Are cold cures OK when breastfeeding

[sponge]

Stuff like lemsip. Can you take them?

Dunno, but I'm watching this thread with interest.

cough sneeze sniff

Basically, yes. Lemsip is just caffeine & paracetomol. Taken as directed it's considered safe. I can look up specifics (Hale) for other meds; list if you want in next few minutes. Caffeine has a long life in the infant, though, might keep him/her awake.

Aack!! Is that the time?
I took Sudafed for a sinus infection -- pseudo-ephdrine is basically ok for the baby, but it can damp down your supply, so don't take it if you have supply issues.

I seem to remember that I could take less when bf than when pregnant.
Distinctly remember resorting to boiled sweets for sore throat when I wanted reasonably serious drugs.
Good luck with other advice.

Lemsip lists paracetamol and pseudoephedrine as the active ingredients so should be OK. No mention of caffeine.
However Day Nurse specifically says do not take if breastfeeding on the pack, despite having the same active ingredients. Confusing.

lempips are fine so are parosetomal and co-dydramol ( prescribed by my doctor ) are fine although i don't like taking medicens at moment as i am still bf jamie who will be 1 on sunday, i do if really need but just not too many

Anything containing pseudo-ephdrine will say do not take when bf, because of the potential supply problems mentioned by zebra. Personally I have always taken sudafed when necessary, but limited myself to 2 a day rather than 4.
But I find a mug of boiling water with the juice of half a lemon, a spoonful of honey and a slug of medicinal brandy to be far more effective than any otc cold remedy

oops... U can tell we dont actally use Lemsip in this house.

Most drugs are not tested on BF mothers so from a liablilty stand point prefer to say "not suitable" for BF mothers. The vast majority of drugs are OK as the baby will get a tiny amount. Durgs not recommended are radio-active drugs, chemotherapy drugs and some stromg anti depressants (including Prozac) because they have a long life.

echinacea is fine while bf.

Actually, there are a great deal of data on most drugs in breastfeeding mothers. That's what Hale's book is all about. Real studies on take up into mother's milk & subsequent effects on infants. But GPs don't know that the studies exist, just take the cautious approach & say no to almost everything.

Agree with Zebra... I was talking from manufacturer's stand point.