How to fight a cold while breastfeeding?

Navigating a Cold While Breastfeeding: Essential Tips for Nursing Mothers
Catching a cold can be a frustrating experience for anyone, but for breastfeeding mothers, it raises additional concerns about the health of both themselves and their babies. Fortunately, there are effective strategies to manage cold symptoms while continuing to provide the best nutrition for your little one.
Breastfeeding is Safe During a Cold
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that breastfeeding while sick is generally safe. Viruses like the common cold do not pass into breast milk, meaning that nursing mothers can continue to breastfeed without fear of transmitting the illness to their infants. In fact, breast milk contains antibodies that can help bolster a baby’s immune system, providing them with some protection against infections.
Prioritize Hygiene
While breastfeeding is safe, maintaining good hygiene is crucial. Simple practices such as frequent handwashing can significantly reduce the risk of spreading germs. It’s advisable to wash your hands before handling your baby or any feeding equipment. Additionally, using tissues when sneezing or coughing and disposing of them properly can help keep your environment clean.
Managing Symptoms with Safe Medications
When it comes to alleviating cold symptoms, many over-the-counter (OTC) medications are compatible with breastfeeding. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are commonly recommended for pain relief and fever reduction, as they are safe to use while nursing. However, it’s essential to avoid certain medications, such as those containing codeine or aspirin, which may pose risks to breastfeeding infants.
If you’re considering using cold medications, consult with a healthcare provider to ensure that the specific products you choose are safe for your situation. Staying hydrated is also vital; drinking plenty of fluids can help thin mucus and keep you comfortable.
Rest and Recovery
While it may be challenging to find time to rest with a newborn, prioritizing sleep and relaxation is crucial for recovery. Breastfeeding can actually provide a good excuse to take a break and rest while bonding with your baby. Creating a comfortable space for both you and your baby can make this easier.
Conclusion
In summary, fighting a cold while breastfeeding is manageable with the right approach. Continue to breastfeed, maintain good hygiene, use safe medications, and prioritize rest. By taking these steps, you can support your recovery while ensuring your baby remains healthy and nourished. Remember, your body is working hard to heal, and with a little care, you’ll be back to feeling your best in no time.

Does breast milk help fight colds?

Furthermore, your breast milk has antibodies that will protect the baby from many colds and the flu. These antibodies destroy bacteria in a baby’s gut before they have the chance to make them ill. A baby’s saliva will enter a mother’s breast and can signal milk to change its composition to help fight illness.

Do breastfed babies fight colds faster?

The first milk that that comes out of breasts after giving birth–known as colostrum–is especially rich in antibodies. As you continue to nurse, your baby will take in more antibodies, which helps them resist illness and infection now and in the future.

Will DayQuil dry up breast milk?

Other medications, like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine, can hinder milk production and cause irritability or other side effects in babies. Avoid products sold under the brand names Benedryl, Sudafed, NyQuil, and DayQuil while lactating.

Does breast milk break up mucus?

Try breast milk drops
Similarly to saline drops, breast milk can help break up mucus, and its antiviral properties may help treat the cold.

Will my cold affect my breastfed baby?

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.

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.

How can I help my baby with a cold while breastfeeding?

Here are a few ways you can ease your baby’s discomfort, both before and during nursing: Loosen mucus and reduce inflammation in your baby’s nasal passages with saline nose spray or drops. A humidifier is also a big help! Use a bulb syringe or NoseFrida to remove mucus (gently!) from your baby’s nose.

Can I take emergen C while breastfeeding?

Yes, you can take Emergen-C while breastfeeding, but it’s important to not exceed the recommended dosage. Emergen-C is a supplement rich in vitamin C, often used for boosting immune health. However, while vitamin C is crucial for both you and your baby, consuming it in large amounts can cause digestive upset.

What decongestant won’t dry up breast milk?

Safe decongestants for breastfeeding moms
Options like Robitussin, Delsym, Triaminic and Vicks DayQuil Cough are unlikely to affect your supply and have no reported infant side effects.

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.