BTDT Moms WWYD - Baby with a cold

DD came down with a cold two weeks ago today. I say cold b/c she has been to the MD twice and both times the MD has said her lungs & ears are clear and it's just a cold. At the end of each visit the MD said if she isn't better in a week to bring her back.

This is my dilemna . . . the second time we went, the MD said DD should take 7 days of antibiotics. I was totally against the idea of treating a cold with antibiotics. I mean really - you don't give them to an adult for just a cold why would you give them to a child?? The MD said OK, but told me if she wasn't better at the end of the second week I would have no choice.

Now, obviously I have the choice of not bringing her back to MD, or bringing her back and still saying no to antibiotics, or going back and getting a prescription. I am just undecided and unsure and would like opinions.

My initial reasons for avoiding antibiotics were:
1. DD is not yet 6 months old
2. MD says her ears & lungs are clear so I truly didn't see the wisdom
3. In an adult you don't give antibiotics for a cold
4. I don't want to establish a drug resistance in her

Reasons to rethink:
It has now been two full weeks and DD's congestion is not improving at all. I've had the vaporizer on overnight for a full week with liquid Vicks in it, and still she wakes up all congested and stuffy.

She hasn't had a fever at all during the last two weeks. She has had days where she is crankier than usual, and a few days with very very loose stools (that MD said were normal b/c of the amount of saliva she was swallowing). Other than that she seems fine.

So, at the end of this long winded description . . . WWYD??

Re: BTDT Moms WWYD - Baby with a cold

It is a tough decision but in the end, you are the mother and you do what you feel is right.
I think the doc might prescribe the antibiotic as a preventative measure against an ear infection. Many times in an infant, a cold will go into their ears. This is the only thing I can think of

Re: BTDT Moms WWYD - Baby with a cold

Have you asked about allergies??? This year is exceptionally bad for the ol' allergies...

Lexi's allergies wound up getting so bad that we had to put her on the nebulizer..this is the first year we've even had to give her medication for them let alone a nebulizer!!!

Additionally here's my thinking..she's OK with giving her an antibiotic but not giving her a decogestant??? (you already know my view on this)...

I would definitely have the ped explain her rationale behind giving her an antibiotic...I personally wouldnt feel comfortable doing so....But then again Im someone who doesnt like giving a child an antibiotic for an ear infection UNLESS they are running a fever and/or in pain..Ive seen one to many ear infections clear up on their own...My view might be a little extreme when it comes to antibiotics.

Re: BTDT Moms WWYD - Baby with a cold

D---I'd avoid the antibiotics...it also sounds like she could be teething...I know G was very congested/loose poopy b4 her 2 teeth peeked through. I'd continue w/ the vaporizer & if you can elevate her a bit in her crib & put the Vicks her on her feet.

I hope she feels better....

Re: BTDT Moms WWYD - Baby with a cold

2 weeks with no improvement and I would give antibiotics for sure. She may have an infection somwhere causing the congestion.