Which painkillers can I take while breastfeeding?

[motherinferior]

Not, I should explain, FOR breastfeeding(although breastfeeding related problems like blocked ducts definitely require them). Last time round I was told not to take ibroprofen - I assume there's a similar link to Reyes disease as there is with aspirin (is this correct?); this time I've pretty well exhausted my precious stock of prescribed co-dydramol (that last bout of blocked ducts did it). I find paracetamol pathetically useless for pain, honestly.

Is CD paracetamol and codeine? Can I take paracetamol and codeine? Was the ibroprofen advice wrong? All suggestions gratefully received. Am not in pain at the moment (thank you all posters about blocked ducts - cleared it in 24 hours!) but I'd like to be prepared.

Ibuprofen is OK to take although the packet will mention caution with breastfeeding. It is especially good for mastitis. It is a non steroidal anti inflammatory ans is diffrent from Aspirin which is still best avoided. You can take painkillers with codeine but it can cause constipation if taken in large doses ( mum and baby). Co-codamol is paracetamol and codeine - there are two different strengths.
Most drug packets will say caution with breastfeeding because drug trials are not done on pregnant or breastfeeding women. There is a lot of info on various B/F sites. HTH.

Oh, that does help. And makes me feel better about those ibroprufen I did secretly snarf down when dd1 suddenly started sleeping through the night and my boobs took 6 weeks to catch up.

MORE slavering thanks, mears.

Can I ask a vaguely related query - I'm sure I'm coming down with a cold (v sore throat) so have been taking paracetamol but would usually take lots of soluble Vitamin C as well to try to ward it off - any problem with this and BFing?

And mears, a quick question from me! I'm dying to have a glass of wine again, but as I'm still bf-ing I've kept away (except at the odd wedding, only one glass!) What is an acceptable level to drink whilst bf-ing, if at all? Cheers!

any idea if echinacea is ok? (also cooming down with cold!)

This site has a lot of information on drugs and breastfeeding (herbs, too) from Dr Thomas Hale, a guy who has done much research into that sort of thing (very legit).

HTH.

From what I have read echinacea is a no go when b/f.

Just be a little careful with the co-dydramol in large amounts. I had a foot operation a few months ago and had to take lots of them afterwards (far more than I needed to after 40 hours of labor and an emergency cs) and my dd wouldn't take my breast milk after the first day. She was almost a year old and only feeding once or twice a day so it really wasn't a disaster for her (I was sad to give up the bfing), but you wouldn't want it to happen to a younger baby. I drank normally (which isn't lots) while bfing and it didn't seem to affect my ds or dd.

Co-Dydramol contains paracetamol and dihydrocodeine. If you want a painkiller that is stronger than paracetamol, MI, then Paramol is good. You can buy it over the counter in a chemist's. It is a weaker version of CD - less dihydrocodeine, I think. Paracetamol has no effect on me, either, so I take Paramol (or CD) for migraine. Hope you don't need them, though!