What cold and flu medicine is safe while breastfeeding?

Understanding Cold and Flu Medicine Safety While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers often face the dilemma of managing cold and flu symptoms while ensuring the safety of their infants. Fortunately, there are several medications that are considered safe for nursing mothers, allowing them to find relief without compromising their baby’s health.
Safe Medications for Breastfeeding Mothers
1. Pain Relievers: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Motrin) and acetaminophen (Tylenol) are generally safe for breastfeeding mothers. Ibuprofen is particularly favored because it is processed quickly by the body and does not linger in breast milk for long periods, minimizing any potential exposure to the infant.
2. Antihistamines: Nonsedating antihistamines, like loratadine (Claritin) and cetirizine (Zyrtec), are also considered safe. These medications can help alleviate allergy symptoms without significantly affecting milk supply or causing sedation in the nursing infant.
3. Nasal Sprays: Medications such as oxymetazoline and fluticasone nasal sprays are likely safe during breastfeeding. These sprays work locally and have minimal systemic absorption, which reduces the risk of affecting breast milk.
4. Cough Medications: Guaifenesin, an expectorant, is generally regarded as safe for breastfeeding mothers, although its effectiveness can be variable.
5. Antiviral Medications: For mothers diagnosed with the flu, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends antiviral medications like oseltamivir (Tamiflu). This medication is considered safe for breastfeeding and can help reduce the duration and severity of flu symptoms.
Medications to Avoid
While many medications are safe, some should be avoided during breastfeeding. Aspirin, particularly in higher doses, can accumulate in the infant’s system and pose risks such as bleeding. Additionally, products containing alcohol, as well as common cold medications like NyQuil, Benadryl, and Sudafed, are generally not recommended due to their potential adverse effects on both milk supply and infant health.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding mothers need not suffer in silence when faced with cold and flu symptoms. By choosing safe medications such as ibuprofen, nonsedating antihistamines, and certain nasal sprays, they can effectively manage their symptoms while ensuring the well-being of their infants. However, it is always advisable for nursing mothers to consult with healthcare providers before starting any new medication to ensure it aligns with their specific health needs and circumstances.

Does Zyrtec dry up breast milk?

Remember, there are also many medications that can reduce your milk supply. For example, antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc, or decongestants like Sudafed, can decrease your milk supply.

What can I take if I have the flu and I’m breastfeeding?

For women who are breastfeeding with suspected or confirmed flu, the preferred antiviral medication is oral oseltamivir.

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.

Can I take Mucinex while breastfeeding?

The expectorant guaifenesin and the cough suppressant dextromethorphan are often found together in products like Mucinex DM or Robitussin DM. Both of these medications have been used while breastfeeding. Small, occasional doses of antihistamines are acceptable while nursing.

Can I take mucinex cold and flu while breastfeeding?

What cold medicines are safe while breastfeeding? Most cold medicines are safe while breastfeeding, especially if you take them short term and only when you need them. Some of the medications that are safe include: Expectorants that contain guaifenesin (Mucinex®, Robitussin® and others).

Can a breastfeeding mom take Tylenol Cold and Flu?

Many medicines are safe to use when you breastfeed. These include: Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin). Some cold and influenza (flu) medicines.

How to get rid of a cold while breastfeeding?

Try the following to help the discomfort of a cold or a sore throat when breastfeeding:

1. Take honey and lemon mixed in hot water, or sip on other warm fluids like natural teas to keep your throat moist.
2. Gargle some salt water.
3. If you have a cough, try a cough medicine that is based on glycerine and honey.

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.

What cold and flu medicine can I take while nursing?

Two main OTC cough medications are considered safe to take when breastfeeding: dextromethorphan (Delsym) and guaifenesin (Mucinex, Robitussin). Dextromethorphan helps calm a cough. The amount found in breast milk after taking it is very low, so it should be safe for your baby. Guaifenesin is an expectorant.

Can I take mucinex or DayQuil while breastfeeding?

If you have Mucinex, Robitussin, Tussin or Vicks DayQuil on hand, know that there’s no breastfeeding-specific research on the active ingredient Guaifenesin, but it’s unlikely to pose any harm to infants, especially those over 2 months.