Decongestant and Milk Supply

Decongestants dehydrate you, and so do colds. You need to triple your fluid intake throughout the day and avoid anything with caffeine. I don't know if you are drinking coffee while nursing but even cola drinks and some "natural" teas have caffeine which causes dehydration. Definitely use a Neti pot (available at health food stores and some pharmacies) with warm salt water. It flushes out your nasal passages and sinuses - it's a little weird feeling but totally safe. You'll feel full at first but then blow your nose and a lot of "junk" will come out! If you use Reliv products, you can make an awesome anti-inflammation remedy of the hydrating sports drink Innergize and the joint-health Arthaffect product. Use warm water but not boiling, and drink up. Totally safe for nursing moms, kids, elderly, etc., and both have US patents so quality and purity are guaranteed. The Innergize is great for the plane - you can take the powder onto the plane and then add water when you are ready to drink it. Planes can be very drying because of the recirculated air, so definitely add more when you are traveling and right afterwards. My friend is a flight attendant and was always sick with sinus infections, but now she has nothing!!

Yes, decongestants can decrease milk supply. I use vicks vapo rub when I congested. I dab a little right on the base of my nose and that helps to open up the passage ways. (Though on the box it says not to put on mucous membranes, but it's right on the edge of my nose so I don't worry about it). The other thing you can try is using a nette pot a few times a day. Afrin puts out something called puremist I think which is sterile seawater and you only clean the one piece so it is easy to use and no mixing necessary.

Good luck and feel better soon :)

A decongestant will do what it's supposed to do... dry you out!! and that includes your milk supply. I'm nursing now too and when I was sick in June I took just one Sudafed at night on the worst two nights - other than that I just dealt with it. I wouldn't suggest taking too much. Try saline drops for your nose.

try taking a supplement fenugreek it is a natural supplement that increases your milk suppy? it really works my wife used it and the doctors approved it.
good luck
DeeDee

What kind of decongestant are you taking? A decongestant with psuedoephedrine is known to decrease milk supply.

I recommend trying some natural remedies for decreasing your congestion, or taking a medication without psuedoephedrine. Also, when you are ill, be sure to drink plenty of fluids so you won't dehydrate.

This is the reason decongestants are NOT recommended when breastfeeding. They ARE safe, but they decrease supply. As you can imagine, their job is to dry up fluids, and they don't differentiate. But don't worry, keep nursing and pumping and drinking lots of water, and your supply will come back.

Unfortunately, you may have to make a choice. Decongestant reduces the amount of milk for some. I had the same experience with my children. It is safe while you are nursing but it dries everything up, including reducing the amount of milk. I am suprised the nurse didn't explain that to you. When you are actually nursing, it may not be as much of an issue since babies are more efficient than the pump. Good luck!

They do decrease your milk supply so I probably would not take them. My lactation consultant said to never take Sudafed because it greatly diminishes your milk supply.

A decongestant will dry you up. I am surrprised the dnurse didn't tell you that. I took it when I was done nursing and trying to dry up my milk. I suggest drinking tons of water. That will help. Also you could try using a neti pot or sinu clease instead of the decongestant. It does work. I had a sinus infection when I was pregnant. So I got a neti pot and used it like every couple hours. The infection was gone three days later. They recommend for it for allergies as well. If you do try it. Don't give up after the first day. It will work it just takes a little longer then meds. And won't dry up your milk.