Skip to main content

Can you take cold medicine while nursing? What you need to know about what to avoid

Taking cold medicine while breastfeeding: What is safe for your baby?

So you have a cold? Taking care of yourself while taking care of a new baby is no easy task. But parents don’t get the day off to nurse a sore throat or sleep away a headache. This is, of course, doubly true for nursing moms who need to buck up and offer the breast despite feeling aches, chills, and general malaise.

If you have just a common cold, try to avoid taking any unnecessary medications whenever possible. Your best bet is to hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and get plenty of rest — yeah, yeah, we know that tip is a laugh. At some point, though, you may have to pop a pill or take a shot of cherry-flavored syrup to get through a rough patch in your illness. (If you have a fever, flu, or more serious symptoms, be sure to contact your doctor about treatment options.)

Recommended Videos

In the meantime, if you need a little something, don’t fret. Taking cold medicine while breastfeeding is possible — and there are several options that are generally considered safe. You’ll want to look at the ingredients, do your due diligence, and when in doubt, talk to your doctor or a pharmacist.

Mom holding and breastfeeding baby
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What medicines are safe while breastfeeding in small doses

Desperate times call for desperate measures, but before you reach for any old medication in your cabinet, do a little digging. Here are some options that are generally considered safe for nursing moms and their little ones:

  • Acetaminophen: The active ingredient in Tylenol is a safe and effective option for breastfeeding moms. (There’s a reason it’s often given to brand-new moms at the hospital!) Only a minuscule amount makes it to your milk, so rest assured that there’s nothing to worry about.
  • Ibuprofen: The nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory active ingredient in Motrin and Advil is safe for breastfeeding moms. A tiny amount gets to your milk.
  • Decongestants and antihistamines: Whether it’s allergies or general congestion plaguing you, you can feel assured knowing that most decongestant and antihistamine options are safe during pregnancy (when in doubt, talk to a doctor or pharmacist, though). One important thing to note is that antihistamines have a drying affect — so while they’re effective at quelling your runny nose, they may also temporarily dry up your milk supply. Using a nasal-spray decongestant for a few days can solve your stuffy nose without affecting your supply. Furthermore, antihistamines with the ingredients diphenhydramine and chlorpheniramine have a sedative effect, and in addition to making you feel sleepy, they may make baby tired too.
  • Guaifenesin/expectorants: Some expectorants with the active ingredient guaifenesin (i.e., Mucinex or Robitussin) can effectively break up mucus and congestion. They are usually considered safe, but it’s worth noting that there is not a lot of research around its use in breastfeeding moms. However, guaifenesin has been given to infants directly, so the general consensus is that you can feel confident it’s acceptable only when necessary.
  • Lozenges: Got a sore throat? Sucking on a lozenge can help and is totally safe; just don’t overdo it with any that contain menthol — in excess, the ingredient can diminish milk supply.

A new mom checks the medicine cabinet

What medicines are off-limits for your baby while breastfeeding

Warning! These options are mostly no-no’s for breastfeeding moms. Take heed and find an alternative:

  • Cough syrups: There are common active ingredients in cough medicines. Pseudoephedrine is considered safe for breastfeeding, but it has been shown to dry up supply and cause irritability in baby. If your cough syrup has codeine, though, find another option — the ingredient passes through your breast milk and can be dangerous for your little one.
  • Aspirin: You should avoid this option altogether. Though rarely, it can cause a baby to get Reye’s syndrome. If you take aspirin for your heart, talk to your doctor about a low-dose option or alternative medication.
  • NyQuil: It may be tempting to knock yourself out with a hearty dose of NyQuil at night, hoping you’ll wake refreshed and ready to parent. However, NyQuil has a high quantity of alcohol content, making it a less-than-ideal option for breastfeeding moms and their babies.
Woman comparing medications
Image used with permission by copyright holder

What about other supplements and homeopathic options? Which ones are safe?

In general, you don’t want to take too many herbal supplements while pregnant. The main reason for this precaution? Supplements aren’t regulated, and you’re better off taking options that have been heavily vetted for safety and efficacy.

  • Elderberry: You’ll want to avoid this option. While many swear by its natural effectiveness, the risks outweigh the benefits of breastfeeding moms. When not properly processed, it can be toxic and cause severe gastrointestinal issues.
  • Echinacea: While there is a debate about its efficacy (and no medical data proving it works), it’s considered safe for breastfeeding women to take echinacea.
  • Peppermint: If you’re not feeling well, you may be tempted to turn to a cup of peppermint tea. The peppermint can help clear your congestion, while warm tea soothes your throat. Win-win, right? While it’s not unsafe for nursing moms, it should be noted that too much peppermint can reduce your supply — so stick to one cup.
  • Vitamins: Hopefully, you are still taking your prenatal vitamins, but if you want an extra immunity boost while fighting off an illness, you can take some vitamin C (just make sure your total intake doesn’t exceed the daily limit of 2,000 milligrams.) You can also add zinc to your regimen (no more than 40 milligrams). Of course, it should be noted that there’s no hard scientific evidence that proves vitamin C or zinc will help you get over a cold quicker, but it doesn’t hurt to try!
  • Homeopathic remedies: Most homeopathic remedies are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Of course, while medication is sometimes necessary, it’s best to avoid it if possible. With that in mind, try some alternative, more natural methods before you turn to syrups and pills. Breathing in steam and essential oils can clear out a stuffy nose; drinking hot tea with honey can soothe your throat, and rinsing with a solution of apple cider vinegar and water may help. But if all else fails, show yourself some kindness and get medication.

