ADMINISTERING ANTIBIOTIC USAGE IN BABIES

Sep 24, 2016 | Infant Care, Mother And Infant | 0 comments

Usage of antibiotics has been and always will be a matter of controversy. We can tackle this dilemma easily if we know the basic concept. Here we are attempting to answer a few questions related to antibiotics which most of us have in our mind.

WHAT ARE ANTIBIOTICS?

As the name suggests Antibiotics are medicines used to treat bacterial infections and not viral. In short, in case of viral disease like cough and cold these antibiotics will not be as effective until and unless it is associated with bacterial infection too. Also, we may require different antibiotics to fight different types of bacterial infections. The type of antibiotic and the potency may differ according to the stage of infection, the age of the patient and such other criteria. Your pediatrician will be suggesting for an antibiotic only after considering these factors.

ARE ANTIBIOTICS SAFE OR DO THEY HAVE SOME SIDE EFFECTS?

Obliviously, like any other modern medicines available in this world, antibiotics too have positive and negative effects on the body. Keep faith in your doctor that he will advise it only if benefits are more than the side effects and it is absolutely necessary only.

WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS SEEN?

Overuse of unnecessary antibiotics may lead to:

Diarrhea
Oral thrush
Diaper rash
Risk of resistance to antibiotics
Some studies show that it increases the risk of autoimmune diseases, IBS, Idiopathic arthritis etc.

The fact is that even though there are some serious side effects in certain conditions, these antibiotics are inevitable.

A general useful common tip when administering antibiotics to the babies and kids is to give a Probiotic along with it. If possible, discuss this and get it prescribed by your pediatrician.

What can we as parents do from our side?

We can help to improve the immunity of our kids. Prevention is always better than cure.

TIPS TO IMPROVE IMMUNITY IN BABIES:

Give Tulsi leaf juice with honey every day morning to prevent respiratory tract disorders.
Water boiled with Bay leaves can be given to avoid gastrointestinal infections.
Swarna Prashana i.e. administration of ghee based medicine fortified with swarna bhasma (Gold calyx) is a proven method of Ayurvedic immunization.
Always use clean and sterilized feeding spoons, glasses, plates and feeding bottles.