I was wondering if anyone can tell me if its ok to take tylenol cold while breastfeeding? I have a 2 month old and I am coming down w/a head cold. Thanks in advance for your responses!
K.:
all of the tylenol cold products are alright EXCEPT- multisystem nightime liquid.
P., RLC, IBCLC
Board Certified Lactation Consultant and Parenting Coach
www.lactationsupportgroup.com
Yup, almost anything you can get OTC is fine and most prescriptions are as well. If you feed extra mucussy, Musinex is also fine. You can double check with an LC if you call Community Hospitals, they can quickly look up any drug for it's safety level.
Tylenol is ok while nursing, but Tylenol cold is going to have a decongestant in it. The purpose of a decongestant is to dry you up....everywhere. For most women it will significantly effect your milk supply so while it may be safe, it's not a good idea especially with one so young who is probably exclusively nursing. Don't just assume that because it says it is a tylenol product, it is safe to use. Look up the active ingredients on the back of the package and then look up those ingredients online...esp on Kellymom. The only thing I do for a cold while nursing is a humidifier, reg tylenol, saline drops or nasal spray (this doesn't get into your blood stream so it shouldn't cause any problems with supply), breathe right strips at night/vicks vapo rub. You can also do a saline sinus rinse although I understand those freaking out out a little...took me a while to get bad enough/desperate enough to try it but it really does help.
i was told only sudafed and tylenol, just as if you are pregnant
My lactation consultant told us anything OTC was safe!
I was told not to take ANYTHING with a decongestant in it as it dries up your nose and your milk! It's best to just ride it out with health products.
Feel better soon.
Anytime you have a question regarding safe meds during breastfeeding, a good resource is www.kellymom.com It lists a lot of meds on the site and whether or not they are safe for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Not certain about Tylenol Cold, but I recently had a head cold and my doctor said Sudafed PE was safe while breastfeeding. I took it for 3 days, and it took care of my cold.
It's safe. Just be careful to keep your water intake up, because of the drying effect it can cause your supply to go down a bit. Another a really good option is Sudafed-non-drying. It is less likely to effect your supply while taking it.
I used saline drops for sinus and stuffy nose. My dr. said it works great for nursing moms and is very inexpensive. I am still using it although my son is 15 monthes and I have stopped nursing.
Good Luck!
B.
Hi K.,
Sorry you have "the cold" - I do too and I never get this stuff - it stinks! My doc has always told me Tylenol anything is ok when pg or nursing. I'm amazed at what is "ok" while bfeeding - even vicodin (I take it for occasional migranes) is ok...so strange...don't take an asprin but have this vicodin...you always have to double check because nothing makes sense! Remember to drink lots of extra water - that stuff will dry you up! Hope you feel better.
N.
