Can you take cold & flu tablets when breastfeeding?

[DoulaRelle]

Ok, I have come down with a headcold and unlike when I have been sick all through my pregnancy, I am wondering can I take cold and flu tablets while breastfeeding?

[Tobily]

I don't think so - I never have...many of them contain pseudoephedrine which will go through your milk and probably have your bub wide awake all night - not a desirable outcome LOL.

Brauer's make Head Cold tablets now that are homeopathic and safe for breastfeeding mums - I used those recently for a headcold and they worked really well. Gotta keep the dose up though.

I hope you feel better soon.

[DoulaRelle]

Thanks so much for that Flea.

I was just checking the box and it does say that "active ingredient is Phenylephrine Hydrochloride which replaces Pseudoephedrine Hydrochloride"

I am just really needing to take something for tonight and can't get to the chemist till tomorrow, but don't need an overly active bub either! hahaha

[Mimi's Mum]

Hi Relle,
Hi i was sick a couple of months ago and asked my doc if i could take sudafed or cold and flu tablets, he said no as it they are for clearing up my sinuses and therefore may dry up my milk supply as well.
sorry i have no other ideas though, just thought you might like to know
good luck

[Lucy]

Relle, you poor love. As far as I am aware, there is bugger all that you can take apart from panadol and LOTS of fluid.

And Octravin nasal spray is OK whilst BF'ing to clear the snot. (I had a few stonkers whilst BF Charlie, so I empathise....)

[Ambah]

Relle I am trying to have a look on MIMs to see what is says, but because its a fairly new drug, there is not much info out there - they are not giving me full prescription info, so I really don't know about taking it whilst BF. Its in category B2 for pg though...

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

No good, having a headcold! Hope you are tucked up in bed now. As some-one pointed out, the medication may have a drying effect on your milk. Not desirable if you are concerned about your milk supply. But maybe not so much of a concern if you have a plentiful supply. You probably need to do your own little risk/benefit analysis. The medication itself is regarded as safe for mothers to take whilst breastfeeding - no effects on the baby noted.
Warm regards
Barb

[DoulaRelle]

Thanks so much for your replies girls.

Well I decided to take the night tablets after feeding Angus at 9pm and he fed again at 5am this morning. I am not going to take anymore now, I just really needed a good rest as I am on call for a birth and hadn't slept the night before.

I am feeling alot more rested, so won't take anymore now as I don't want to effect my milk supply so hopefully the one off won't be too bad.

[BellyBelly]

You can actually have nurofen. It's on the packet.

It's been my lifesaver.

[Matryoshka]

Relle, the Brauer range has been a life saver for me, i've tried the "head cold" and "sore throat" sprays and they do actually help. I also took panadiene when i was ill with the flu under dr's direction. Hope you feel better soon!