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Infant feeding

Can I take lemsip while breastfeeding?

6 replies

purpleflower · 15/04/2009 10:58

I have a cold and just wondered what I can take?

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ScorpiowithabigS · 15/04/2009 11:00

nothing with phenylephrine (sp?) in it, it dries mucus up, so is bad for BM.

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Reallytired · 15/04/2009 11:09

decongestants and breastfeeding

Virtually all medicines say they are unsuitable for breastfeeding because drug companies are prepared to test anything on breastfeeding mothers.

I suggest that you contact one of the main breastfeeding organistations to speak to a breastfeeding councellor. They will have detailed access to lists of medicines that are safe.

I suggest that in the meantime you get some oil of olbas, a bowl of boiling water and a towel and use steam to try and ease congestion. Paracentamol is safe for breastfeeding mothers as well.

I hope you feel better soon.

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bumpybecky · 15/04/2009 11:12

there are different types of lemsip, when I last checked the most basic one just had paracetamol and vitamin c (possibly caffeine too) and is fine if breastfeeding. The stronger max power / flue strength ones have decongestant in and should avoided when feeding.

However I've taken the stronger one when feeding a toddler who also had the same stinking cold. I figured it wouldn't affect supply that much given he was 4 months old. I'm not a medical person though, so feel free to ignore

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bumpybecky · 15/04/2009 11:13

he was 14 months not 4!

hope you feel better soon

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purpleflower · 15/04/2009 11:15

Thank you for that link.

Many meds have been reformulated so they no longer contain pseudoephedrine -- they're using phenylephrine instead. Per Hale, "Because of pseudoephedrine's effect on milk production, many have concerns that phenylephrine may suppress milk production as well. There is no evidence that this occurs at all."

I'm guessing after reading the above that it should be ok. I'm not planning to take loads, just one now and maybe one before bed to feel a little better.

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purpleflower · 15/04/2009 11:17

The one I have is the lemsip cold and flu so it is the stronger one. I will have this and then find the other one at tesco later. DD is almost 28weeks so I should think my milk supply should be ok now.