Sick Breastfeeding Mom Needing MD Whose Rx Won't Affect Milk Supply

I talked to my son's pediatrician, and she told me my options. I also called the Leleche League reps and got their advice on medications. Then I would call my doctor and tell him what they said. It worked for me. Worst case, you might just have to power thru it. But, don't stop breastfeeding because of this, I know you would regret it once the cold has passed!

Great job breastfeeding!! KEEP IT UP!!!
No medication has been proven safe for breastfeeding mom's. I would try homeopathic and practical natural at-home things first (warm cloth, plenty of WATER, humidifier, etc). Even though it may seem bad, MOST sicknesses will go away on their own as your body learns to fight them off. Our bodies are smarter than we think. I can look up some homeopathic stuff for you in my nutritional healing book if you want. You can also call down to Mike's Health Collection in McKinney, tell them your problem, and ask what they recommend. They are loaded with information about natural remedies for things. Above all, get plenty of REST and WATER!!!

A.,

Try any or all of these ideas:

Use a Neti-pot or NeilMed Sinus Rinse bottle. They sell packets of saline mixture to be mixed with cooled boiled water. You rinse your sinus passages with the mixture and that rinses out the mucous. Less mucous gets down into your throat, which means less coughing. -- During allergy season I rinse in morning and at bedtime. Sometimes I have to use two bottles of rinsing to get rid of mucous.

Use the little saline spray bottles in between the above rinse treatments, to keep the mucous liquid enough to move it.

Take guaifenison (sp?). I'm not sure how this OTC drug affects nursing/babies - read up on it! Anyway, guai thins and loosens the mucous so it will cough up easier.

Take odorless garlic capsules - antibiotic and antifungal. If you have a cold or virus, it will help you get over it or at least not get worse.

Take Vit C - strengthens the immune system and shortens the length and severity of a cold.

Use a humidifier, especially at night - keeps the sinus passages from drying out. Dried up mucous blocks the breathing passages and is harder to cough up. -- During the day, you can move the humidifier from room to room with you and baby. This can help a lot.

Do a hot steam treatment several times a day - several ways to do this: boil water on stovetop and breathe in steam or wet a washcloth or handtowel, squeeze it out, then heat to steaming in the microwave. Use common sense here - wait for it to cool just a bit. Handle it with a dry towel so you won't get burned. Breathe in through the damp washcloth, so the steam will loosen the mucous in the sinus passages and you'll be able to expel it by blowing your nose or clearing throat or coughing.

Your goal needs to be to keep the mucous liquid enough to be able to expel it by blowing or coughing. Be careful when you blow your nose - don't blow too hard when you're completely blocked up because you can injure your eardrums. Pay attention to your body.

Bless you!
A.

Talk to your ob/gyn. They will be much more sympathetic to your breastfeeding situation and make sure the meds you take are the right ones for you and your baby.

Alfalfa and Sustained and Time Release Vitamin C to replace antihistimine. Garlic or Grapefruitseed Extract as a natural antibiotic. Eucalyptus oil and humidifier for chest congestion. Make a "tea" of fresh lemon juice and honey for a throat soother.

Have you contacted your OB?

Hi A.,

Talk to your OB/GYN and/or your Pediatrician. Both are great about helping you get well WHILE still breastfeeding! Kudos to you for not being ready to wean just yet! :-) I hope you feel better soon.

http://www.harmonyfamilyhealth.com/

Dr. Chartrand will get you AND your baby cared for with as few and as gentle drugs as possible. GL!

A.,
There is a nasty virus going around where you are coughing with some drainage for 1-2 weeks. I've had it for a little over a week now, I'm feeling better. My co-worker had it for 3 weeks, her husband had it for 6 weeks. Anyway, I didn't take anything for it, drink a lot of water and drink orange juice. Lots of vitamin C...
I'm still nursing and I do know antihistamines can dry your milk supply up, so I just wouldn't take anything...

God Bless YOU!

I second Dr. Chartrand. He's great. Also, you can take Fenugreek to increase your milk supply. You can also drink Mother's Milk tea, but for me it was easier just to take the Fenugreek. It really works and it's completely safe. You will smell like maple syrup but it could be worse!

Hi A.,

I am a Chiropractor and I use several nutritional products or homeopathic rememdies to clear up the infections. They do not cause dryness. I use Applied Kinesiology or muscle testing to determine which supplement is best for you. We can also test the baby to make sure it won't effect the baby. If you have any questions or would like more information you can call me at ###-###-#### or visit my website at sullivanchiropractic.com. Thanks! Dr. Sandra S.

Best thing to do is call your hospital where you delivered and talk to a Lactation Nurse. They will know best about drugs that affect milk supply. I believe Claritin (regular, not the one w/ decongestant) is the only thing that is tested to be safe. Also Ocean Spray saline solution, drinking black tea, and getting a humidifier (or take a hot shower) helps. Drinking LOTS of water and eating oatmeal can also help with milk supply. Feel better soon!