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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

What can I take for cold symptoms whilst breastfeeding?

13 replies

Snewt · 08/10/2006 09:44

DS is nearly 6months and still being BF first thing in the morning and last thing at night with formula during the day. I'm feeling rotten as am full of cold and due to go back to work tomorrow. Is there anything I can safely take to ease the symtoms whilst still minimal breastfeeding? Is Lemsip safe?

OP posts:
DettaJnr · 08/10/2006 11:33

I am not sure if you can have Lemsip but you could take Solpedeine and plenty of hot lemon drinks. Apparently there is something in them that helps (article in Guardian last week about it). If you can stomach it, crush a large clove of garlic and mix with a spoon of honey and swallow it. Both have anti-bacterial properties. Good luck with work.

MerlinsBeard · 08/10/2006 11:37

drink hot lemon jelly with a spoonful of honey in and take some paracetamol

GuppinBuppin · 08/10/2006 11:49

drink hot water and honey. lots of it.

princessmel · 08/10/2006 12:08

Hi, I asked the chemist and my gp about lemsips last time I had a cold and they both said I COULDN'T take it(because I was bf btw!). I was feeling rubbish too. I just took paracetamol and wrapped up and waited to feel better. Get well soon.

SoupDragon · 08/10/2006 12:09

I think it's the decongestant aspect of lemsip that's not appropriate when bf-ing. I used to take soluble paracetamol in hot ribena!

QueenQuootieSpookypieBee · 08/10/2006 12:10

oh dear, I had some lemsip the other week

PinkTulips · 08/10/2006 12:13

half a lemon squeezed, a spoonful of honey and hot water, homemade lemsip. take a parecetomol with it if its very bad.

MrsOhHu · 08/10/2006 12:59

I was told by the chemist that it was fine to take Lemsip while bf. I know you're not supposed to take it when you're pg, but it's not the same when you're bf! I hope it's ok - I took lots when they said it was safe!

FrannyandZooey · 08/10/2006 13:16

I was also told to avoid Lemsip because of the decongestant.

Menthol is good for blocked noses or even just steam inhalations. Karvol is also fine.

PinkTulips · 08/10/2006 15:42

my chemists told me there was nothing on the market i could take for cold symptoms when pregnant, only low dose paracetomol

PinkTulips · 08/10/2006 15:43

whoops, meant when bf-ing..... cat jumped on me and distracted me!

determination · 08/10/2006 16:44

i use Menthol crystals or sometimes i also use daughters - childrens olbas oil - however im not sure if this is completely safe. Also as previously mentioned LOADS of natural hot lemon drink made with fresh lemon, sugar or honey (honey is def better though)

Hope your feeling better soon theres nothing worse..

Prufrock · 08/10/2006 17:05

You can take decongenstants which contain pseudoephedrine when bf. (eg Sudafed) Hales (the bible of drugs whilst preg and bf) says that it is perfectly safe with regards to not being passed through milk. The only problem is that pseudoepedrine has a drying effect on the mucous membranes, which is why it stops you sniffling, and your breast tssue is also a mucous membrane so it can cause your milk to dry up. In fact it is occasionally prescrdibed for just that purpose. But if bf is well established, then the occasional low dose of a decongestant will not have a dramatic effect or lead to being unable to continue bf.

If you want more reassurance search nder zebra's name for Hales

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