Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them

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Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« on: December 05, 2008, 02:33:49 PM » by Yooper

I know we talk about leaky gut and candida overgrowth...I'm starting to look at this topic a bit more specifically-- the long-term/delayed effects of antibiotics at birth (for the baby) and how to counteract them.

Here's a starter article:
Could peripartum antibiotics have delayed health consequences for the infant?

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16827757

Please post other helpful articles here and/or share experiences.

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2008, 08:45:31 PM » by still*learning

I have never researched this but after I became a member here and learned about yeast and the bad effects of antibiotics, I came up with my own theory for my children's bad health. I will share my story.

We have two children - dd age 5 and ds age 3. Both dh and I have allergies and asthma. Allergies and asthma also run on both sides of the family with other family members. From ages 5 - 8, I got pneumonia frequently. It would wipe me out for a week or two at a time. I also suffered from chronic ear infections. I took A LOT of antibiotics growing up.

My dd suffered from a couple of colds and a couple of ear infections during her first year of life. And while that is not great, I was actually surprised because I was working and she went to a babysitter with other kids each day. Her health really started to get bad when she was close to 2 years old. I stopped working when she was 1 to stay home with her. At this time, she started to pick up everything. That is when we started the really bad habit of antibiotics. Now I am not an extreme on here on WTM. I will try natural and if it does not work, I will give antibiotics. But by this I mean the viscious cycle of antibiotics stripping her immune system and never building it back up with probiotics. So of course she continued to get sick and then she got more antibiotics and it continued on.

My ds was born 4 weeks early. Due to his early arrival, my strep b test was not back yet. I was put on an antibiotic via IV since they did not have the results of his test. WellTellMe was not around then and I never questioned them I just went with the flow. This meant that they would not have to keep him in the hospital longer or administer additional tests. Well once this site went live when he was about 8 months old and I started reading about yeast and antibiotics, the light bulb went off in my head. My first thought was related to me being on IV antibiotics. "He didn't stand a chance," was my first thought. It explained so much to me and his constant illness.

My ds suffered from bronchilitis (a form of RSV) three times in his first year of life. He was a wheezer and a cougher. He suffered from ear infections. He was on antibiotics, steroids and nebulizer treatments. My dd was not improving either. These two picked up something constantly. Their immune systems were shot.

Well after the informative and wonderful advice from many smart people here, this mama started building their immune systems up. Tummy Tune Up is part of their vocabulary. Along with daily doses of that in their juice or milk, our kids also received a multi vitamin, vitamin c and a fruit and vegetable supplement. I began giving them herbs at the onset of illnesses aand attempted to cure their illness on my own. I was not and am not always successful. BUT if we do administer antibiotics, the end of the treatment is met with a strigent regimen to rebuild the healthy flora in their bodies.

All of these things have gotten us to a much better place today. It has been a long road. It did not happen quickly. BUT my children's immune systems were not broken down just one time. Finally 2008 has been a much better year for us health wise. I am seeing where my children can fight away some illness. I have been so thankful for that.

I am here to say that I do believe that antibiotics given during or after birth can alter the baby's health.

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #2 on: December 07, 2008, 09:50:56 PM » by Yooper

still*learning,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

This is just what I want to hear about...well, sort of. Undecided

The victories are what I'm REALLY interested in. Wink

I was on antibiotics at birth, not nursed, and have struggled w/ eczema.

My 2nd child was on antibiotics at birth and he's quite healthy and strong (nursed for 18 months), but has toenail issues, doesn't seem to put on excess weight (lean and muscular), and sometimes has stomach complaints (we've been GF for 1.5 years). We were both vaccinated, too. Sad

I'm looking at a few parts of this...

1) Building up the intestinal flora that was adversely affected,

2) Ridding us of any bacteria/fungus/virus etc. that thrived in the absence of these good flora.

3) Understanding better how our present/future health relates back to this so we can address our symptoms accordingly (and alert others).

