This morning my little cuddle bunny woke up absolutely miserable. He just was not content at all. Then the afternoon came and along with it came a low grade fever and some ear pulling. I am not a doctor, and I did not examine his little ears with a otoscope but I am quite confident that my little guy has an ear infection :(
Aside from one day with a runny nose back in September, this is the first time he has ever been unwell. He's nearly 10 months old and I suppose it was bound to happen but it still makes it no easier.
Years ago, when my daughter was just an infant, she too developed an ear infection. She was miserable, tugged at her ear, and developed a fever. We RAN her to the doctor. They gave us antibiotics. We gave her the maximum amount of Tylenol recommended. We cuddled. She was still miserable the next day. The fever came and went along with the Tylenol. The following day she was feeling better, but we now had a whole new problem to deal with. At the time of her ear infection I was still breastfeeding her and suddenly breastfeeding hurt. It wasn't a little painful. It was UNBELIEVABLY painful. We had never experienced any breastfeeding problems prior to that point. I was puzzled. Soon after, my precious little girl developed a nasty diaper rash and became quite miserable herself. She had never had diaper rash before. I was even more puzzled. So we went to the doctors again...... And..... We had YEAST! My nipples were infected, as were my daughters mouth and diaper area. What a mess. It was then I discovered why my mother always told me to eat yogurt with probiotics when on antibiotics. Antibiotics kill bacteria. Both the good bacteria and bad bacteria. That's right, us humans have good bacteria all over our bodies and we need it to keep nasty things like yeast (candida) at bay. When antibiotics are taken our natural defenses against such things weaken and we're subject to a take over. Yeast took over! So we had to be treated which turned out to be quite the endeavor. We were given an anti-fungal ointment to use on my nipples and her bum as well as Nystatin to combat her oral thrush. Off we went. And things didn't get better even after my daughter finished the entire course of her antifungal treatment. Breastfeeding continued to be a painful hell, the horrible diaper rash continued and my daughter still sported chunky white patches all over her mouth. We went back to the doctor. He prescribed Diflucan (a stronger anti-fungal with more potential side effects) and told us to continue using the same anti-fungal nipple/bum ointment. We went on our way and followed his orders. Upon completion of the Diflucan, breastfeeding continued to be painful as hell, the horrible diaper rash continued and my daughter STILL had white patches all over her mouth. We went back to the doctors once again. We were then prescribed gentian violet. At last, a treatment that finally worked! Sort of. My daughters oral thrush was eliminated, my candida infected nipples were treated BUT that diaper rash remained. We were using cloth nappies. So we stripped them. And stripped them. And stripped them. We let them hang in the sun. Then we stripped them again. Her poor little bum was so raw. We soothed it with plain yogurt in hopes to help eliminate the yeast. We kept using the anti-fungal ointment. I eliminated sugars from my diet. I even tried breast milk on her bum. Eventually, after we battled and battled, sterilized everything that touched my baby's mouth or bum, used 3 oral anti-fungal treatments, a medicated anti-fungal nipple/bum ointment, topical use of yogurt and breast milk, and stripped her cloth diapers SEVERAL times we finally eliminated our lives from the yeast. It took a little over 2 months. It was a LONG 2 months. But we finally destroyed the yeast that was taking over our lives. I am not sure what it was exactly that finally demolished the yeast or if it was a combination of EVERYTHING we did but one thing I do know is that I do not want to go through that again.
It turns out yeast is a VERY tough fungi. It is resilient to many treatments and it's resiliency is growing at an overwhelming pace. Nystatin is a very common first line treatment. It's one of the gentler anti-fungal treatment though it does have several potential side effects. Nystatin FREQUENTLY fails and has been known to make yeast infections worse. Diflucan isn't as gentle and it's toxic effects have been well illustrated. Yet, it is certainly not uncommon for yeast to withstand Diflucan as well. Then there's gentian violet. A messy solution. Some say it is one of the most effective solution, however it's known to cause oral sores and may be linked to oral cancer. Eek! And sometimes, none of those work. Over the years, I have even met a few poorly individuals who have had on again off again battles with yeast for months at a time who have experienced absolutely no relief from pharmacological approaches. YIKES!
I suppose the best way in treating yeast is to avoid getting it in the first place. More on that later.
So back to my baby boy. The poor little guy likely has an ear infection and this time I WILL NOT be running to the doctor this time. Over the years, I have read many a article on ear infections, best treatments, possible sequelae etc and have come to the research supported conclusion that 'most' ear infections will in fact resolve on their own with out any ill effects and that many ear infections are viral in nature and do not respond to antibiotics anyways. I have also read more deeply into the possible side effects of antibiotics. Yeast is certainly a risk but it is not the only consideration. Antibiotic resistant bacteria is also a growing REALconcern. And it's not a potential concern, it's an actually happening right now concern. Then there are the side effects and risk of allergy and possible anaphylaxis.
In terms of managing my baby boy, I have decided to take the natural approach and we will just observe for the time being. Observe and cuddle and comfort and offer as much mommy milk as his little heart desires. I have also decided to try using my breast milk directly to combat any possible ear infections as well. I have heard of many other mommies use it with success and I have used breast milk for several other ailments over the years so I'm going to give it a try and hope for the best.
Of course, if my little guy's fever gets too high, or if there is no improvement over time I will take him in to the doctor and I will be open to the medicated route. Often, 'natural' minded parents get a bad rap for being neglectful and uncaring when they deny treatments at the first sign of an illness but that is not the case at all. I, for one, am opting away from seeking antibiotics because I feel that that is the best thing for my little guy's health and well being both currently and long term. I am doing what I think is best for him and getting him well again IS my focus. I have absolutely no issue with the use of pharmacological treatments WHEN truly indicated. In fact, I have a great appreciation for medications and our advanced health care in general. But based on the current literature out there right now I do not feel antibiotic treatment is indicated. Antibiotic overuse is problem and I for one will not contribute.
BUT if things go astray and antibiotics are indicated for my son or anyone else in the family, prophylactic prevention of yeast WILL be a priority. Acidophilus is excellent in that regards and can be given to both adults and infants both orally and topically. Plain yogurt (not the sugary, sweetened fruity kind) is also an excellent source of probiotics which help to maintain healthy flora and avoid yeast overgrowth.
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