breastfeeding and cold medicine?

Question

I am breastfeeding my 7 month old daughter and I have a hellious cold. Runny, stuffy, nose, sneezing, coughing, sinus pressure so bad that my teeth hurt.

I know that I can't take Sudifed (Decongestants) and stuff like that because it dries up mucous membranes. I also know that I can't take Nyquil and things of that nature. But is their anything that I can take? Regular tyenol isn't touching the pressure headache or the other multiple symptoms. Please help I am really uncomfortable and tired and don't want to harm my milk production or my daughter.

Thank you in advance.



****P.S **** IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING SMART TO SAY KEEP IT TO YOURSELF. IT IS 7 AM AND THE DR WON'T PRESCRIBE ANYTHING FOR A COLD. HENCE IT IS A VIRUS AND NOT A BACTERIA.

Answer 1

I suggest to do what you'd do if your little one had a cold.
- keep your fluids up
- use a vaporiser or steamer to clear your sinuses (Run the shower on just hot with all the doors and windows closed, then go in there if you don't have a vaporiser)
- saline drops for your nose will also help clear it out (i got some for my baby from our local childrens' hospital)
- chicken soup is an oldie but a goodie. There are enzymes in the chicken (in the bones if i remember correctly) which help your immune system.
- take vitamin C which is also good for your immune system.
- aspirin is better for pressure headaches than tylenol, as it is a Non-Steriodal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID) so it not only is good for pain relief, but to reduce some of the sweeling associated with the pressure.
- Some acupuncturists and naturopaths should be able to help out with your sinuses. I find pushing on my cheekbones right in by my nose helps give some temporary relief while i'm waiting for the medication to work.

And most of all, don't worry about getting housework etc done. You have to look after yourself and get better first. That stuff can wait. Get well soon and let us know how you go.

Answer 2

Try relieving the pressure and congestion by steaming your face, under a towel and over a pot of hot water. You can add a little vapor rub to the water, that'd help. A cup of tea with a good dose of honey, might help alleviate the cough a bit. Try some canned chicken broth, warmed. After you've breastfed your daughter, you could take a couple shots of rye or add it to the chicken broth. That'll help you rest and will be out of your system by the time she's ready to be fed again.

Answer 3

I breast fed my daughter for 15 months.

The only thing I can suggest is using a Playtex nursing bottle with the orthodontic nipple. Carnation Good Starts has a soy milk powder formula when mixed with water and a tiny bit Karo syrup (clear corn syrup) together, the flavor mimics breast milk very well. To keep your milk production going I would suggest pumping a few ounces on your normal schedule until your cold has run its course and you have finished using your medication. Check out these links below. I hope you feel better and also in the future try pumping a few bottles and storing them in the freezer in case of emergency

Answer 4

Use a breast pump and pump out a good supply of milk for your daughter to last for a couple days and then take whatever medication you think will do the job. This way your treating your cold and your daughter wont be affected.

Answer 5

The link below will be really helpful to you in figuring out how to treat your cold.