Cold meds/Breastfeeding

[mrswillie]

All right guys, I'm dying over here! What do you take for a cold while BFing? I wanted to take some Dimetapp, but I saw something that said no, no. I'm not sure if it was because it can pass to baby or because it'll lower my supply. Honestly, I'm not all that worried about my supply being reduced. If anything, it'll help the bit of oversupply.

[sheepish]

I believe you can use nasal sprays like Afrin. It is awesomely helpful for nasal congestion (we call it magic nose spray at our house). You can only use it for 3 days, but that is just part of the general instructions for the medication, not breastfeeding related (if you take it too long, your sinuses react to it and it starts causing "rebound congestion"). That's the only thing I took when I had a cold a few weeks ago.

Here's a resource on cold meds and breastfeeding: kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/cold-remedy/

[lbonga1]

If I have a head cold or congestion, I actually take allergy medicine. I think Zyrtec? It was recommended to me once when I had a painful ear infection. I didn't notice a change in my supply while taking it.
For sore throat, I gargle with half apple cider vinegar and half water. Other than that, rest is really the best thing for you, though I know that's hard with a baby.

[mrswillie]

Thanks for the suggestions and the link. I tried to go to bed as early as possible these last two nights and sleep in the am while DH gets up with DS1 and 2. DS2 came in early this am since he's got it too. He went back to sleep and DH got up. So it was me and two snoring boys - DS2 and baby. LOL.