Sudafed and BFing

fusionbride

I know you aren't supposed to take it but I am MISERABLE with allergies and a cold etc.

I have a big freezer stash, so can I take Sudafed if I pump and dump?  How long would you dump after taking some?

If any of you have taken it (or a similar decongestant), how long was your supply affected?

I'd love even just one night of sleep where I could breathe...

honkytonk_kid

https://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/cold-remedy/

I would not pump and dump. The main concern with Sudafed is that it can reduce supply, not that it is dangerous for the baby. I would take it at night so 1. baby is asleep/ not nursing for awhile and 2. you can get some sleep.

Hope you feel better soon!

tokenhoser

If you have allergies, take an antihistamine. Claritin, Zyrtec, or Benedryl are all safe.

If you have  a cold and just need to breathe, use a nose spray like Dristan or Afrin. Works like magic for me, no breastfeeding issues. I use it only at night for as few days as possible, as it can cause rebound congestion.

Sudafed never works for me anyways, so I don't mess with it while bf-ing. It won't hurt your baby, but it may hurt your supply. 

honkytonk_kid

tokenhoser:

If you have allergies, take an antihistamine. Claritin, Zyrtec, or Benedryl are all safe.

If you have  a cold and just need to breathe, use a nose spray like Dristan or Afrin. Works like magic for me, no breastfeeding issues. I use it only at night for as few days as possible, as it can cause rebound congestion.

Sudafed never works for me anyways, so I don't mess with it while bf-ing. It won't hurt your baby, but it may hurt your supply. 

Ooh I forgot about Afrin. Just being able to breathe through my nose is enough for me to feel like I can function while sick.

fusionbride

in my fever & runny-nose induced state I forgot all about KellyMom.  Thank you all.

Very helpful info!  I'm already on Claritin so off to the drugstore for some sort of nasal spray I go...

jennyelf

Starbuck128:

I can take Pseudoephedrine (the old Sudafed that actually works, not the Sudafed PE stuff) once a day with no noticeable dip in supply. I drink a few more glasses of water and eat oatmeal a couple of times a day to help counter act the Sudafed.

 

Same here.