Full Answer
What cough medications to use during breastfeeding?
Pain relievers
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
- Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
- Naproxen (Naprosyn) — short-term use only
What not to say to a breastfeeding mom?
- Isn’t your kid too old to breastfeed? ...
- I think that once a baby can ask for it, it’s time to stop. ...
- Gosh, he’s going to be so spoiled. ...
- You’re not one of those moms, are you? ...
- What does your husband think about that? ...
- I thought once they got teeth, you were supposed to stop. ...
- OMG have you seen Game of Thrones? ...
Is it safe for a breastfeeding mom to take Tylenol?
Tylenol is safe for breastfeeding parents to take while nursing a baby. “It is under the lowest risk category and is the safest,” says Cristina Gordon, a certified lactation consultant and counselor.
Which OTC allergy medication is safe for a breast-feeding mom?
Of the preparations available for treatment of allergic symptoms, corticosteroid nasal sprays (e.g., Flonase, Nasacort, etc.) and cromolyn sodium nasal spray (a mast cell stabilizer, e.g., Nasalcrom) are considered to be, by far, some of the most effective and safest to use in breastfeeding moms.
What is phenylephrine L3?
Phenylephrine (L3): Decongestant. Phenylephrine is a decongestant that is commonly added to cold mixtures and nasal sprays for use in colds, flu, and congestion. Levels in milk have not been reported, but experiments have shown that it has poor oral absorption in infants. An excellent alternative would be a nasal decongestant like oxymetazoline (Afrin-L3 discussed below). Common trade names: Neofrin, Neosynephrine, Vicks Sinex Nasal.
What is the mommymeds app?
The MommyMeds app provides up-to-date knowledge on various medications for the safe use of breastfeeding mothers. Our diverse team of specialists have come together to develop an easy to use resource accessible to mothers regarding drug related lactation risk. Support our research on breastfeeding medication by downloading the app today.
What is the safest antitussive?
Dextromethorphan (L3): This is an antitussive drug that appears to work by elevating the cough threshold in the brain. It is the safest of the antitussives and unlikely to transfer into milk. Watch breastfed infants for drowsiness or poor feeding. Common trade names: DM, Benylin, Delsym, Robitussin DM.
What is L5 hazardous?
L5 Hazardous: Significant and documented risk to the infant.
Is diphenhydramine an antihistamine?
Diphenhydramine (L2): Antihistamine. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that is often used in cough, cold, sinus, and allergy formulations. It is used to dry up secretions. Sedation is an unwanted side effect when using it as an allergy medication, but can be an advantage to help with sleep. If you are taking a sedating medication, be sure to have support in caring for your infant. There is some anecdotal evidence that diphenhydramine can suppress milk production, but this pattern is not supported by the medical literature. Common trade names: Benadryl, Tylenol PM.
Can you take codeine while breastfeeding?
Codeine can cause respiratory depression when taken in high doses. While there have been scattered cases of respiratory depression in breastfeeding infants, it is likely safe to consume in moderate amounts (<150 mg per day) while breastfeeding. In general, if the mother is lethargic she should wait to breastfeed until she is alert, at which point codeine levels would be lower. Common trade names of combination products: Cheratussin AC, Tuzistra XR, Robitussin AC, Vanacof, Tylenol #3, Tylenol #4
Is naproxen L3 safe for infants?
Naproxen (L3): Naproxen is less well studied than the other drugs in the same class. It is secreted into the breastmilk, but apparently not in quantities that would harm an infant. However, naproxen takes longer to be eliminated from the body than the other NSAIDs and has a greater potential to damage an infant’s cardiovascular system, kidneys, and gastrointestinal tract in the event of an overdose. Short-term use (<2 weeks) of naproxen postpartum, or infrequent or occasional use should be compatible with breastfeeding. Do not exceed 1 gram/day. Common trade names: Naprox, Naprosyn, Aleve.
What decongestants reduce prolactin levels in breastfeeding mothers?
Sympathomimeticamines e.g. pseudoephedrine, phenylpropanolamine, phenylephrine. There is some new evidence that these decongestants may dramatically reduce prolactin levels in breastfeeding mothers and therefore reduce breastmilk supply, particularly in established breastfeeding of an older baby. Until more is known about this it may be best avoided.
