What Can I Take For Flu While Breastfeeding

How Does Benylin 4 Work

Benylin 4 flu tablets contain three active ingredients paracetamol, diphenhydramine hydrochloride and pseudoephedrine hydrochloride.

Paracetamol is a painkiller that can relieve mild to moderate aches and pains associated with colds and flu. Paracetamol also works to bring down a fever and this stops you feeling hot or shivery.

Pseudoephedrine is a type of medicine called a decongestant. It relieves a blocked nose by causing the blood vessels in the linings of the nasal passages and sinuses to contract and narrow. This reduces the feeling of congestion and the production of mucus.

Diphenhydramine is a sedating antihistamine that drys nasal secretions through its antihistamine action. This can help reduce a runny nose and relieve coughs caused by mucus tickling the back of the throat. The mild sedative effect can also help to suppress coughing and help restful sleep.

When Babies Have Colds

• Babies may want to feed frequently both for extra fluid and for comfort when they have cold symptoms.
• Babies with blocked noses may find it hard to feed and may keep coming off the breast. Sodium Chloride nasal drops used before feeds may help as may a manual decongester .
• Sometimes babies pull away from the breast and cry this may be because it increases in the pressure in their ears causing earache. This is particularly common overnight or after a longer sleep.
• Babies may have a croaky, hoarse cry which is different to normal, indicating a sore throat.
• Paracetamol can be given to babies older than 3 months .
• Ibuprofen can be given to babies older than 3 months.
• Historically paracetamol and ibuprofen were taken together but NICE recommended that this is not evidence based practice.
• Keep the atmosphere around the child moist by using vapourisers, steam generators or a damp towel over a radiator.
• If the parents have any concerns over the well-being of the baby medical advice should be sought urgently. It is better to err on the side of caution with young children whose condition can deteriorate rapidly.

Many of a babys symptoms can be taken to reflect a lower milk supply. Colds do not cause milk quality or quantity to diminish and breastfeeds can supply a great deal of comfort as well as nutrition to a child who is feeling poorly.

Sore Itchy Throat And/or Cough

• Drink strong black tea .
• Drink hot lemonade with honey. Or make a mixture of one part lemon juice and two parts honey. Sip throughout the day.
• Drink fenugreek tea to relieve head and chest congestion and cough.
• Use Zinc gluconate lozenges, but avoid taking large amounts of zinc for more than seven days, because it can interfere with other minerals in the body.
• Salt water gargle:Mix a 1 tablespoon of salt in eight ounces of warm water. Gargle the whole mixture several times a day.
• Apple-cider vinegar and water gargle.Mix 1-6 teaspoons vinegar in a glass of water you can mix it as strong as you can stand it. Gargle one mouthful . Repeat twice. Do this every hour, or as needed.
• Slippery elm bark can help with sore throat and cough. It comes in herbal cough drops and throat lozenges , or you can make a tea. For tea, use 1 to 3 teaspoons of powdered bark per cup, boil and simmer 15 minutes. Up to 3 cups per day.
• Chamomile tea gargle

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Are There Special Considerations For Mothers With Flu In Peri

Yes. Newborns infected with influenza viruses are at increased risk for severe complications, including death. CDC has specific recommendations that apply to mothers who have flu and their newborns in the hospital setting at the time of birth. Visit Guidance for the Prevention and Control of Influenza in the Peri- and Postpartum Settings for more information.

If direct breastfeeding is interrupted due to temporary separation of mother and child, the breastfeeding mother should be encouraged and supported to regularly express her milk so that the infant continues to receive her breast milk. A breastfeeding mother with flu may need access to a hospital-grade pump and additional lactation support while in the hospital and after discharge to maintain her milk supply and reduce the possibility of developing a breast infection. Prior to expressing breast milk, mothers should wash their hands well with soap and water and, if using a pump, follow recommendations for proper cleaning. If a mother is expressing breast milk, the expressed breast milk should be fed to the infant by a healthy caregiver who does not have flu, if possible.

How Nyquil Treats Your Symptoms

Nyquil products contain a combination of the active ingredients acetaminophen, dextromethorphan, doxylamine, and phenylephrine. They come in liquicaps, caplets, and liquid forms. Common Nyquil products include:

• Vicks Nyquil Cold & Flu
• Vicks Nyquil Severe Cold & Flu
• Vicks Nyquil Cough Suppressant

The table below describes how the ingredients work together to treat different cold and flu symptoms.

*Histamine is a substance in the body that causes allergic symptoms, including runny nose and sneezing. Blocking histamine also makes you drowsy, which can help you sleep better.**There are no studies on the safety of this drug while breastfeeding. Its likely safe, but you should ask your doctor before using it.

There are other forms of Nyquil available. Be sure to check the label for active ingredients before taking them. They may contain additional active ingredients that may be unsafe for breastfeeding moms.

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Can You Take Cold Medicine While Breastfeeding

For the most part, its okay for nursing moms to take many common cold medications. Many of the individual ingredients you might reach for to alleviate your symptomslike decongestants, cough suppressants, and pain relieversare generally considered safe, and the ones that arent often have safer alternatives that provide the same kind of symptom relief.

