Question:
Been exclusively breastfeeding my 4.5 mo old (and don't want to stop or
use formula). Did internet research on "safer" OTC and/or RX for
cough/cold etc. but called both my doc & the ped this AM before I take
anything just to be sure. Docs say that they can't recommend anything
for me since I'm nursing. What? No OTC? No RX? Not even half
dosages? I can't take anything? Nope. Granted, I can do steam, saline
spray, orange juice, tea, chicken soup, etc. - but in the past, if I
don't take at least 2-3 Benadryl tablets, I get worse & end up with a
sinus infection (and end up on a 10-day course of antibiotics + strong
decongestants).
This seems odd to me. Has anyone else received a strict "no
medication" rule from the doctor during nursing for
colds/coughs/allergies?
Answer:
Nope. I never even called my doc when I took Benadryl. Just be aware that it
might bounce your supply around a bit. What I have been told is that anything that will dry out the snot
(Benedryl, Sudafed, etc.) will dry out the milk, too. Whether or not
it will *completely* dry out the milk is another question, but since I
had supply problems in the beginning, and have been nervous about my
supply ever after, I have avoided Benedryl and Sudafed and everything
else since I've been nursing. Misery loves company, so I'll share that I have the same thing, and I,
too, normally get it quarterly, every time the weather changes. I've
tried everything under the sun, and have pretty much decided that it's
2 weeks if you treat it, and 14 days if you don't, so there you go.
Some medications (pre-baby) like Dayquil and Nyquil actually make me
feel worse. I loved Benedryl. I miss it. I also miss Sudafed. And
Mucinex. *sigh*
Insult to injury - I'm also pregnant, so on the off chance that
something (Robitussin? Maybe, I don't know, haven't looked...)
wouldn't affect the nursing, it would probably affect the baby, so I'm
hosed. I'm taking Tylenol. I'm pretty sure that Tylenol is considered
safe for pregnancy and nursing because it doesn't actually do anything
at all. I'm drinking lots of hot tea (decaf - caffeine makes my baby
insane, and can screw up supply, too), lots of chicken soup, lots of
other soup (roasted red pepper and tomato with parmesan and a grilled
cheese sandwich almost makes me feel like a real person again!), lots
of OJ, lots of water, lots of rest, lots of nose blowing. I've used
the baby's Infant Vicks, being careful to only put it on my throat, not
my chest, but it didn't really do much for me.
Some doctors are a) ignorant about breastfeeding and b) paranoid. I'd
recommend a steroid nasal spray.