How old can a baby be to take ibuprofen?
Paracetamol can be given to babies older than 3 months (or 2 months after vaccinations). Ibuprofen can be given to babies older than 3 months.
What is nasal decongestant spray?
Nasal decongestant sprays or drops will act directly on the nasal passages to relieve congestion and reduce absorption into the mother’s body. These may prove to be a safer alternative to decongestant tablets.
Can you take paracetamol and breastmilk at the same time?
If the child is receiving paracetamol suspension to relieve cold symptoms, the additional passage of the drug through the mother’s breastmilk is unlikely to be clinically significant so both can take paracetamol at the same time in normal doses.
How to keep a child moist?
Keep the atmosphere around the child moist by using vapourisers, steam generators or a damp towel over a radiator.
Why do babies need to feed?
Babies may want to feed frequently both for extra fluid and for comfort when they have cold symptoms.
Can pastilles be used in breast milk?
Lozenges and pastilles will not produce sufficient absorption of ingredients to pass into breastmilk and can be used by breastfeeding mothers to relieve their symptoms.
How to make your head clear?
All you need to do is boil water in a pot, remove the pot from the stove, and add in few drops of essential oil and (if you want) lemon or lavender for smells purposes. Next, you would need to cover your head with a bath towel and breathe deeply and softly for 4-5 minutes. Repeat this method several times in a day in order to keep the chest and head clear and even massages the sinus areas.
How to help kids with stress?
You can take a hot steamy bath or shower in order to relax the muscles. Try meditation in order to develop better stress handling skills. Taking deeper breaths and visualizing enables your body to become much healthy and stronger.
Can you mix a nasal steroid with a breastfeeding gel?
Generally, these gels are known to mix well and considered safe when breastfeeding. Compared to all the nasal medications (to treat allergy symptoms) found in the market, ‘Nasal steroids’ such as Flonase are known to work wonders when breastfeeding.
Is it safe to use cough drops?
1. Using sore throat lozenges (for example Chloraseptic) can be typically considered to be safe just like cough drops but as mentioned above, do tend to avoid drops which have a large content of methanol since it reduces milk supply.
Can you take prenatal vitamins while breastfeeding?
These are not complementary options but are helpful in supporting the overall health treatment. You can take prenatal vitamins when you start breastfeeding in order to nourish the body. Consuming vitamin C from foods, juices and supplements is completely fine. Even so, garlic is known to be beneficial for the immune system and can be taken in supplement or raw form. Even Echinacea is well known to be risk-free for breastfeeding mothers.
What drugs should be avoided in a patient with irritability?
Social drugs like nicotine and ethanol should be avoided as these can cause irritability and restlessness. Medicines like Sulphasalazine should be avoided. Drugs like tetracyclines should be avoided where feasible due to the possible dangers of dental staining and negative effects on bone development.
Can you take cold medicine while breastfeeding?
Yes, some safe cold medicines to take while breastfeeding include: cough & sore throat medicines. fever, inflammation and pain medicines during cold or flu. pain meds for cold. an antibiotic for cold — amoxicillin. antihistamines.
Is it safe to take phenylephrine while nursing?
Many drugs/medicines are unsafe to be taken while nursing. Some of them have been discussed below: Cold and flu medications containing phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine are not recommended. Pseudoephedrine can lower the amount of breastmilk a woman’s body can make.
Can Cimetidine be used in nursing?
Acid-suppressants like Cimetidine have some side effects in babies. So, these should be avoided during nursing. Updated on March 6, 2020. Kate Shkodzik, MD — Obstetrician/Gynecologist, Medical Advisor at Flo.
Can you take cytotoxic drugs while breastfeeding?
Potent medicines or medications that travel into breast milk in large amounts should be avoided during breastfeeding. These medications contain cytotoxic agents which are used for cancer treatment — as those used in chemotherapy and can act as immunosuppressants causing suppression of the immune system in babies.
Can you use cough and cold during breastfeeding?
