Is it safe?

Question

Is it safe for me to take Tylenol Cold medicine if I'm a breastfeeding mother?

Atten: Chic
I didn't ask this question to have smart a$$ people like you write stupid $hit for answers...i take very good care of my daughter and FYI I did call the doctor and it everything is fine.
P.S. SCREW YOU

And another thing...I dont think anybody on here takes anything people says and lives by it...I just ask questions to get other mothers opinions.
GET A LIFE

Answer 1

I know for a fact regular Tylenol is safe, but I'd question the decongestent in the medicine. I went to Tylenol's website and it says if you're breastfeeding, contact your health professional first. It doesn't say to avoid it, so it's probably safe. If I were you, I'd call your pharmacist. While your ob/gyn would be helpful, the pharmacist studies drugs, not people, and they know most of them front and back and all the warnings, side effects, etc. :)

Answer 2

It depends on what is in it. Tylenol (acetaminophen) itself is one of the safest drugs during breastfeeding. It is approved for use in breastfeeding mothers by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and it is rated in the safest of 5 categories for nursing mothers.

Chlorpheniramine and pseudoephedrine are rated in the middle category of the 5. Pseudoephedrine has been approved by the AAP, but can cause a decrease in your milk supply (see below). Chlorpheniramine has not been reported to cause side effects. Watch baby for sedation. Dextromethorphan is considered to be in the safest category. So little of it is likely to get into your milk that it couldn't have an effect on the baby. Diphenhydramine is in the second-safest category, and could cause slight drowsiness in the baby (but only a small amount actually reaches your milk). All of this information is only a short summary of what Dr. Hale has to say, and I just picked some drugs that *may* be in the specific medication you are referring to.

Many (but not all) antihistamines and decongestants are also safe for a nursing baby. However, their purpose is to dry up bodily secretions. In some cases, they can dry up your milk supply. Unless you have had ongoing supply problems or your baby is under 2 months old, you can try it and stop if necessary. Your supply will increase again.

Again, there can be many other drugs in cold remedies. You need to check out *each* ingredient for safety before using it, preferably through Dr. Thomas Hale (the world's foremost expert on drugs and breastfeeding). I am including Dr. Hale's Web site (first URL below in the sources section). You will have to sign in as "guest" to use the site, but you don't have to give any personal information. Another option would be to call a local La Leche League Leader (again, with the specific list of ingredients) so that she can check it all for you. See second URL below.

Answer 3

It is different for everyone, if you're taking other medicines, or your baby has special needs, like he/she is a preemie, it might not be a good idea. You should never take medical advice over the Internet though, you need to call your doc. and if you need it now, call your local hospital and talk to a nurse. Or some pharmacies can help you on issues like that, and recommend maybe a lower dosage, or even a different kind of medicine that you can take if you can't have that kind.

Answer 4

Well, I'm not a doctor and really, you shouldn't be asking anyone on here! You should call the "dial a nurse service" or call your doctor (I'm sure you can ask the doc on call).

I think I remember having taken tylenol when I was breastfeeding but I'm not sure. You should call a doc.

Answer 5

Yes it is fine. I breastfed my daughter for 10 months and during that time I took Tylenol Cold. Just remember that it may reduce your milk supply a bit, so if you take it just remember to drink extra fluid throughout the day.

Answer 6

Yeah, I asked the doctor when I was, and he said it was perfectly fine...Just make sure you stay within the proper dosage amounts.

You people need to chill out! The poor lady is just asking a question...she doesn't need to be called a bad mother...at least she cares enough to ask!

Answer 7

If your doctor said it is okay, the one thing I would reccomend is taking the dose right after feeding the baby. I was told I could take my benadryl while nursing, but found that if I took it a while before feeding the baby she would fall asleep and not finish eating.

Answer 8

I know having a cold is uncomfortable but it's better not to take anything if your breastfeeding. Take a lot of Vitamin C, chicken soup and a lot of liquids

Answer 9

No. You shouldn't be taking anything while breastfeeding. You shouldn't even eat broccoli! Gives baby gas!! You made the decision to breastfeed, so now you have to stick with the consequences of that. Bland food, no meds, no drinking/smoking... etc...

Answer 10

Tylenol is excreted in breastmilk in small quantites, but the American Academy of Pediatrics has approved its use for breastfeeding mothers.

It is definitely safer than pseudo ephedrine, though.