Breastfeedingor chestfeeding when you have acoldis generally safe and may help boost the baby’s immune system.
However, some allergy, cold, and flu medicines may not be safe to take while nursing.
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Can I Breastfeed While Sick?
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Yes, you might nurse your baby even if you’re sick.
Breastfeeding or chestfeeding while sick is still healthy for you and your baby.
Continuing to nurse is also a good reminder to keep yourself fully hydrated.
You need ample hydration to make breast milk, and it also helps relieve symptoms.
Supplementing with baby formula is also an option, and it’s absolutely safe.
If you are unable to breastfeed, your baby can receive the nutrients they need from formula.
Some medications can reduce your milk supply.
However, avoid taking more than one NSAID or more than one product containing acetaminophen at a time.
Excessive doses of NSAIDs can cause an upset stomach, while too much acetaminophen can harm your liver.
Antihistamines
Allergy medicines help reduce symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose.
Some cough medicines may contain alcohol, which should be avoided.
Decongestant nasal sprays are safer because they are delivered straight to the source of congestion.
They are not likely to enter the milk supply or hinder milk production.
Antibiotics are generally safe to take during breastfeeding or chestfeeding, but some are safer than others.
For example, metronidazole should not be taken while nursing.
Ofloxacin and gentamycin should be used with caution and only when no other options are available.
Antibiotics can pass to the baby in breast milk and cause diarrhea and oral thrush.
Some antibiotics, like penicillin, carry a risk of allergic reaction and should be used with caution.
Some can reduce your breast milk supply or affect your baby’s sleep or mood.
Others cause drowsiness, which may make it unsafe for you to nurse.
Benedryl
Benedryl is a brand name of diphenhydramine.
This drug may cause sleepiness, and prolonged use may decrease your milk supply.
Nursing babies can also become drowsy or irritable.
DayQuil
DayQuil contains phenylephrine, a decongestant, which can reduce your milk supply.
In addition, phenylephrine has not been studied on nursing infants, so its safety profile is unknown.
Sudafed
Sudafed is a brand name for pseudoephedrine.
Sudafed PE is a brand name for phenylephrine.
These decongestants can dry up your milk supply.
Pseudoephedrine can also cause irritability in babies.Phenylephrine has not been studied in infants and should be avoided.
Summary
Your options for cold medications are limited while breastfeeding or chestfeeding.
Ingredients that cause drowsiness can make it unsafe for you to hold your baby to nurse.
Avoid products that contain alcohol, diphenhydramine, doxylamine, codeine, or hydrocodone while nursing.
Avoid products sold under the brand names Benedryl, Sudafed, NyQuil, and DayQuil while lactating.
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