Use of cough and cold preparations during breastfeeding. Adverse reactions in infants from maternal drug ingestion depend largely on the amount of milk consumed by the infant, timing of breastfeeding in relation to dosing, dose of the medication, dosing interval, and duration of therapy.
Can you use antihistamines while breastfeeding?
Overall, there are few data from human studies on the use of antihistamines, decongestants, and cough products during breastfeeding. Studies of pseudoephedrine, triprolidine, and loratadine in humans conclude that low levels of each drug would reach a breastfed infant.
Can breastfeeding mothers take ibuprofen?
It is preferable for nur sing mothers to only take medications that are necessary and to avoid such combination products. The AAP considers alcohol, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and caffeine compatible with breastfeeding.
Does cough and cold contain alcohol?
It is important to note that many of the liquid cough and cold products contain alcohol. In addition, many of the combination products are a mixture of an antihistamine and a decongestant and may also contain aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or caffeine.
Can I Breastfeed While Sick?
Yes, you can breastfeed even if you're sick. Breastfeeding while sick is still healthy for you and your baby. Continuing to breastfeed is also a good reminder to keep yourself fully hydrated. You need ample hydration to make breast milk, and it also helps relieve symptoms.
Cold and Allergy Medicine Safe for Breastfeeding
The following medicines are considered safe for nursing parents, but it's always a good idea to check with a healthcare provider or pediatrician before taking any new medications. Some medications can reduce your milk supply. 3
Medications to Avoid
The following are not recommended for nursing parents. Always check with a healthcare provider before taking any new medications, because some medications can reduce your breast milk supply or affect your baby's sleep. 3
Alternative Cold Medicines and Remedies
In addition to common over-the-counter (OTC) medications, some alternative remedies can help treat symptoms of common illnesses (like colds), such as:
Summary
There are a number of OTC and prescription medications available to treat colds and the flu. Some, in small doses and for a short period of time, may be safe, while others can have side effects for both the breastfeeding parent and the baby. The best way to know if a medication is safe for use is to check with a healthcare provider.
A Word From Verywell
Breastfeeding your baby can be a very rewarding and bonding experience, but having a cold or the flu can impact your routine. The best way to get better is to stay calm, rest, and hydrate often.
Is it safe to take over-the-counter medicines while I am breastfeeding my baby?
The answer is usually "yes." To provide some simple background information about this topic, briefly, here are some known facts about medicine and breast milk:
Are there any additional safety measures to consider while breastfeeding?
Even though most medicines are safe to take during breastfeeding, some additional safeguards to lower any potential risk even further include:
Can I safely drink alcohol while breastfeeding?
Occasional or light drinking—such as a glass of wine or a beer—has not been found to be harmful to a breastfeeding baby. Erring on the conservative side, wait at least two hours for every drink you consume before nursing your baby. Or alternatively, use expressed milk to feed your baby after consuming alcohol.
How do you know if you have breast milk?
The answer is usually "yes." To provide some simple background information about this topic, briefly, here are some known facts about medicine and breast milk: 1 Nearly all medicines taken by a mother pass into human milk, BUT only in very small amounts--usually less than one percent of the dosage taken by the mother. 2 Because only a very small amount even passes into milk, there are very few drugs that SHOULDN’T be taken by a nursing mother. 3 IN MOST CASES, nursing mothers do not need to interrupt breastfeeding to take prescription or over-the-counter medicines. In the rare situation when you should not take a drug, you may try an alternative drug, a non-drug, or a procedure.
What to do if you have a cough?
For example, if you only have a cough, use a single-ingredient cough suppressant rather than a cough suppressant combined with a decon gestant. Watch for signs of a possible drug reaction in your baby such as sleepiness, rashes, diarrhea, or colic.
What medications require temporary weaning?
Some of the medicines that require temporary weaning are those that contain radioactive compounds and drugs used to treat cancer. Most of the drugs that raise any concern at all are prescription drugs, not over the-counter medicines.
How much of a medicine does a mother take into milk?
Nearly all medicines taken by a mother pass into human milk, BUT only in very small amounts--usually less than one percent of the dosage taken by the mother.
