Breastfeeding and sick....

daniellepanda

So I am EBFing and pumping. I am on day #3 of this terrible head cold with a low fever I have been taking ibuprofen and took benedryl a couple times the first day but heard conflicting things about any antihistamine drying up your milk supply so I stopped taking that even though it made me feel better. I have a cough, slight sore throat and runny nose/headache. What do/did you do when you are sick and still breastfeeding?? It seems like any medication for cough or cold is not recommended due to drying up your milk supply. I have just been doing natural cough drops, ibuprofen and black tea with honey the past 2 days and it is not helping at all. I am going to call the OB on monday if this is still going on (office closed on the weekends grrr) to see what they recommend.  Halp!!

chelsead83

Same her! And to top it off my DD got sick also. I am just doing cough drops also. Don't really know what to do about DD but just keep giving her breastmilk. But I hope we both get better soon!

chelsead83

I meant here . Little tired waiting for my LO to fall asleep.

RubineLime

Taking one Benadryl at night or a 12-hr Sudafed during the day is NOT going to dry up your milk supply. You can also try a non-steroidal sinus spray to clear you up, but it is not recommended to use the spray for more than 3 days. (look for oxymetazoline HCl - NOT pheneylephrine spray) All-natural saline sprays are also available, but I find that they just don't do the job when I'm really congested.

All that being said, if you're sick you need to almost double your water intake to keep from getting dehydrated while BFing. It wouldn't be a bad idea to keep a few bottles of Pedialyte on-hand and drink one per day while you're sick. (The "assorted fruit" flavor tastes like juice and it's very palatable)

Good luck and feel better, Mama! 

 

 

 

forensicmama

I breastfed my DD for 2 years. The best thing for you to do when you're breastfeeding and sick is to get as many liquids as you can and to breastfeed your little one! Your baby will receive antibodies through your milk. It never failed that when I was sick and then my DD would get sick, my illness would last much longer than hers. She was usually better in less than a day! I always tried to stick with Tylenol, tea and water when I was sick. I avoided everything else. I know right now you feel awful and you feel like nothing is helping at all. You will feel better eventually. You can't be sick forever. Once you see your doctor, he can check you for strep or other infections. Other than that, try to get lots of rest and you'll all get through this.

forensicmama

Rubine - The pedialyte idea is genius! I like that! Yes, dehydration is the most important thing to try to avoid while ill and BFing. Drink, drink, drink!

RubineLime

forensicmama:

Rubine - The pedialyte idea is genius! I like that! Yes, dehydration is the most important thing to try to avoid while ill and BFing. Drink, drink, drink!

I keep a stockpile of it in my linen closet. CVS brand is only $3/bottle (on sale) so I always clear the shelves whenever they have it at that price. I especially like to have it when I have my period. I drink a bottle a day to keep my fluids up b/c we all know that time of the month is hellish on hydration!