Flu medication is used by breastfeeding mothers

The flu can happen to anyone, including nursing mothers. Sometimes the flu can be overcome without using medical drugs, but the use of cold medicines by nursing mothers cannot be used carelessly. Find out what cold medicines are safe for nursing mothers and babies!

Can breastfeeding mothers use flu medicine?

Taking medication while breastfeeding is often something mothers doubt. You are not exaggerating; in fact, this is a sign that you are a good mother because you are trying to protect the baby from any harm that might befall it.

You also need to pay attention to the transmission of the flu virus to babies. The longer the flu is treated, the greater the chance that your child will contract the flu virus. Instead of not wanting to use medicine, it will cause your child to catch the flu.

This is also not good for your baby, right? Therefore, there is nothing wrong with treating the flu with medicine. It should be noted that not all cold medicines significantly affect lactation.

The criteria for this cold medicine are quite safe for use by breastfeeding mothers because it does not pose a risk or danger to your baby. Know the cold medicines for nursing mothers so that you can treat the flu without feeling anxious or afraid of side effects.

Flu Medicine for Breastfeeding Mothers that is Safe for Babies

It is natural for nursing mothers to feel worried and doubtful about the cold medicine they are about to use. The reason is that not all cold medicines are safe to use for breastfeeding mothers because there are certain drug ingredients that are concentrated in breast milk and harm the baby.

Don't want bad conditions to happen to your baby? Use the safe breastfeeding mother's cold medications listed below!

1. Paracetamol

One of the most excruciating symptoms of the flu is pain (a headache). Of course, these symptoms worsen your breastfeeding days, especially if you still have to stay awake at night.

Headaches due to lack of sleep double because they are added to headaches from the flu. Certainly, this makes your head feel like it's going to explode. Relax; this can be relieved by using cold medicines that contain paracetamol.

Paracetamol, or acetaminophen, is an ingredient in cold medicine that is safe for breastfeeding mothers to use. The use of cold medicines containing paracetamol does not harm the baby, even though it can be absorbed through breast milk.

2. Ibuprofen

Just like paracetamol, ibuprofen is also a cold medicine for nursing mothers, which is safe to use because it doesn't harm the baby. Ibuprofen is a non-opioid analgesic that is useful for reducing pain, like paracetamol.

Nursing mothers should not rely solely on paracetamol to treat colds, fevers, inflammation, headaches, and pain in other parts of the body. You can be relieved by using cold medicine containing ibuprofen. Ibuprofen-containing cold medicines come under a variety of brand names.

3. Dextromethorphan

Unlike the two previous cold medicines for breastfeeding mothers, dextromethorphan belongs to the antitussive class of cold medicines, which have the benefit of treating dry, unproductive coughs. Not infrequently, the flu is accompanied by a dry cough (no phlegm), and this is quite torturous.

Basically, cold medicines containing dextromethorphan are quite safe for use by breastfeeding mothers. This is because its effect on lactation poses no risk to the baby.

The use of dextromethorphan by some breastfeeding mothers is not allowed because it can endanger the safety of the mother. Dextromethorphan is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers who have asthma or diabetes.

4. Bromhexine

Cold medicine for nursing mothers that is safe to use is bromhexine. The content of this one cold drug belongs to the mucolytic group. The benefits of bromhexine can help expectoration by reducing sputum viscosity.

Often the flu is accompanied by a cough with phlegm, and this can also happen to nursing mothers. Phlegm is quite a lot and seems to be endless, causing discomfort and interfering with your activities when breastfeeding your little one.

5. Glyceryl Guaiacolate

Glyceryl Guaiakolat, in addition to Bromhexine, is a mucolytic therapy cold medicine that is also safe for nursing mothers.Glyceryl guaiacol can help with colds that are accompanied by coughing up powdery mildew.

6. Decongestant class of drugs

Flu treatment also involves drugs from the decongestant class. Decongestants are useful for reducing nasal congestion due to swelling of the mucosa. The way decongestants work is by narrowing the blood vessels in the blocked nose.

There are several types of ingredients in cold drugs that are classified as decongestants, such as phenylpropanol amine (PPA), phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine, and ephedrine. However, not all of these decongestant drugs are safe for breastfeeding mothers.

7. Chlorpheniramine Maleate

Chlorpheniramine maleate is a drug from the antihistamine class that is useful for relieving some of the allergy symptoms that are also similar to flu symptoms. Some of these symptoms include headaches, a runny or stuffy nose, and others.

The use of chlorpheniramine maleate is considered safe because it has little effect on lactation and does not harm the baby. However, you also need to be careful about using this cold medicine while breastfeeding, especially if your baby was born prematurely.

Important Things Regarding the Use of Flu Medicine for Breastfeeding Mothers

Even though some of the cold medicines for nursing mothers mentioned above are quite safe to use, you still need to use them with caution. The reason is that each breastfeeding mother's cold medicine has several things that are contraindications and warnings.

Consult your doctor first before using cold medicine. Make sure your medical condition and that of your baby are supported when using the cold medicine. This aims to prevent any side effects that may occur.

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