Will be working away from baby for 36 hrs, can I take sore throat meds if I 'pump & dump'

[RnB]

Will be leaving my 9 month old tonight at 6, the next time I will be breastfeeding her will be 6am Friday :(

I'm an actor and have suddenly come down with a flipping horrendous sore throat, my throat is my real achilles heel, and it's so sore to speak or even swallow. Am also very susceptible to losing my voice, which is obviously not ideal.

So was wondering if I would be able to take any of those numbing throat lozenges with me and pour away the milk I pump during the day? Perhaps taking the last one at 6 pm tomorrow?

Please dont suggest honey lemon and Ginger as I'll already be drinking gallons of the stuff :)

I doubt you need to pump and dump due to throat lozenges!

Are they contra-indicated for breastfeeding?

If you're not going to see the baby for 36 hours :( I'm not sure you need to pump and dump anyway.

I don't know Rita, you'll be surprised. Some of the active ingredients can be harmful.

Yes Spidookly I'll be bursting so will be anyway, so need to know if I'd be safe to feed again on fri.

Very few medicines are actually unsafe for breastfeeding - especially an older baby. I can't imagine there's much you can buy over the counter that is a problem.

What are the active ingredients?

Should be fine anyway.

BfN leaflet:
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/Cough_and_Cold_Remedies_and_Breastfeeding_July_2009.pdf

i dimly remember there's something which inhibits milk production in some sorts of cold remedy. i've never had much luck with those lozenges anyway, honey for throat and paracetamol?

Spidookly: why did you put a sad face after "If you're not going to see the baby for 36 hours" ?

OP: my throat is my achilles heel too and I took any manner of sore throat remedies when I was breastfeeding (including chloraseptic throat spray which is the only thing which really numbs a VERY sore throat imo) and didn't give it a second thought. Should I worry now?

Ooh thanks Japhrimel! Just what I needed. Off to stock up!

Thanks everyone

Bitbitchy, doesn't look like you need to worry. Is that spray good then?

fishie I think decongestants like phenylephrine/pseudoephedrine could theoretically restrict milk production as they restrict blood vessels, so someone feeding a newborn might want to avoid taking lots of lemsip (it's fine in a nasal spray though)

bitbitchy - anything sprayed into your nose or throat is unlikely to be absorbed in large enough quantities into your body to make any difference to your milk

bitbitchy
Because the OP did, and I was just sympathising with her.

Oh! Well, I know op is breastfeeding and all and has a sore throat but was just projecting back to when my babies were that age and how I would have regarded a night away as a tremendous treat! .

Yes, it does work RnB.