Milk Supply - Greenlawn, NY

I have been really sick this week with fever, cough and congestion. I took some Tylenol multi- symptom and some Tylenol cold earlier in the week. I am now regretting it completely because I feel like my milk supply has dramatically decreased. I would avoid it if you can. I ended up taking it because my husband was out of town and I had no help from anyone to help watch my daughter so it was a way of relieving my symtoms enough to be able to take care of her.

Wondering if anyone has advice to help stimulate my supply or is it too late.

I took Robitussin and it was fine. My OBG, my pediatrition, and the pharmacist said it was okay. They told me to stay away from really strong drugs like Mucinix (which is like Robitussin X 4). I have found that bendaryl hypes my son up (through my milk) and he can't sleep. But other than that the other cold medicines I have taken have had no side effect.

According to my drug book, Prentice Hall Nurse's Drug Guide 2008, one of the contraindications of Robitussin is lactation. Many drugs have contraindications and therefore should not be used in specific conditions. Personally, I would avoid the Robitussin if at all possible.

Robitussin is listed as an L2. Meaning it is "probably safe, but you need to watch for sedation in the baby and it may suppress milk supply. In general, clinical studies documenting the efficacy is lacking and the usefullness of this product as an expectorant is highly questionable. Poor efficacy of this drug would suggest that they do not provide enough justification for use in lactating mothers. Always does with large volumes of fluid."

Taken from Thomas Hale's "Medications and Mother's Milk" 2006

I was told by my doctor that I could take regular robitussin for cough. I did take it and it didn't seem to affect my supply. I did take sudafed(plain) and that did affect it so I would stay away from that. It did return to normal after a few days.

Any antihistamine or decongestant can reduce your milk supply. Any drug that dries up mucous also inhibits proper milk production. If you are congested, a coffee in the morning will help a little. HTH!

I don't know if it will affect the amount but I know that you should not take anything, even if it's over the counter, before you ask either your child's pediatrician or pharmacist because the meds can get to your milk and to the baby.
I also know that for a headache you can have Tylenol, and for cough - honey or a minced garlic. THese are safe for sure.

Just went to the doctor today and she told me to NEVER take a decongestion medicine while breastfeeding. It goes into the breatmilk and can cause your baby to be hyper. They can also react in more severe ways from rashes to seizures. She told me to drink lots of water and that I can take Mucinex but not the one with an added decongestant. She also said to use saline nasil spray with out anything added to it. It won't effect your milk supply but can have very negitive effects on your baby.

Jenn P

Hi,

Pseudoephedrine, a decongestant that may be in the robitussin you are taking, can significantly decrease your milk supply, and is also not a very safe choice to take while breastfeeding. If you need to take a decongestant, choose one that has phenylephrine instead of pseudoephedrine.

Hope that helps!

Sudafed can dry you up!

L.,

I'm not sure about Robitussin, but I know that most cold medicines will reduce milk supply because of the way they work to reduce mucus. I would ask a lactation consultant before taking anything while nursing.

D.

I don't know about robitussin, but my lactation consultant told me that antihistamines can reduce your supply (which makes sense since their purpose dry you up in other ways!). I had taken benadryl in the last trimester, and I had milk supply problems when my baby was born, and I think that might have been a factor.

I am not sure about robitussin - since its primary purpose is to thin out mucus - I would think that it would not affect your supply.
I am positive though that sudafed (psuedoephedrine) will dry you up. I learned that the hard way.

A.

Please read through the following page from Kellymom: http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/cold-remedy.html
and if you still havent found an answer regarding the meds id suggest calling the doc to find out if its ok to use while breastfeeding or even just doing a google search. From what i can remember Robitussin is safe to use while b/f but not sure about what it does for supply.
good luck.

Don't know a specific answer to your question, but I did just read an article that found that a teaspoon of raw honey (available at most health food stores) worked better at suppressing coughs than over-the-counter cough medicine, and I know that honey is safe for breastfeeding and doesn't hurt milk supply or baby.

Don`t take Robitussin, you really need Healthy Nursing Tea by secrets of tea.

I am not sure about Robitussin, but my Dr. told me to take theraflu. I didn't notice any change in my milk production. Good luck, and feel better.

You should check with your doctor. Most over the counter medicines go into your milk supply but it's important to know whether or not that medication will be harmful to your child. Feel better.

DO NOT take robitussin...you really cant take any over teh counter meds except tylenol/advil unless you talk to your pediatrician. unfortunately, us breastfeeding moms have to suck it up when we are sick..youll get through it. if you have any questions, please feel free to email me. ive been nursing my son for 9 months now!!

Hi L.,
I would definitely consider some homeopathic remedies before any over-the-counter meds. If you have a cough, try boiling water with chopped ginger and garlic, honey, lemon and a little black pepper. Let it boil and cool to 'tea-temperature.' Drink as often as possible. This will definitely help. My almost-2-year old drinks it when he's sick too.

Best,
S. Crispo
Postpartum Doula

I'm not sure if it will effect your supply, but I dont think that you should take it. I recently had a bad case of the Flu-high fever, sore throat etc. & my Dr. said the only thing I can take is Tylenol. I also gargeled (sp?) with warm salt water, drank A LOT of tea with honey and lemon. Good Luck & hope you feel better

i'm sorry to be of no help to you personally, but whenever it comes to breastmilk, and taking any kind of meds (otc or prescriptions) i would ALWAYS seek the advice of your dr, and/or the baby's pediatrician! only they really know best on that.