Cold Medicines While Nursing

When you’re breastfeeding a baby, it’s important to find the best medication for your symptoms. There are many medications that are considered safe for nursing mothers but there are some that should be avoided. If you have a cold, there are certain medications you should be aware of so that you don’t inadvertently harm your child or yourself while they’re nursing. Also, keep in mind that breastfeeding is not just about providing food and nutrients to your baby; breastfeeding also provides many health benefits for both mother and child.

Do not take cold medications that contain decongestants

Cold medications that contain decongestants are not recommended for nursing mothers because they can be passed through breastmilk and may affect your baby’s breathing.

• Avoid medications that contain pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylephrine or oxymetazoline. These medications can cause your milk supply to dry up while you’re taking them and even after you stop taking them. They have also been known to cause irritability in babies due to the fact that they can make it difficult for them to breathe properly by constricting their airways.

The following medications are considered safe to take while nursing:

The following medications are considered safe to take while nursing:

• Acetaminophen. While acetaminophen is considered safe for both mothers and infants, it should not be taken by nursing mothers who have liver or kidney problems.
• Ibuprofen. It’s also okay for you to take ibuprofen if you’re breastfeeding, with the caveat that your doctor may prescribe something else for pain management if necessary.
• Antihistamines. These are considered safe if used in moderation (according to the directions on the bottle). Over-the-counter versions may be best since they’re less likely to cause drowsiness than prescription antihistamines like Benadryl® (diphenhydramine), which can interfere with milk production and make babies sleepy—although they might still need some supplemental sleep when taking this medication.[1] If you want something stronger than over-the-counter antihistamines but don’t want to rely on addictive sedatives like ZzzQuil®, then talk with your doctor about alternatives under different brand names such as Unisom® PM® or Nytol® PM®, which both contain doxylamine succinate (an antihistamine).[2] The main difference between these brands is that Unisom has a higher dosage of doxylamine succinate than Nytol does; otherwise there isn’t much difference between them except price point ($5-$10 per box).[3] You’ll probably get better results from prescription sleeping pills because they have much lower dosages than either of these over-the -counter options,[4] but it all depends what works best for each individual person so try out several different kinds before settling down too comfortably into any one routine! Another option would be taking melatonin supplements instead because these aren’t regulated by

What are the symptoms of a cold vs. the flu?

The first thing to know is that a cold is caused by a virus, while the flu is caused by a virus. While this may seem obvious, it’s important to realize that the two are quite different. Colds are generally not serious and can be treated with over-the-counter medications. The flu, on the other hand, can lead to complications such as pneumonia if left untreated. If you think you have the flu rather than simply a bad cold (or even worse—both), see your doctor immediately for treatment options and more information about how to prevent illness from spreading throughout your body systemically or locally in your lungs as well as what symptoms are associated with each type of illness (such as fever).

The second difference between these two illnesses lies in their contagiousness: while colds can spread through contact with infected people via saliva or mucus spray into the air when they cough or sneeze near someone else who breathes them in (or touches something contaminated with those fluids), flus do not spread easily through casual contact like this because they require direct contact between sick people who have been exposed directly through bodily fluids such as vomit or feces containing viruses; thusly making them much less likely candidates for widespread infection compared against their viral counterparts which are transmitted more readily through close proximity contact via respiratory secretions like coughing/sneezing/farting etcetera…

Finally…

In addition…

What should I do if my child has a cold?

If your child has a cold, there are several things you can do to help them.

• Keep your child hydrated by offering them plenty of water and juice throughout the day.
• Give them a humidifier to help ease their congestion.
• Stay away from people who are sick, or keep your distance if you’re sick yourself; this will keep everyone safe and healthy!
• Make sure to wash hands often with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom or changing diapers—this can help prevent spreading germs like the common cold.
• Feed your child healthy foods like fruits and vegetables (these have vitamins that strengthen immune systems) instead of junk food that might make it harder for their body to fight off infections.[3]

For many breastfeeding mothers, the problem is not keeping themselves healthy but what medications to use.

It’s really important to consider the risks of taking a medication while breastfeeding. Ask your healthcare provider if the drug is safe to take while you’re breastfeeding and whether there are alternatives that would be better for you and your baby. If you’re not sure, don’t take it; if it’s a low-risk medication, talk with your doctor about how much time passes between when you stop taking the drug and when your milk should come in (called “milk ejection” or “letdown”).

If you decide to continue taking the medication despite its risks, pump and dump milk for at least four hours before feeding your baby so that there is no milk in the breast when he drinks from it. This will prevent any harmful effects from entering his system through his mouth and GI tract. Pumping after feedings can also help ensure that he gets enough milk—even if this means pumping several times during one feeding session.

The best way to keep your baby safe is to consult your doctor before taking any medication. While many over-the-counter medications are safe for both mother and child when used as directed, others can have harmful side effects in breastfeeding women, including drowsiness or difficulty sleeping. If you have questions about the safety of a particular medication while nursing, speak with your healthcare provider.