Guidelines for the use of antibiotics for breastfeeding women
During the breastfeeding period, the health status of mothers directly affects the growth of the baby. When faced with infection, many mothers find it difficult to use antibiotics: fear that drugs will have a negative impact on the baby and fear that failure to treat will exacerbate the condition. This paper will provide women who are breastfeeding with detailed information on the use of antibiotics and help mothers to deal with their own infection in a rational manner while safeguarding their child ‘ s health.
I. The principle of breastfeeding medicine
Safety priority: Select the antibiotics that have the least impact on the baby. The American Paediatrics Society (AAP) divides the effects of drugs on breast-feeding infants into five levels: L1 – L5, of which L1 – L3 drugs are usually considered safe for breastfeeding or after careful assessment, while L4 – L5 drugs are relatively risky and need to be avoided as much as possible.
Effectiveness considerations: Ensure that the selected antibiotics are effective in treating mother-to-child infections in order to prevent further risk to mother-to-child health.
Following medical instructions, doctors develop personalized drug programmes for breastfeeding women, taking into account the multiple factors of the type, severity, safety and effectiveness of the mother ‘ s infection. Therefore, it is essential that medicines be strictly prescribed and recommended by the doctor.
II. Commonly safe antibiotics
Penicillin: Amosilin, etc. The use of these antibiotics is safer during the breastfeeding period and has little impact on the baby. They can effectively treat a variety of bacterial infections, such as respiratory infections, skin soft tissue infections, etc.
Haemorrhagic molluscs: e.g., fascination. Its antibacterial spectrum is wide and its side effects are relatively small, and when used during the breastfeeding period, there is generally no apparent adverse reaction to the baby and it is often used to treat infections in the respiratory, urinary, etc.
III. Attention to the use of antibiotics
Timing of medication and breastfeeding time: As soon as possible after breastfeeding, this will result in a maximum concentration of blood before next breastfeeding, thereby reducing the amount of milk taken by the baby. For example, if a drug is required every six hours, it can be taken immediately after breastfeeding and then at intervals of 4 – 5 hours for the next breastfeeding.
Watching the baby ‘ s reaction: During the medication, the mother is to watch closely whether the baby has abnormal symptoms such as diarrhoea, rashes and vomiting. If the child is found to be indisposed, the doctor should be informed in a timely manner in order to determine whether it is related to the drug and take appropriate measures.
It is not possible to stop or change its own medicine: even if the symptoms are abated, the treatment shall be completed in accordance with the procedure prescribed by the doctor in order to completely eliminate the disease and prevent the recurrence of the infection. Self-detoxification can lead to repeated cases, while drug substitution may increase risks due to inappropriate drug selection.
Treatment of special situations
Mothers are allergic to commonly-used antibiotics: if the mother is allergic to penicillin or precipitin-type drugs, the doctor selects other suitable antibiotics, such as large esters (e.g., Achicillin), and closely monitors the mother ‘ s and the baby ‘ s response.
The infection is severe and requires the use of specific antibiotics: in some cases, the use of relatively less safe antibiotics for breastfeeding may be required. At this point, the doctor weighs the pros and cons, may recommend a moratorium on breastfeeding during the time of the mother ‘ s medication and give the mother guidance on how to keep the milk secret, such as the use of a milk pump to suck milk on a regular basis, before returning to breast-feeding after it has stopped.
Breast-feeding women do not need to be too scared to use antibiotics, but they must not be taken lightly. Access to relevant knowledge, following the professional guidance of a doctor, and the rational choice and use of antibiotics are both effective for the treatment of the mother ‘ s illness and maximum protection of the child ‘ s health, allowing the mother and the baby to survive this special period.
