BF and cold remedies

[KelaS]

Hi all. I am ex bf my 7 wk old DD, and woke up this morning with a cold - normally not a problem, but I am getting married this weekend, and really want rid of it - are there any cold medecines that I can't use when bf?

i asked my pharmacist when i had a cold and he said no take some paracetamol and breath steam for the congestion as decongestants an absolute no no, i suggest you speak to your pharamacist. It's rotten.

Some decongestants (sudafed etc) I believe work by reducing the production of fluids in the body - i.e. they dry you up. So although it'll stop your nose running, you may also see a drop in milk supply.

I was a bit naughty and took Beechams all in one the other day when I had a cold (it didn't have any breastfeeding contraindications, and I was feeling bloody awful) and I did notice when I expressed I only got 6-8oz rather than my usual 8-10oz.

you can only have paracetamol and natural things like honey and lemon I'm afraid
steam is very good for clearing sinuses
elderberry extract (from health food shop) is ok to take and lessens length of cold, may even knock it on the head
I do hope it clears up

Thanks all, sorry, this is the first time I have been able to get online since I posted the above. Luckily the cold doesn't seem to be too bad, will be fine with just paracetamol.

For absolutely only your wedding day, an inhaled decongestant will be fine. Something like otrivine.