There are a couple of caveats, though:Many of these medications do pass into breast milk in small doses, and some of them have the potential to decrease milk supply, as well. Neither of these caveats mean you cant take these medications while breastfeedingbut it does mean you need to be aware of the possible side effects and pay special attention to dosing instructions. If you are a breastfeeding parent, it is best to check with your primary care provider, OB-GYN, or lactation specialist before taking medications. Also, there is a free database, Lactmed, you can also use to look up medications. Read all labels for active ingredients, including vitamins, supplements, naturopathic, and homeopathic substances.

According to Dr. Mello, one of the best ways to choose breastfeeding-friendly cold medications and reduce side effects is to stick with single-symptom formulations instead of multi-symptom ones for example, takingSudafed and Robitussin separately if you have a cough and congestion, rather than Dayquil or Tylenol Cold.

Can I Take Medication While Breastfeeding

You might be tempted to say no to taking medications since many over-the-counter solutions were off the table during pregnancy. The fact is, its much different to take medication during pregnancy than it is while youre breastfeeding.

When youre pregnant, you share a blood supply with your baby via the placenta. In most parts, the placenta is only one cell thick . It does a great job of keeping germs away, but the chemicals that come from medication pass through it easily.

Taking medication while breastfeeding is a different matter. Unlike the placenta, very few chemicals will pass into your breast milk. Whats more, many of those that do pass through are diluted enough to be safe for your baby.

Take Note

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Cold Medications Precautions While Breast

If you take lozenges or purchase a sore throat gargle, make sure you read the ingredients on the back or side label. You should avoid medications containing povidone-iodine. This ingredient increases iodine levels in breast milk. Higher levels raise the risk of transient hypothyroidism in breast-fed babies.

You should also avoid cold medications with high alcohol content. These include some nighttime relief medications that cause drowsiness. Medications with multiple ingredients for multisymptom relief are convenient, but its safer to take single ingredient cold medications. This precaution limits your babys exposure to over-the-counter medications.

You can also limit your babys exposure by taking dosages around your babys breast-feeding schedule, if possible. For example, can you feed your baby before a dose, and then avoid breast-feeding for one or two hours immediately after each dose?

Another way to reduce your babys exposure is by avoiding extra strength cold medications like those that only require one or two dosages a day. These medications are convenient because you dont have to take a pill every four hours, but they also remain in your bloodstream and milk supply longer than other types of medication.

Maybe Safe For Breastfeeding:

• Vitamin C: Theres a lot ofdebate over whether or not vitamin C helps anyone fight off colds, pregnant or not, but if youre a C-devotee wondering if you can increase your dosage during an illness, you should check with your doctor. While normal amounts of vitamin C seem to be fine, theres not a lot of research about extra doses of vitamin C, like the kind you might take to boost your immune system when sick. According toLactMed, the Drugs and Lactation Database, high doses are probably finebut its better to get the green light from your healthcare provider.

Whatever you choose, there is one thing you should definitely not do: Stop breastfeeding your baby out of fear of spreading germs through close contact. In fact, breastfeeding can protect your infant from illness.

Its okay to keep feeding your baby while youre sickyour body is making antibodies for the virus, which get passed through your breast milk, explains Dr. Mello. So keep your babys feedings, but if youre worried, wear a mask and add in some extra handwashing.

If youre unsure at all about the safety of any medication while breastfeeding, skip Google and give your provider or childs pediatrician a call, Dr. Mello suggests theyre much more likely to have accurate and up-to-date information about which drugs should and should not be taken if youre breastfeeding.

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A Guide To Breastfeeding While Sick With A Cold Or Flu

During cold and flu season, breastfeeding moms ask two questions: how do I keep germs away from my home? And can I still breastfeed while sick?

Its that time of year again cold and flu season. Breastfeeding moms may be asking two questions: how do I keep flu and cold germs away from my home? And can I still breastfeed with a cold or flu?

Why You Should Not Take Dayquil Or Nyquil While Breastfeeding

Both Dayquil and Nyquil contain ingredients that may reduce your milk supply. In Dayquil, the decongestant phenylephrine works by narrowing blood vessels. This allows you to find relief from a stuffy nose, but it can also decrease your milk production.

” help reduce phlegm, but as milk ducts also secrete liquid, these ingredients will probably also reduce the amount of breastmilk a breastfeeding mom produces,” explains Peter Rizk MD, MA, FRCOG, FRCS, HCLD, FACOG, FACS, a professor of obstetrics and gynecology and the head of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility at the University of South Alabama.

In Nyquil, the antihistamine doxylamine blocks histamines in your body. Histamines react to potential threats and cause blood vessels to expand. Blocking this process may inhibit your milk supply as well.

Doxylamine also causes drowsiness. It may not be safe to take a substance that can make you fall asleep while an infant is under your care. If you fall asleep with the infant in your bed or together on another surface, your child is at an increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome or suffocation.

