I am really stuffed up from a head cold. Is there anything I can do/take while nursing???
I know Sudafed Decongestant is a no no because it can dry you up. Besides a Neti pot, what are my options?
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Tea?
I always just took tylenol (for fever) and drank lots of tea and was miserable while nursing, so I feel you. Feel better!
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Have you gotten into essential oils? My friend just got me this breathe blend that I've been using when DD is stuffed up...
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Just looked it up for myself 2 days ago! http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/cold-remedy/
Theraflu has been awesome. Also using RC and Eucalyptus essential oils!
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Long, super hot steamy showers always gets things flowing for me.
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I talked to our pediatrician (who is also a breastfeeding specialist) about this and she actually said sudafed is ok, don't take a ton, but only 30% of women actually have a decrease in supply from it, and that's especially towards the end of breastfeeding. So if you don't have supply issues you could take sudafed. And if it does decrease your supply it's only for the six hours it's in your system. I took it a few times this week because I was just miserable and so far so good, but I also have a bit of an oversupply.
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RC essential oil!! Along with Thieves oil on the feet!
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@Foodnerd81: I've been desperate a few times and taken Sudafed and did not notice a difference in supply. I just nursed like crazy in the days after to counteract any effect. I did try not to take it many days in a row, but usually it gave me just enough relief in one or two doses to get past the congestion!
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@twodoghouse: well my kid is 3 weeks old tomorrow- we are nursing like crazy all the time.
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@Foodnerd81: Ah, the good old days when you're nursing around the clock!
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I took Sudafed while nursing and noticed a slight dip in pumping but M never seemed to notice a problem when nursing.
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@birdofafeather: what's RC? I always forget to use eucalyptus oil for myself!
My supply has always been on the lower end. And DD is 16m and only nursing 2x a day. She's not ready, nor am I yet to wean. So...yeah...
@twodoghouse: @Foodnerd81:
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@regberadaisy: ah ok, you are pretty much the person they should avoid sudafed then. Sorry.
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@regberadaisy: Nothing to help, but I'm pretty much in the same boat! And LO started daycare this fall so we are getting all. the. colds. She's 15 mo and we're not quite ready to wean. I'd be okay if she was done but I would feel super guilty if I weaned over sudafed. So in the meantime - tea, hot shower, and lots of snuffling and klennex!
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@regberadaisy: what about Tylenol cold?
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What about breathe right strips?
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@regberadaisy: it's Young Living's blend that has 3 different types of eucalyptus oils along with some other oils that support a healthy respiratory system. I found it worked really effectively for me by placing a drop on either side of my nose to open up my sinuses. I also used eucalyptus solo. Neti pot, then the oils. Peppermint helps too but there are some people that it effects their supply and I wouldn't recommend it if you're already susceptible.
Good luck. Being stuffed up with a cold really blows! I'm already sleeping poorly with a newborn so I've been looking up all my options to help!
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Thanks everyone. Both my nostrils got plugged last night and I literally could not breathe through my nose! Thankfully, we had some simply saline in the house. That seemed to work to at least clear that so I can breathe again. I assume a Neti pot works the same?
@birdofafeather: thanks! Will check it out. I need to get a humidifier for our room!
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If you're that stuffed up, Mucinex will help release all that gunk. It's an "expectorant", not a decongestant
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@regberadaisy: do you have breath right strips? They really can help a little too. Personally I've never had a lot of luck with the Neti pot but maybe I just do it wrong. Can you take a hot shower right before bed? Sleep with your head elevated on an extra pillow?
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Oh and are you running a humidifier? That would help if you end up breathing through your mouth anyway.
@twodoghouse: @Foodnerd81:
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