Daycare colds are just part of life now.
We had accepted that. The runny nose that never really goes away. The cough that lingers. The constant guessing of is this still the same cold or a new one.
But after a while it started to feel different. Her congestion was not improving and we were worried it was turning into a sinus infection. So we took her in and ended up getting prescribed amoxicillin.
It felt very normal. Very routine. Like okay this is what you do.
What I did not realize is what can come with it.
Why Babies Get Prescribed Amoxicillin
If you are here, you are probably wondering why your baby was prescribed amoxicillin.
Amoxicillin is one of the most common antibiotics for babies and is typically used for:
- Ear infections
- Sinus infections
- Respiratory infections
- Throat infections
- Certain skin infections
It is widely used and considered safe. We felt comfortable giving it. I just wish I had a better understanding of the side effects ahead of time.
Common Amoxicillin Side Effects in Babies
Before starting, I had only really heard about allergic reactions like hives.
But there are a lot of more common amoxicillin side effects in babies that no one really walks you through.
Here is what can happen:
- Upset stomach
- Diarrhea or loose stools
- Changes in appetite
- Mild rash
- Yeast overgrowth (including yeast diaper rash)
- Gas and stomach discomfort
And something I was not expecting at all.
Her diapers smelled so bad.
Her poop and pee were both stronger and just different. You could tell her stomach was off while she was on the antibiotic.
Our Baby’s Reaction to Amoxicillin
At first everything seemed totally fine.
- No hives
- No allergic reaction
- She did not mind the taste
- Took it easily
We thought we got lucky.
And for about two weeks nothing seemed off.
Yeast Diaper Rash After Amoxicillin
Then out of nowhere she developed the worst diaper rash we have ever seen.
If you are searching yeast diaper rash after amoxicillin, this is exactly what it looked like for us:
- Bright red skin
- Looked like a sunburn
- Very inflamed
- Raw spots
- Started bleeding
It escalated really quickly.
This was not a normal diaper rash.
Can Amoxicillin Cause Diaper Rash?
Yes. And this is something I wish I knew sooner.
Antibiotics like amoxicillin can disrupt the balance of good bacteria in your baby’s gut. When that happens, yeast can grow more easily, which can lead to a yeast diaper rash.
In our case, it showed up about two weeks after starting the medication.
Sleep Changes We Did Not Expect
This part was honestly the hardest.
Our baby normally sleeps 7pm to 7am straight.
But the first two nights with the rash she woke up every 2 to 3 hours. You could tell she was uncomfortable.
There was not much we could do besides hold her and rock her.
We did give her Tylenol for two days hoping it would help with the pain, but it did not seem to make much of a difference.
What We Did for the Yeast Diaper Rash
We started with our normal diaper rash routine, which I break down fully here: how to heal diaper rash fast, including stubborn yeast rashes
But it was not enough this time.
It kept getting worse, so we went to urgent care to have it checked.
They confirmed it was a yeast diaper rash and told us to:
- Keep our routine consistent
- Give it about a week to heal
We did use antifungal and a small amount of cortisone at first, but once things started improving, the doctor told us we could stop both and just stick with butt paste.
That is what finally carried us through the rest of the healing.
Boudreaux's Butt Paste Max Strength Diaper Rash Cream
- 40% zinc oxide
- Max strength formula
- Pediatrician tested
- Fragrance free
Pros: Creates a strong barrier, works fast on severe rashes, easy to apply. Cons: Thick formula can be harder to wipe off at changes. Best for: Stubborn or severe diaper rash once the acute phase starts to improve.
Foods We Used During the Rash (Less Acidic Options)
While she was dealing with the rash, we also adjusted her purees just in case it helped reduce irritation.
We focused on less acidic foods like:
- Sweet potatoes
- Bananas
- Oatmeal
- Avocado
- Butternut squash
And we avoided:
- Tomatoes
- Citrus
- Berries
Not saying this was the fix, but it felt like the right move while her skin was so sensitive.
Healing Timeline
By the end of the week, the rash had improved a lot.
The redness was mostly gone.
But there were dark spots left behind that looked honestly pretty bad.
So we got those checked too.
The Dark Spots Were Scabs
It turned out her skin had been so irritated that it formed scabs as it healed.
At that point, we were told again to keep it simple and continue with just butt paste.
We did that for another week and she was completely back to normal.
What I Wish I Knew About Amoxicillin for Babies
If you are about to start amoxicillin or are in the middle of it, here is what I would want to know:
- Side effects are not always immediate
- It can affect your baby’s stomach more than you expect
- Diaper changes can be very different
- Yeast diaper rash after antibiotics is common
- It can escalate quickly
Final Thoughts
If you are going through this right now, you are not alone.
It is stressful and it feels like it comes out of nowhere.
For us, it was a rough stretch. Lots of holding her. Lots of middle of the night wake ups. Lots of second guessing.
But it did pass.
And now we know what to look for next time.