Can I take ease a cold while breastfeeding?

Navigating Cold Relief While Breastfeeding
When a nursing mother catches a cold, the immediate concern often revolves around the safety of taking medication while breastfeeding. Fortunately, there are effective ways to manage cold symptoms without compromising the health of the baby.
Safe Cold Medications
The good news for breastfeeding mothers is that many over-the-counter (OTC) cold medications are considered safe to use. Common options include acetaminophen and ibuprofen, which can help alleviate body aches and sore throats. These medications are generally well-tolerated and pose minimal risk to infants when taken in recommended doses. Additionally, throat lozenges and saline nasal sprays can provide relief without the need for stronger medications.
However, it is crucial for mothers to be vigilant about the active ingredients in any medication. Some cold remedies may contain components that are not recommended during breastfeeding, so consulting with a healthcare provider or pharmacist is advisable before starting any new medication.
Continuing to Breastfeed
Mothers often worry about the implications of their illness on breastfeeding. The reassuring news is that it is typically safe to continue nursing even when experiencing a cold. In fact, breastfeeding can provide the baby with antibodies that help fight off infections. However, mothers should practice good hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, to minimize the risk of transmitting germs to their infants.
It’s also worth noting that a baby may want to nurse more frequently but for shorter periods when the mother is sick. This behavior can be attributed to the baby’s need for comfort and the potential difficulty in feeding due to nasal congestion.
Alternative Remedies
In addition to medications, there are several non-pharmaceutical approaches to easing cold symptoms. Staying hydrated, using a humidifier, and gargling with warm salt water can all help soothe discomfort without affecting breastfeeding.
In summary, while a cold can be an unwelcome challenge for nursing mothers, there are safe and effective ways to manage symptoms. By choosing appropriate medications and maintaining breastfeeding practices, mothers can care for themselves while continuing to nurture their babies.

How do you treat a cold in a breastfed baby?

Self care

1. Offer plenty of fluids. Liquids are important to avoid dehydration.
2. Suction your baby’s nose. Keep your baby’s nasal passages clear with a rubber-bulb syringe.
3. Try nasal saline drops. Your baby’s doctor may recommend saline nasal drops to moisten nasal passages and loosen thick nasal mucus.
4. Moisten the air.

How can I prevent passing my cold to my baby?

The best defense against the common cold is commonsense precautions and frequent hand-washing.

1. Keep your baby away from anyone who’s sick.
2. Wash your hands before feeding or touching your baby.
3. Clean your baby’s toys and pacifiers often.
4. Teach everyone in the household to cough or sneeze into a tissue.

What decongestant is safe while breastfeeding?

Afrin (oxymetazoline) nasal spray is a nasal decongestant that can be used safely while breastfeeding. Because the medicine is not absorbed well from the nasal passages, it doesn’t have the same effect on milk supply that decongestants taken by mouth can have.

Which cold tablet is safe during breastfeeding?

Options like Robitussin, Delsym, Triaminic and Vicks DayQuil Cough are unlikely to affect your supply and have no reported infant side effects. Pseudoephedrine. Another cold medicine safe for breastfeeding moms and their little ones is pseudoephedrine, the active ingredient in Sudafed and Allegra D.

Is ease a cold safe while breastfeeding?

Can I use the Ease a Cold products in Breastfeeding? Some Ease A Cold products contain a number of traditional medicinal herbs that have not been scientifically assessed for use their during breastfeeding. It is therefore advisable to be cautious during this time and to consult your health professional before use.

Can I take vitamin C while breastfeeding?

The recommended vitamin C intake in lactating women is 120 mg daily, and for infants aged 6 months or less is 40 mg daily. [1] High daily doses up to 1000 mg increase milk levels, but not enough to cause a health concern for the breastfed infant and is not a reason to discontinue breastfeeding.

Why can’t you take cold and flu tablets while breastfeeding?

Over-the-counter medications and breastfeeding
Paracetamol, when taken as directed, is safe for breastfeeding. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid any cold or flu tablets containing pseudoephedrine and phenylephrine. These can make the baby unsettled. Pseudoephedrine has been known to decrease milk supply.

What can I take for a cold while breastfeeding?

You can use lozenges, pastilles and throat sprays (e.g. Strepsils®, Ultra-Chloraseptic throat spray®, Difflam®) when you are breastfeeding, to relieve your symptoms. There is very little data on whether these products affect breastfed infants, but they have been used extensively without reports of problems.

Will my baby catch my cold if I breastfeed?

With most common illnesses like a cold or flu, it is safe to continue breastfeeding your baby as long as you take proper hygiene precautions like handwashing. Continuing to breastfeed will help you to maintain your milk supply and will provide your baby with protection against the illness you are experiencing.

Why is Zyrtec not recommended for breastfeeding?

However, caution is advised for cetirizine use while breastfeeding due to the theoretical risk of CNS depression based on limited human data and risk of decreased milk production.