Cold Medicine While Breastfeeding

sudafed is not recommended while breastfeeding. It can decrease your milk supply and make the baby jittery. Saline nasal spray for the congestion and ibuprofen for sinus pressure.

I have nursed since day one, still do at 26 months. Here's what I have taken without problem while nursing

Benedryl
Sudafed-without ephedrine
NyQuil/DayQuil-Doctor said one or two doses was okay, but avoid these things because they will dry you up very quickly
Mucinex-best option, just not the D. I like their kids alcohol free cough syrup for that scratchy feeling in your throat. Also, honey cough is good.

There's some good homeopathic products by Boiron-okay to take while nursing. Check your local health food/natural food/Whole Foods.

Feel better!

Here is a good list of medications and their safety for pregnant moms or breastfeeding moms:
http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/aap-approved-meds.html

This is the listing for it:
Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Halofed, Novafed, Actifed)
is listed as
L3 (for acute use)
L4 (for chronic use)

L3 MODERATELY SAFE:
There are no controlled studies in breastfeeding women, however the risk of untoward effects to a breastfed infant is possible; or, controlled studies show only minimal non-threatening adverse effects. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the infant.
L4 POSSIBLY HAZARDOUS:
There is positive evidence of risk to a breastfed infant or to breastmilk production, but the benefits of use in breastfeeding mothers may be acceptable despite the risk to the infant (e.g. if the drug is needed in a life-threatening situation or for a serious disease for which safer drugs cannot be used or are ineffective).

And whatever you take, take a single medication (sudafed alone vs a combo drug) and as little as possible.

Caffeine (like a good cup of coffee) can also help a bad cold. As will a hot shower.

If you do take Sudafed, keep well hydrated.

You can take any of the cold and allergy meds that do no contain pseudophedrine. As reluctanttexan said, if you choose to take it, you will notice your baby is jittery and aggitated and may experience a decrease in milk production.

Almost anything is ok as long as it's not a repetitive dose. Your supply may or may not diminish slightly for 24 hours, but should go right back to normal.

The ones you CANNOT take due to child getting too much thru breastmilk are the following:
Primatene tablets
Rynatuss tablets
Tavist allergy & sinus

I always take tylenol's cold medicines. My midwife even said it was okay while I was pregnant, so I would assume okay while breastfeeding too.