Unless I am very mistaken, the point of the pyridium is to relieve discomfort, and it has little if anything to do with the actual cure.  It is also less often used than it used to be (presumably what Hale was referring to - if it isn't useful, why expose baby to the unknown?).  So, why can't mom skip it, breastfeed, take her antibiotics, push fluids and sitz, if necessary?

Willow