breastfeeding and colds

[KirstyM2014]

Hi all, seem to have got a cold, it came on last night whilst feeding,I know I can't have lemsips is there anything I can actually have other than paracetemol.

You can still take ibuprofen. I always find (even before I breastfed) that there isn't much you can do with a cold anyway apart from drink lots of fluids and wait it out

The reason you're advised to avoid decongestants is because they can have an impact on your supply. As pp has said you can have ibuprofen. I have also used a sinus spray during really bad colds when feeding although this isn't strictly recommended. A saline spray is safe and can be very effective.

Thank u, I know not much u can have normally for colds but I do normally have lemsips but know I can't take them, been to get paracetemol and halls soothers to ease my throat

BFN factsheet is pretty good on what you can take (basically most things except decongestants): www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/dibm/cough%20and%20cold%20remedies%20(2).pdf

Can you get non-decongestant Lemsip where you are, btw? For some reason the default Lemsip here in Ireland only has paracetamol and vitamin C (and is hence perfectly safe for BF) - you need to get the special Head Cold one for the decongestant - while the default one in the UK seems to have the decongestant in it. V confusing!

Thanks leedy I think they all have the decongestions in I will survive I'm sure