There's lots of anecdotal stuff about these issues on here and I enjoy that. I hope to see some research here, too.

I am currently on LOTS of garlic daily, and taking a heavy duty probiotic. I will be doing the same for my boy.

Mykidsmom posted on the GAPS thread, I think, of a recent appt. w/ a DAN Dr. that had me encouraged...they were dealing w/ specific bacteria in the gut...not metals or candida...

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #3 on: December 07, 2008, 10:12:20 PM » by herbs girl

Does this count? I have a 8 week old daughter. I was feeding her breastmilk for about 5 1/2 weeks and I have been on antibiotics alot of the time scince she has been born for mastitis. She was also just in the hospital with a fever,and they had her on IV antibiotics. She had a flaming yeast infection/diaper rash.

I put diaper rash/thrush cream, and started her on a pretty good dose of probiotics. In each bottle I put 1/8 tsp of Nature's Way Reuteri probiotic powder. It is making a difference. Easier BM's, and her bottom looks pretty good! I am hoping to build her immune system up.

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #4 on: December 11, 2008, 01:56:47 PM » by WellTellMommy

Yooper,

Maybe this is what your looking for.
http://gapsdiet.com/uploads/GAPS.pdf
We also have a long story of antibiotics and illness as I was raised on at lest one antibiotic every month or two and now see the lack of health in our children.

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DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #5 on: December 11, 2008, 02:48:20 PM » by Yooper

WTM--THANK YOU! Kiss

I skimmed a page or two and indeed, it looks very helpful. I was checking out the GAPS thread, too, but missed this.

Hi, HG!

Been praying for you...and now for your little girl. Sounds like you are doing what I wish I would have w/ my little guy. God bless your efforts!

So I am wondering...does the lack of good flora at birth (either due to c/s, antibiotics, not being nursed, etc.) then lead to the likelihood of your gut being dominated by some tough bacteria or strains from vaccinations? Huh

Exploring GSE here...

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #6 on: December 11, 2008, 06:51:06 PM » by WellTellMommy

Quote from: Yooper on December 11, 2008, 02:48:20 PM

WTM--THANK YOU! Kiss

I skimmed a page or two and indeed, it looks very helpful. I was checking out the GAPS thread, too, but missed this.

So I am wondering...does the lack of good flora at birth (either due to c/s, antibiotics, not being nursed, etc.) then lead to the likelihood of your gut being dominated by some tough bacteria or strains from vaccinations? Huh

Exploring GSE here...

Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought I read about that on the same link as above.

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DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #7 on: December 12, 2008, 04:29:30 PM » by boysmama

Here's a GAPS article that goes in this thread. Just to be clear you'll have to read the whole article. Cheesy

The part that specifically talks about infants is in the middle. http://gapsdiet.com/uploads/GAPS.pdf

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #8 on: December 12, 2008, 08:20:17 PM » by WellTellMommy

Just a taste of the pdf link listed above. Wink

A modern mum has seriously compromised gut flora by the time she is ready to have children.
And indeed clinical signs of gut dysbiosis (abnormal gut flora) are present in almost
100% of mothers of children with neurological and psychiatric conditions.
Why are we talking about mother’s gut flora? Because her baby is born with a
sterile gut. In the first 20 or so days of life the baby’s virgin gut surface gets
populated by a mixture of microbes. This is the child’s gut flora, which will have a
tremendous effect on this child’s health for the rest of his/her life. Where does
this gut flora come from? Mainly from the mother.
So, whatever microbial flora the mother has she would pass to her new-born
child.
Gut flora is something we do not think much about. And yet the number of
functions the gut flora fulfils is so vital for us that if some day our digestive tract
got sterilised we probably would not survive.
The first and very important function is appropriate digestion and absorption of
food. If a child does not acquire normal balanced gut flora, then the child will not
digest and absorb foods properly, developing multiple nutritional deficiencies.
And that is what we commonly see in children and adults with learning
disabilities, psychiatric problems and allergies. Many of these patients are
malnourished.

