I have a really nasty head cold right now.I feel yuck! I can stop sneezing which i have beedn doing for several days now. It is in my eyes which feel so irriable that I just want to keep them closed forever! My DH, and MIl are trying to get me to stop nursing and just feed Scarlett bottles of formula for the next several days so Ican take some OTC meds. I didn't want to do this b/c I Know that would be the end of my nursing Scarlett b/c it has happened with Hobbes and Zoee when I have stopped nursing for a couple of days. Even if I pumped every couple of hours( which I didn't think feelingthe way i do, I could do it!) So does anyone know what OTC is safe for nursing? If there is nothing then I will just suffer which I am okay with but it is hard to take care of thekids feeling this way. Thanks!

Yikes! It sounds like you're really miserable. :-(

I don't know of any safe OTC meds; however, I find that when I'm congested (and nursing!), rubbing Vicks Vapo Rub on my chest, neck and just a dab under my nose helps (DON'T do this if you're an asthmatic!!). Also, I use saline spray to help clear the nasal passages and lubricating drops to help alleviate eye discomfort (Several manufacturers make "tears" formulas--just for irritated eyes).

Hot tea w/ lemon & honey, soup, etc.

I so hope you feel better soon!

{{{big hugs}}}

Thanks Mary! I will have to send Dh for some eye drops andI will try the Vicks and see how it works. I have been drink tea all day but not with lemon or honey.Thanks again!

When I was nursing both my girls, I have taken sudafed without any issues, as well as robitussin (almost all varieties) per my OB/GYN and family doctor's advice. Many, many medications are safe for nursing moms. I would call your doctor and see if they can advise you on what to take.

I second Mary's advice. I got a super nasty cold and just suffered and took tylenol and tried to wait it out. I have really bad allergies, and I got the ok to take benadryl when they get really really bad, even though there is a slight chance that it can decrease supply or even dry you up all together (like most of the otc stuff). I haven't had a problem w/ benadryl, but I probably only resort to it once or twice a month b/c it puts me into a coma!

Try a hot shower w/ some the vapor stuff (I think they make one now that sits in the bottom of the shower, like a little ball) and a cup of hot tea, that'll help open you up too.

Hope you feel better soon, there's nothing worse than a cold in the middle of the summer, yuck!

i know anything with an antihistamine in it (like benadryl and sudafed) can lower your supply drastically.

robitussin DM is safe when you are nursing i think, and there are a few others but i forget what they are...could you call your dr? they would know.

Just out of curiosity, I looked on Kelly Mom's site and here's the info they have on cold meds during nursing:

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/cold-remedy.html#meds

Thanks Judy! That information was great, i am going to try someof the stuff they suggested.