Doxylamine may also cause drowsiness in your nursling. It’s important for breastfeeding babies to wake frequently to feed so that they get enough milk. Sleeping through feeds may lead to insufficient calorie intake or jaundice.

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Using Migraine Medications While Breastfeeding

You have more migraine treatment options to choose from when you’re breastfeeding, compared to when you’re pregnant. When breastfeeding, medication is deemed safe if your baby gets less than 10% of the dose through your breast milk.

A 2013 study in the journal Headache researched migraine medications that healthcare providers could safely recommend to their breastfeeding patients. Their findingsas well as newer researchindicate which medications are safer and which ones should be avoided.

Which Medications Are Safe While Breastfeeding

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If you’re a nursing parent considering taking medication, you probably have lots of questions. You may be wondering if an over-the-counter or prescription medicine could negatively affect your baby, for example, or whether it could disrupt breastfeeding in some way. These are common and understandable concerns.

Thankfully, as the Academy of American Pediatrics notes, most medications are compatible with breastfeeding. That said, because there isn’t a lot of data on some medications, and because the long-term effects of many medications are unknown, the AAP advises “to take medication only when absolutely necessary, and to take the lowest dose for the shortest time possible.”

Here’s what breastfeeding parents need to know about taking cold and flu medicines, allergy medicines, pain relievers, prescription medicines, herbal remedies, and more.

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How To Relieve Sore Scratchy Throats And A Pesky Cough:

Honey with lemon – Mix one cup hot water with 2 tsp of honey and 2 tsp lemon juice and drink throughout the day.

Apple cider vinegar and water gargle – gargle 1 tsp apple cider vinegar mixed with half a glass of water. It helps to rinse away toxins and bacteria, as well as relieve a sore throat.

Over-the-counter cough medications – Check to make sure that they only contain dextromethorphan and/or gaifenesin, as these cough-suppressing drugs shouldnt decrease your milk supply.

Taking Medication While Breastfeeding: What To Consider

Breast milk is the best food you can give your baby during their first year of life. It helps provide them with important vitamins and nutrients, and feeding time is a great way to bond with your child.

However, almost any drug that’s in your bloodstream will transfer to your breast milk. This makes it very important for mothers to evaluate what they are putting into their bodies to ensure it won’t harm their child. Knowing how you eat and drink affects your body and your baby. It can help you have a successful pregnancy and ensure your baby has everything it needs to grow happy and healthy.

A few helpful rules of thumb for taking medication while breastfeeding are:

• If the medication is one that infants are also prescribed, the amount your baby will receive through your breast milk shouldn’t be a concern
• You can reduce the amount of medicine in your breast milk by breastfeeding right before you take it
• Drink lots of water and keep your body consistently hydrated
• Limit caffeine
• Supplemental vitamins can go a long way in supporting the health of you and your baby while breastfeeding

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Is Oil Of Oregano Safe To Take While Breastfeeding

Oregano oil is promoted for its antibacterial properties but theres no research on taking it while breastfeeding. I worry that it would decrease supply, though, because peppermint and sage both decrease supply a fair bit, says Lamond. But theres no evidence around its safety or effect on milk supply.

Can I Take Vitamin C While Breastfeeding

Vitamin C is safe when taken within the recommended daily limit of 2,000 milligrams while breastfeeding. Your body can only absorb so much vitamin C, explains Alix Bacon, president of the Midwives Association of British Columbia. Beyond that, youre peeing it out, but it could give you a wicked stomachache. Research on whether it can help shorten the duration of a cold shows mixed results, so its not clear whether it works or not.

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What Are The Possible Side Effects Of Benylin 4 Flu

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that may be associated with the ingredients of Benylin 4 flu. Just because a side effect is stated here doesn’t mean that all people taking Benylin 4 fluwill experience that or any side effect.

• Drowsiness.
• Increased heart rate or blood pressure.
• Hallucinations.
• Skin rashes.

Read the leaflet that comes with the medicine or talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you want any more information about the possible side effects of Benylin 4 flu. If you think you have experienced a side effect, did you know you can report this using the yellow card website?

Watch Out For These Ingredients

The following are not recommended for nursing parents. Always check with a healthcare provider before taking any new medications, because some medications can reduce your breast milk supply or affect your baby’s sleep.

Ingredients to avoid while breastfeeding include:

• Alcohol: Some remedies have alcohol to help you sleep, so skip those.
• DayQuil: DayQuil contains dextromethorphan, a cough suppressant, and phenylephrine, a decongestant, which can reduce your milk supply.
• NyQuil: NyQuil contains dextromethorphan, but instead of phenylephrine, it contains doxylamine, an antihistamine and sleep aid, which can reduce breast milk supply.
• Diphenhydramine : This drug may cause sleepiness, and prolonged use may decrease your milk supply. Breastfeeding babies can also become drowsy or irritable.
• Pseudoephedrine : Decongestants that contain phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine can dry up milk supply.

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