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DD 5yo---Mom, I think we should take a camera with us when we go to Heaven, it'll be so beautiful up there.

Sherri

Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #9 on: December 13, 2008, 08:39:46 PM » by Yooper

Thank you for posting, Ladies on GAPS. Kiss

I finally read the PDF file and I think she's right on, and I fit the bill. Here's another interview she has.

http://www.guthealth.info/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=1

I can't tell you how hopeful I am! Everyone should read this....

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #10 on: March 29, 2009, 11:50:35 AM » by 4myhoonie

Quote from: WellTellMommy on December 12, 2008, 08:20:17 PM

Just a taste of the pdf link listed above. Wink

just curious what happens when a baby is not breastfed? where does the babies flora come from, i wouldn't think there would be any in formula. just wondering........

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #11 on: March 29, 2009, 01:29:31 PM » by herbs girl

Quote

just curious what happens when a baby is not breastfed? where does the babies flora come from, i wouldn't think there would be any in formula. just wondering........

My daughter drinks formula--she is my 4th child--but she is my healthiest child. She has hardly been sick at all scince she was born, even with others having the stomach flu, colds, ect all around her. If she did get something, it usually was really light and a little stuffy nose or something, and it would go away. Hard to believe? Its true. Yep, her formula contains Probiotics (Good Start Natural Cultures with Bifidobacterium Lactis) I also add 1/4 tsp of a very special probiotic Reuteri to each of her bottles Reuteri is a probiotic found in breastmilk, and has had clinical studies on babies for colic, less fever, less sickness, it also eradicates salamenella, e-coli, ect in the body. I use Natures Way Reuteri powder and I go through almost 2 cans a month of the stuff.

My baby had IV antibiotics when she was 5 weeks old. About 6 weeks, I started adding probiotics to her bottles. I think it helped to counter-act the effect the antibiotics had on her system.

Probiotics also helps eczema and skin. My doctor even commented on my baby's skin. It is so soft and beautiful.

I am a big Probiotic fan!!!!!!!!!!!

For babies that do not receive probiotic enhance formula (probably alot do not?), I read that thier flora is more like an adults flora, and what they aquire from around them, ect.

« Last Edit: March 29, 2009, 02:42:01 PM by herbs girl »
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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #12 on: March 29, 2009, 03:53:20 PM » by Whiterock

Quote from: 4myhoonie on March 29, 2009, 11:50:35 AM

just curious what happens when a baby is not breastfed? where does the babies flora come from, i wouldn't think there would be any in formula. just wondering........

Babies are first inoculated with bacteria in the vaginal canal (kinda gross but that's what I've read). I wonder about c-section babies who are not breastfed.

WR

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #13 on: March 30, 2009, 06:54:29 AM » by hi_itsgwen

Quote from: Whiterock on March 29, 2009, 03:53:20 PM

Quote from: 4myhoonie on March 29, 2009, 11:50:35 AM

just curious what happens when a baby is not breastfed? where does the babies flora come from, i wouldn't think there would be any in formula. just wondering........

Babies are first inoculated with bacteria in the vaginal canal (kinda gross but that's what I've read). I wonder about c-section babies who are not breastfed.

WR

doesn't our skin have flora on it too? I thought handling, kissing, etc. all transfer our flora to baby.

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Re: Antibiotics with an Infant: Delayed Effects and Counteracting Them
« Reply #14 on: March 30, 2009, 07:09:22 AM » by Yooper

That makes sense, too, Gwen. I think the GAPS book said that babies on formula develop different gut flora, but gut flora develops, nonetheless. I'd look it up, but my book's on loan.

Quote from: herbs girl on March 29, 2009, 01:29:31 PM

...For babies that do not receive probiotic enhance formula (probably a lot do not?), I read that their flora is more like an adults flora, and what they acquire from around them, etc.

I'm SO happy to hear that report, herbs girl! Grin