Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBreastfeeding While SickSafe MedicineWhat to AvoidAlternative Remedies
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Breastfeeding While Sick
Safe Medicine
What to Avoid
Alternative Remedies
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Can I Breastfeed While Sick?
Things to consider with nursing while sick include:
Drugs and Lactation (LactMed) DatabaseThe Drugs and Lactation (LactMed) database is a useful resource for parents. It’s a searchable database that contains information on drugs and other chemicals breastfeeding or chestfeeding parents and their babies may be exposed to.
Drugs and Lactation (LactMed) Database
The Drugs and Lactation (LactMed) database is a useful resource for parents. It’s a searchable database that contains information on drugs and other chemicals breastfeeding or chestfeeding parents and their babies may be exposed to.
Benefits of Breastfeeding for Immune Health
If you are too sick or weak to nurse, you might try pumping milk to keep up your supply.
Cold and Allergy Medicine Safe for Breastfeeding
The following medicines are considered safe for nursing parents, but it’s always a good idea to check with a healthcare provider or pediatrician before taking any new medications. Some medications can reduce your milk supply.
Causes of Breastfeeding Pain and Treatments to Help
Pain and Fever Reducers
Pain relievers andfever reducersthat are safe to take while lactating include:
Acetaminophen and NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) can be taken together. However, avoid taking more than one NSAID or more than one product containing acetaminophen at a time. Excessive doses of NSAIDs can cause an upset stomach, while too much acetaminophen can harm your liver.
Antihistamines
Allergy medicines help reduce symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, and a runny nose. Safe options to take while lactating include:
Cough Medicine
Cough suppressants and expectorants are generally safe to take while breastfeeding or chestfeeding. Some cough medicines may contain alcohol, which should be avoided.
Cough medicine ingredients you can take on a short-term basis while lactating include:
Decongestants
Decongestant nasal sprays are safer because they are delivered straight to the source of congestion. They are not likely to enter the milk supply or hinder milk production.
Oxymetazolineis the primary ingredient found in decongestant nasal sprays sold under the brand names:
Oxymetazoline should not be used:
Can You Take Antibiotics While Breastfeeding?
Antibiotics are generally safe to take during breastfeeding or chestfeeding, but some are safer than others. For example, metronidazole should not be taken while nursing. Ofloxacin and gentamycin should be used with caution and only when no other options are available.
Medications to Avoid
Cold medicine ingredients to avoid while lactating include:
Read the IngredientsLook at the ingredients list on the packaging before taking any medication. Not all ingredients have been studied for safety in breastfeeding people, and healthcare providers urge caution when deciding which medications to take to treat a cold or flu.
Read the Ingredients
Look at the ingredients list on the packaging before taking any medication. Not all ingredients have been studied for safety in breastfeeding people, and healthcare providers urge caution when deciding which medications to take to treat a cold or flu.
Benedryl
Benedryl is a brand name of diphenhydramine. This drug may cause sleepiness, and prolonged use may decrease your milk supply. Nursing babies can also become drowsy or irritable.
DayQuil
DayQuil contains phenylephrine, a decongestant, which can reduce your milk supply. In addition, phenylephrine has not been studied on nursing infants, so its safety profile is unknown.
NyQuil
Sudafed
Sudafed is a brand name for pseudoephedrine. Sudafed PE is a brand name for phenylephrine. These decongestants can dry up your milk supply.
Pseudoephedrine can also cause irritability in babies.Phenylephrine has not been studied in infants and should be avoided.
Alternative Cold Medicines and Remedies
In addition to OTC medications, some alternative remedies can help treat symptoms of common illnesses (like colds), such as:
You can always talk to your healthcare provider about other options for symptom relief.
Summary
OTC pain and fever reducers, non-drowsy antihistamines, nasal sprays, and OTC cough medicines are generally safe while lactating.
Other medications, like phenylephrine and pseudoephedrine, can hinder milk production and cause irritability or other side effects in babies. Avoid products sold under the brand names Benedryl, Sudafed, NyQuil, and DayQuil while lactating.
Keeping hydrated, using a humidifier, and getting as much rest as possible can help you feel better without side effects for you or your child.
If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your healthcare provider, lactation specialist, or your child’s pediatrician.
22 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Prescription medication use.
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National Library of Medicine, Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).Dextromethorphan.
National Library of Medicine, Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).Guaifenesin.
National Library of Medicine, Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).Oxymetazoline.
van Wattum JJ, Leferink TM, Wilffert B, Ter Horst PGJ.Antibiotics and lactation: An overview of relative infant doses and a systematic assessment of clinical studies.Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2019;124(1):5-17. doi:10.1111/bcpt.13098
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Alcohol.
National Library of Medicine, Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).Codeine.
National Library of Medicine, Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).Diphenhydramine.
National Library of Medicine, Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).Doxylamine.
National Library of Medicine, Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).Hydrocodone.
National Library of Medicine, Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).Phenylephrine.
National Library of Medicine, Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed).Pseudoephedrine.
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