Avoiding Milk for Cough in Babies

I wouldn't stop breastfeeding, but there is some credibility to avoiding the milk. MIlk can actually thicken the plegm, unless he is otherwise well hydrated. Water will help thin it out a little, though, so I would continue the breastfeeding, and give hime water (or heavily diluted clear juices - think apple or white grape) to drink other times.

Also, we have had some luck with using the freezer to stop those bad coughing fits. Inflammation makes it harder to breathe, so just hold him in front of the open freezer, and let him take deep breaths of the cold air. It'll help calm the coughing fits, not long, but hopefully long enough to fall back to sleep. Steam will help calm a coughing fit, too, but the safest way is to steam the whole room (don't hold him directly in front of a tea kettle or warm mist humidifier!); it takes a lot longer to steam up the bathroom, than it does to just open the freezer door.

The baby has to eat and breastmilk is food. Call the pediatrician and ask about it to be sure. The lactic acid in milk thickens phlegm so it becomes harder to cough it up.

The simple way around this is to have the doc put the baby on Xophenx and use a nebulizer as prescribed. We have a portable one that we take everywhere we go. Our little guy get Bronchiolitis and has to use the nebulizer to help him cough up the mucus.

Also, hot steamy showers, standing and holding him in the steam, will help loosed the goo.

So... did your baby actually see a Doctor?
Has he even been diagnosed???

If not, then all of this is just guessing.

Orange juice, while sick, exacerbates mucus, too. For example.

When my kids were sick, I never avoided milk or in giving it to them, or breastfeeding. They were fine.

I would think, that your baby needs to see the Doctor, and be diagnosed.
Because you don't know what he has.
And just talking to a Nurse Advisor, is not a 'diagnosis.'

He's been coughing for 2 weeks.
take him to the Doctor.

Mucus and 'coughing' can be due to:
1) sinus problems and/or post-nasal drip down the throat. It causes a cough reflex.
2) a chest illness.

Chest illnesses, are not to be taken lightly.
Nor if there is a sinus issue.

You need to have baby, diagnosed.
As you said, it has gotten "worse over the weekend."

Chest/mucus/coughing problems can be due to MANY things and illnesses.

We've had success with using a couple of teaspoons of honey when our son has a cough. It works really well at night for us. I read the advice on the Mayo Clinic web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/honey/AN01799

If he needs to avoid milk, you have to stop eating or drinking anything with dairy. The dairy proteins will still pass through breastmilk. Breastmilk is wonderful, but if something is being passed that he can't handle...it has to be avoided by you.

P.S.
I just wanted to add: My whole family has dairy issues. The doctors have ALWAYS specifically said to stop eating dairy while breastfeeding. The dairy, DOES reach the baby. Really, call your Dr. and ask. None of us are professionals, but like I said...I've always been told this.

Amanda is right. The milk thickens the phlegm making coughs actually worse. Absolutely, breastmilk, water, diluted mint tea with honey are all great. You do not have to stop eating dairy products!