Can I use Olbas oil as a decongestant while bf'ing?

[GoodGollyMissMolly]

I have a terrible cold and I am so bunged up, will I be able to sniff olbas oil to help a little bit?

Ditto - my sympathy!

It's safe to use while pregnant so should be fine for bf. You poor thing!

Yes, it's fine. You can also use a saline spray.

Thankyou everyone. We have one of those diffuser things for DD as she has been bunged up also but it doesn't seem to help with me much. So I will be able to use the olbas oil now.

chipmonkey - just 'cos something is safe in pregnancy doesn't mean it's safe in breastfeeding.

However, olbas oil just works topically, not systemically, so there's no way it can get into the milk

Really, tiktok, how come?

you can actually buy special olbas oil for babies?? not sure what's special about it. I have used it for my kids, put a few drop in the corner of their cot etc... just be careful not to let it touch skin cos it burns!!!

Do you mean Karvol bonnie?

no, there is a kids Olbas oil but don't think you can use it for under two's

Kids Olbas oil is for Oover 3m. I couldn't get it a couple of weeks ago and their grown up one now says you can use 1 drop from 3m.

To answer Chipmonks Q.

Some medicines are safe in bf/pg as they are safe for baby even if tehy are exposed to them.
Some medicines are safe in pg as they do not cross the placenta - but they cross into bm and therefore not safe for bf.
Some medicines are safe in bf as they do not cross into teh milk - but may cross the blacenta so be dangerous for the foetus.

Also I think some things could be safe for a baby but not a foetus and vice versa.

On that basis you have to look at each drug on a case by case basis.

One thing to say is that Olbas/karvol menthol containing inhalants aren't suitable under 3m - so if your LO is under 3m be careful how much you use in close proximity to him/her because of direct exposure IYSWIM.

Just don't whatever you do drop it in you LO's eyes accidentally like I did

oh, firefly, that sounds sore!