Second rotten cold in a month and can't take anything stronger than paracetamol due to BF :(

[hubbahubster]

I had a proper nasty, full-on cold for the first three weeks of December. Thought I'd seen the back of it but have been struck down again and had to cancel all my lovely Christmas get-togethers with all our best friends. Feel so down about it, and as I'm BF my 7-month-old I can't take anything to help me through it. Am drinking loads of honey, lemon and ginger and taking as much paracetamol as allowed, but I'm just miserable.

Not sure what advice I'm expecting - just needed a moan. Can't even enjoy a drink! My throat's so painful I don't think I'll enjoy it, and my head's already pounding.

Have you checked about taking anything else? Lactmed is a good resource as is Kellymom.
Also drinking alcohol isn't a complete no, only if you're co-sleeping. Check that out too.

Olbas oil!! Saved my sanity last time I had a cold.

The alcohol is more a no because I'm so dehydrated and my head is pounding. Plus I can't taste anything! I have some white tiger balm so I'll slap some of that on... Of course baby has the lurgee too so I'm getting no sleep as she wants to sleep on the boob :(

I've spent a combined 6 years breast feeding 4 Dcs.

I use a lot of Vicks vapour rub. On my chest and soles of my feet ( and nose over some Vaseline to stop it irritating). Doesn't always work, but for your generic cold, it does work wonders.

Dc4 is almost three and I am looking forward to heavy duty meds for colds - I'm trying to stop breast feeding now!

6.5 years actually, that's a lot of winters :-)

Are you sure you can't take anything? Check the active ingredients of what you want to take against the information on the breastfeeding Network site. Sometimes decongestants aren't recommended because of the risk of reducing milk supply but at 7 months that's unlikely to be a big concern.

Also you can take ibuprofen as well as paracetamol if needed.

Actually, the issue with decongestants gets worse with an established supply.

I feel your pain OP. I last had decongestant in 2008.

Yes, you can take ibuprofen. I find that more effective

Yes to Olbas Oil or Vick. Also, Tiger Balm for aches and pains, hot baths, etc. I survived many colds while pg or bf with just those basic things and its actually okay

The issue with "established supply" was picked up in a study of eight women taking pseudo ephedrine and was referring to babies aged between 12-18 months. Some women in the study noticed a drop in supply and some didn't iirc but if you notice a problem you can just stop taking it straight away. just want to point out that the OP needn't suffer for fear of messing up bf.

Interesting, thanks. I was just going off the bfn advice leaflet.

I find ginger wine good with hot water , lemon and honey.

when I was bt, I used stuff hat I could squirt up my nose to help with congestion. I can't remember if it was just saline solution or something mentholy, but it was surprisingly effective.

penguins you are quite right, the BFN leaflet does say that, and suggests decongestants are best avoided until more research is done, but hopefully it is helpful for women to know that the evidence isn't that strong!

Absolutely

Thanks all :)