Probiotics for newborns (Group B Strep related)

[Schnitzel]

Hello,

I am group B Strep colonized and will therefore be on an antibiotic drip during labour. I'm concerned about the effects this large amount of antibiotics will have on my baby but neither my GP or midwife have mentioned anything about this.

I think a baby is born with little or no gut bacteria. When we (adults) take antibiotics they of course wipe out the good and bad bacteria but isn't an intense course of antibiotics for the baby just going to make the baby even more prone to infections than normal?

Does anyone know whether there is such a thing as probiotics for newborns?

Thanks!
Schnitzel

Are you aware that the AB during labour are a choice?
I chose not to have them as they pose their own health risks, both to the baby and me. It was a lovely midwife who first raised my awareness of the huge dose for a tiny newborn which was totally at odds with the rest of my natural drug free birth plan

Personally I would have them as we have a friend who's baby died from strepb I'm paying for the testbas my trust don't test as routine! The baby was one and a half days old!

Look at the strepb support groups and get all the facts before you make your decision.

I have no doubt that I am going to choose to take the antibiotics during labour.

I just wondered what I could do either before or afterwards to ease things for the baby. Probiotics was something that came to mind but (after some basic googling) I have no idea whether they are available for newborns and wondered whether anyone had ever given them to their baby before?

Are you planning on BF? I took a probiotic before, during and after DD was born when I had anti-Bs they (the probiotics)apparently transfer via the BM to the baby.

I think there are probiotics in both Aptamil and Cow and Gate formula milk but i don't know how much and i haven't bought any for 2 years

Hi, the best probiotics you can get for your LO (to my knowledge) is Biocare's Infantobacterium (spelling?). I bought mine from the nutricentre online. Although any good health food shop may stock them, or will order them for you. You make a little paste with water and put it on your nipple before breastfeeding. Or if bottle feeding you can add it to the bottle. You must keep them in fridge.

I gave them to ds1, he was 6 weeks premature. Therefore given IV AB for 3 days, then had IV AB for 5 days at 2 wk's old as they thought he had another problem. He's now 2 and has never had an infection of any kind and is a very strong little boy, just the usual colds and viruses! Obviously i can't say it was the probiotis but I know they have helped to build up his resistance

I used Solgar's ABC one for DS. Have also used Optibac Probiotic one recommended for pregnant women and babies. Basically all the ones for babies have a bacteria called "bifidobacterium infantis" in them. You should definitely take them too, the highest dose you can find. I got thrush after taking antibiotics for mastitis in the very early days and it was hell. I was taking probiotics but not very strong ones. After about 3 weeks of antifungals and lots of tears I went to the health food shop and they gave the me highest strength probiotic and this cleared it up. I gave it to DS in a bottle as he was having lots of expressed bottles by this point!

DS is now 3 and I always use probiotics prior to holidays - he's been to India and Egypt without any tummy complaints at all (having said that, I also took them and got a dodgy tummy so perhaps he just has a strong stomach anyway!). Good luck.

Brilliant information there - thank you ladies!

I was tested for strep-B just before being induced due to hindwater leak. I was given IB antibiotics in labour and would do same again.
I think you can take comfort in the fact that if you are intending to breastfeed, the colostrum you produce will have lots of anti-infective benefits for your baby, and has (I think) special stuff in it to support gut flora.

In fact, I think bovine colostrum is marketed as an immune-system supplement ( I dunno why, this makes me want to go bleeeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuuurghhhh - hypocritical, given I drink tons of cow milk).