Antibiotics are only effective against bacteria – they don't help at all in fighting viruses, the culprit behind colds, the flu, and many respiratory illnesses. So if your baby has any of these conditions, antibiotics simply won't help. Giving your baby antibiotics when they're not necessary actually makes bacteria more resistant to treatment, which can cause problems when your baby really does need bacteria-fighting medicine. For this reason, the overprescription of antibiotics is a growing concern in the medical community. Also, antibiotics aren't without their own risks. As with any medicine, they can produce side effects or even serious allergic reactions.

Can I stop giving my baby the antibiotics when it seems he or she is feeling better?

No. Give the full course of prescribed antibiotics, just as your baby's doctor directs. Stopping any earlier may not eliminate the illness completely or may cause other, more serious health problems.

What if my baby throws up or spits out a dose?

If your baby vomited right after taking the antibiotics or gagged on the medicine so that most of it came right back out of his or her mouth, it's okay to replace the dose. But try figuring out why he or she vomited – from gagging or because he or she is sick? Ask your doctor for suggestions on how to make a medication easier to swallow. Your local pharmacy may also be able to add special flavorings to certain medicines to make them more palatable to your baby.

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