Head cold medicine and breastfeeding

[Marley&Me]

Is there anything equivalent to cold and flu tablets I can take while breastfeeding? I feel like I have swallowed razorblades

[Artechim]

Best bet is for you or your DH to head for the pharmacy and talk to the pharmacist to find out what is suitable. There is probably some sort of lozenge that is alright to take that hopefully helps your throat. Panadol is alright to take and should help a bit. It really sucks being sick when you can't take any decent medications.

[Marley&Me]

I found some strepsils in the bathroom cupboard in the middle of the night last night. I didn't check if they were ok, I just needed relief! My friend said to take echinacea so I'll head down to the chemist when bub is up and ask them.

If it's tonsillitis can bub catch that???

[leckert]

Strepsils type recommended not to take the antibacterial ones.

I do have a sore throat gargle at home that I can use straight after a feed so it minimally transfers (beconase I think but not at home til later double check)

[AnyDream]

Panadol for pain/fever, and Manuka honey either on a teaspoon or sipped in hot water to soothe your throat (it really does make a difference). You could also try gargling with salt water - half a teaspoon of salt in a cup of warm water will soothe without being overly salty. For any measures over that, best to talk to the pharmacist for advice.

ETA it might depend on whether it is bacterial or viral re the contagiousness. Get religious about washing your hands often with soap & keep any sneezing or coughing fully covered with a single-use tissue!

[OceanPrincess]

Tarsha be careful with echinacea - for some reason I have in my head that they should be avoided while breastfeeding. Dose up on the vitamin C and rest up Sucks being sick while you're looking after a little one!

[Marley&Me]

Thanks ladies, the pharmacist said plain strepsils are fine and echinacea is fine too. So I got both! Marydean, i will try manuka honey too next time. I hope she doesnt catch anything

[luna moth]

If you're a bit snotty or phlegmy you can also try apple cider vinegar in water. I used it when 39 weeks preg, and couldn't believe how well it works. Better than anything over the counter.

[Frangipani Lou]

Yes, there are Chinese herbs that are safe to use when breast feeding to treat a cold etc. My TCM dr has a premade formula available if you're interested.

[leckert]

Strepsils type recommended not to take the antibacterial ones.

I do have a sore throat gargle at home that I can use straight after a feed so it minimally transfers (beconase I think but not at home til later double check)

Finally remembered to check - cepacaine is the name of the gargle that I have

[Marley&Me]

Hahahaha leckert, I was thinking it was Betadine. That stuff is gross.

I have been taking Echinacea, garlic, vitamin C and heaps of water. Worked a treat cos I'm all better now But dd caught it and I've had to use that Fess little noses stuff. She actually laughed out loud when I used the sucker thingie on her nose!