Cold Medicine and Breastmilk

ASK A PHARMACIST at any pharmacy. This is their specialty.
It's really easy to overdose a baby on Tylenol, and it can be fatal.
Plus there are SEVERAL other drugs in Tylenol cold, even besides the Tylenol.

I just had the flu and the Dr. told me I could take any medicine that was on the list of safe medicines to take during pregnancy. Dig up that list the Dr. gave you when you were pregnant. I think Sudafed was the only cold medicine that was okay. My flu got so bad, that I ended up taking antibiotics and pumped and dumped for a few days (I had some frozen breastmilk saved up to get me through). Hope you feel better, soon.

You could go to the website for Tylenol and see if they have any warnings.
Here's my 2 cents: Cold medicines are placebos with side effects. So they don't take care of your cold, but they leave you with a host of side effects that can be more of a pain than your cold!
This is what I would do as a breastfeeding-tending-toward-natural-remedies mom: I would drink a shot of 1 Tablespoon Apple Cider Vinegar mixed with 1 Tablespoon water (holding your nose of course-LOL) and take Tylenol pain reliever. The pain reliever reduces aches and fever, so it works as well (better IMO) as the cold formula.
I'm sorry you are sick! No fun for a nursing mommy. I hope you feel better soon.

E.

You know I wouldn't. But wait to check with your doctor. And call the pediatrician. She/he will know as well what is safe for your daughter. I would drink lots of herbal teas with honey. Take hot showers. It gets rid of all that junk in your nose and throat. You can also drink hot water with lemon. That helps too. I just think when you are breastfeeding, you want to be careful.

Feel better. Hope this helps.

R.

Let's not take Tylenol, especially while you are nursing. I'm not sure what your symptoms are but I recommend standing in a hot, steamy shower or bath soaking in peppermint oil. That will help break free some of the sinus pressure. This seems to work for most of my patients that are nursing. If you need more ideas don't hesitate to call me, my name is Dr. T. ###-###-####

You also want to make sure you are doubling up on your WHOLE food prenatal s.....this is extremely important. Remember nursing during this time is GREAT for the baby, you're giving him or her great antibodies :)

I'm not sure about Tylenol Cold Medicine, but I did take Dayquil when I was nursing and my daughter's pediatrician said it was okay. Good luck and hope you feel better soon!
L.

It is my understanding that cold medicines that dry up sinuses have the effect of lowering or drying milk supply. I know you must be uncomfortable. Sinucleanse or products like it can be helpful. it's a little strange but essentially you flush your sinuses by using a saline going in one nostril and up through your sinuses and then out the other nostril. When I was pregnant I was sick for two months and this helped to make me feel a little more comfortable. I still use it because it feels good and it is perfectly safe. Hope you start feeling better soon.

According to Dr. Thomas Hale in "Medications and Mothers' Milk," Tylenol Cold is probably safe, but watch for signs of sedation in your baby, and possible suppression of your milk supply.