if u are ill, how does it affect yr breastmilk??

[autumnlover]

I've got a stinking cold (sore throat, runny nose, cough and now achy body). have had it for the past few days and its not getting better.

does anyone know how this affects my breastmilk and what i can take for it??
also can i have a small measure of brandy & port tonight??

i feel like crap and really feeling sorry for myself...

any advice is much appreciated

[moondog]

it doesn't affect it.

have a large brandy and port.
will do you good.

[moondog]

also paracetomol fine

[autumnlover]

oh also how does it affect supply of breastmilk??

[VoodooMama]

have the brandy and port
I bf an occasionally have a few G&Ts - No worries.
Dont think a cold will affect the milk at all,
get as much rest as poss (hard, I know) and eat well.
Big hug!!

[moondog]

doesn't affect supply either

[Wallerbies]

Its best to carry on feed even though your not feeling well you can pass on good antibodies to your baby and help them fight illnesses in the future. But yes have the large brandy and port

[autumnlover]

i've got 3 kids!!! no rest unfortunately....

[autumnlover]

thank you ladies

Dh just made me the large port & brandy and its really smoothing (or rather burning) my throat. fortunately i'm not feeding ds until about midnight!! might be a bit tipsy though....

[yellowrose]

autum have some booze by all means, not a whole bottle and not at the same time as taking paracetemol/ibuprofen - both are safe when bf

to put your mind at rest, i had god knows how many flu episodes about 1 year ago, avoided flu this winter only because went and got a flu jab which has worked
flu jabs are safe too when bf, had absolutely no probs. with bm supply

i took various things for bad cough, chest infection, etc. look at the list on kellymom.com, you will see a list of meds. said to be safe by American Academy of Paedatrics (AAP)

it does not effect your milk supply, make sure you get plenty of energy with good diet and lots of fluids, and just continue bf

one of the best reasons for continuing is that your baby is less likley to catch whatever you have, you pass all your marvelous antibodies in your milk to the baby

sorry for anecdote, but despite my and dh's numerous bouts of cold/flu/coughs/chest infections since ds was born nearly 3 years ago, all he has ever got is a few minor colds, he didn't even have a single cold throughout the winter just gone, and i know it is because he is bf

[shonaspurtle]

You can have Lemsip if that helps at all.

The ingredient to avoid in cold meds is pseudoephedrine which is a decongestant. This can affect your supply.

Lemsip has phenylephrine as a decongestant which is fine.

The Breastfeeding Network site and Kellymom have good info on medicines for colds when breastfeeding.

Port & brandy definitely good though