a right pain getting rid of utis after childbirth (was fine in the end!)

That nurse is talking bollocks. Go back and see someone else.

Also, cranberry juice only works to help prevent uti's, it's actually not good once you actually have a uti, can even make it worse if you get a particularly sugary brand.

I would also maybe call 111, not good to leave a uti untreated for 4 extra days.

Thank you for all your replies. I've had amoxicillin for a chest infection since I've been bf, so I was surprised when she said I couldn't have them, but she said the particular abx used for uti are contraindicated when bf..? In my sleep deprived state I just went with her advice. They've sent a sample to the lab but god knows when that'll come back with it being Easter weekend (why do these things always happen at the worst possible time?). Will see how I get on overnight...

So sorry to hear this - you must be in such a state OP.

As a previous poster mentioned, the Breastfeeding Network have a pharmacist who provides information about the safety of drugs when breastfeeding.

She has produced a fact sheet about antibiotics here: https://breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/antibiotics%20and%20breastfeeding.pdf

Information about how to contact her by email or Facebook on this page: https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/detailed-information/drugs-in-breastmilk/

Really hope you feel better soon