Taking cold medicine while nursing might not be your first choice, but you have to be functional in order to be able to take care of that sweet baby who depends on you so much. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor or your child’s pediatrician about specific ingredients to get the all-clear.

Lauren Barth
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Lauren Barth is a freelance writer and digital editor with over a decade of experience creating lifestyle, parenting, travel…
Authoritative parenting: What you need to know
Is authoritative parenting the right style for your family?
Teenage girl fighting with parents

While everything may look like sunshine and rainbows when families post happy pictures on social media, parents know that image isn't always true life. Parenting is probably the most difficult and often thankless job you will ever have. It is the most important, though. If you're on TikTok, you've probably seen videos touting different parenting styles, like almond moms or scrunchy moms, as well as elephant parents. All the discussion about parenting styles can make new and veteran moms and dads wonder what the ideal approach to raising kids is.

In the 1960s, three main parenting types were identified and studied by developmental psychologist Diana Baumrind. These parenting styles included authoritative, authoritarian, and permissive. The 1980s brought uninvolved parenting into the mix. This style was introduced by psychologists Eleanor Maccoby and John Martin. Authoritative parenting is often confused with authoritarian, but the two are actually different. The authoritative parenting style finds a constructive medium between authoritarian and permissive parents. This balance is why many parenting experts feel it's the ideal way to raise confident and well-adjusted kiddos. So, what exactly is authoritative parenting, and is it the right style for your family?
Four main parenting styles

Read more
Do pregnancy tests expire? What you should know
Find out if you should use one past the expiration date
Woman excited at pregnancy test

From over-the-counter medicines to things in your fridge, we worry about the expiration dates of items that go into our bodies. Some things you could get away with trying past the expiration date, but with others, you don't want to compromise on the quality. One of those items you don't want to play around with is a pregnancy test. Whether you want a positive or a negative result, you don't want that to fail you. Do pregnancy tests expire? Can you use a pregnancy past the expiration date? Here's what to know about how good the pregnancy test you have in the cabinet is.
When a pregnancy test expires

Have you noticed one on your bottled water? Everything has an expiration date. Yes, even a pregnancy test has an expiration date. Most pregnancy tests will last one to three years after the manufacturing date, some two to three years. That is a huge spread, sure, and an expired pregnancy test isn't something you want to hope is still good. To keep it safe, don't buy any tests that are a few months away from the expiration date. You can't take a test until you are a week late (with most), so there has to be some wriggle room.
Digital vs. non-digital tests
Are digital and non-digital tests the same when it comes to the expiration date? Yes. They both have a shelf life of the same time frame. There might be a difference in how you read the various tests, but both non-digital and digital pregnancy tests have expiration dates. Look at the bottom of the box and on the individual package to find it.
Get the most out of your pregnancy test

Read more
Home birth: What you need to know about the benefits and risks
Here are some things to learn about before making this choice
Pregnant couple sitting on the couch with a monitor.

All pregnant women have a picture in their head of their ideal birth. The type of pain relief or lack thereof, the music and ambiance, and the time leading up to the birth have all been thought through dozens of times by the mom. With more women wanting to have more control and power over their bodies, home births are on the rise as a favored labor option. While every pregnant person should check with their doctor to see if they are a great candidate for a home birth, here are the pros and cons to know before your due date.
Home birth benefits

People want a home birth for all of the benefits it offers the family. Here are perks that may attract you to this type of birth.
You will be in a comfortable surrounding
Being in your home or other safe space instead of the hospital is more relaxing for the mother. Even if you have visited the hospital a few times during the pregnancy — nothing beats being at home.
The mother will have more control
A mom's home is her castle, and she runs it well. A mother giving birth at home feels empowered to have more control over everything from the birthing position to sounds to using any aids like oils or candles to make it more comfortable.
There's room for a support system
Since COVID, the number of people allowed in the birthing room has been lowered, and in some cases, hasn't gone back up from just one additional person in the room. A home birth allows for as many (or as few) people as you want to be there for it.
Family can be included
Hospitals usually don't allow siblings in the birth space. We get it. A home birth lets siblings be a part of the process as much as the mother wants, which could be a special bonding time for the kids.
Recovery starts immediately and is usually easier
There's nothing that drives a woman who has just given birth to insanity than waiting for those discharge papers. With a home birth, you are already home and can immediately start healing.
Other perks for a home birth

Read more