Acute respiratory diseases (ARI), or, as they are called in everyday life, colds, are a group of diseases caused by various viruses, mainly affecting the mucous membranes of the upper respiratory tract and causing general intoxication of the body. Feeling its signs (headache, muscle pain, lethargy, weakness), the nursing mother is horrified, because she must be near the baby all the time and the worst thing is to infect the baby.

Acute respiratory infections during breastfeeding: course of the disease

The duration of a cold ranges from several days to several weeks. Infection with acute respiratory infections occurs by inhaling droplets of sputum containing viruses that enter the air from sick people when coughing, sneezing and talking.

In the human body, viruses multiply rapidly in the mucous membrane of the upper respiratory tract. Each type of acute respiratory infection virus has a “predilection” for a specific part of the upper respiratory tract. For example, the parainfluenza virus - to the mucous membrane of the nasal passages and larynx, rhinoviruses - mainly to the mucous membrane of the nasal passages.

As a result, patients develop swelling and inflammation of the mucous membranes of the respiratory tract affected by the infection. From there, viruses enter the blood and spread to various organs. Susceptibility to acute respiratory infections in nursing mothers is very high: their respiratory organs constantly work under high load, since milk production requires high energy consumption and a large amount of oxygen.

From the penetration of the virus into the upper respiratory tract to the development of the disease, an average of 1 to 3 days passes. The main signs of all types of colds are fever, runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, sore throat, and cough. As a rule, the course of acute respiratory infections is not severe and short-lived (from 3 to 10 days).

However, these diseases (especially influenza) are dangerous due to their complications. They aggravate chronic diseases, including “silent” foci of infection. Therefore, treatment should not be neglected when acute respiratory infections occur, even if the disease is easily tolerated.

How to treat a cold for a nursing mother?

Treatment of acute respiratory infections during breastfeeding should begin as early as possible. At the first signs of the disease, you should consult a doctor who can recommend appropriate therapy. At home, a nursing mother should wear a disposable mask, which must be changed every 2 hours.

There is no need to stop breastfeeding if acute respiratory infections occur, except in cases of prescribing medications that are incompatible with breastfeeding. To date, no effective drug has been created against viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. Tools such as REMANTADINE, RIBOVIRIN, ARBIDOL, which suppress the reproduction of almost all viruses, are effective only as a prophylaxis or in the first hours of the disease.

But they have side effects that can also appear in a child: they disrupt the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, causing abdominal pain and loose stools; increase nervous excitability; An allergic rash may occur on the skin. Yes and when using IMMUNALA, a complex homeopathic preparation AFLUBINA allergic reactions in the baby are possible.

Doctors do not recommend that nursing mothers use these medications. However, in case of acute respiratory infections for the purpose of prevention or treatment, they can be instilled into the nasal passages GRIPPFERON(this is interferon; a protein substance produced in the human body and having antiviral, immunomodulatory and antitumor activity). GRIPPFERON has no contraindications and does not cause side effects.

In addition, suppositories can be used when treating nursing women. VIFERON, which is a complex of recombinant alpha-2b human interferon in combination with tocopherol acetate (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid.

It should be remembered that in case of a viral infection, the use of antibiotics is not justified. Antibacterial drugs do not act on viruses, so symptomatic therapy is carried out aimed at reducing intoxication and increasing the body's defenses.

Of course, in some cases, the doctor may suspect the presence of a bacterial complication, such as a sore throat or pneumonia, and prescribe an antibiotic combined with breastfeeding (you need to check this information with your doctor).

If you need to prescribe a specific antibacterial agent that is not compatible with breastfeeding, then breastfeeding should be stopped for the duration of treatment, and the milk should be expressed by hand or with a breast pump and discarded.

Symptomatic therapy includes prescribing plenty of warm drinks. This is an important measure that prevents drying of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat and helps to thin sputum, sweating and reduce the level of intoxication.

It must be remembered that an increase in temperature during a cold is an important protective mechanism. It is by the temperature reaction that the doctor will be able to timely diagnose the development of a bacterial complication of acute respiratory infections, and the uncontrolled use of antipyretic drugs can distort the picture.

The safest way to reduce high fever (above 38.5 degrees C) in nursing mothers is PARACETAMOL, which should be prescribed by a specialist. Such popular cold remedies as THERAFLUE, COLDREX, FERVEX etc., it is not recommended for breastfeeding women, because Their effect on this group of people has not been fully studied.

To reduce cough expectorants are prescribed to thin out mucus, for example AMBROXOL (LAZOLVAN), which allows you to cleanse the bronchi and restore their functions. Drugs whose main active ingredient is bromhexine are contraindicated for nursing and pregnant women.

When coughing, nursing women will be helped by herbal preparations based on licorice root, anise, ivy, thyme, thyme, plantain and other herbal ingredients that promote the removal of mucus from the bronchi, for example BREAST ELIXIR(take 20-40 drops several times a day), GEDELIX, TUSSAMAG, BRONCHICUM, DOCTOR MOM. At runny nose Vasoconstrictor drops may be useful to facilitate nasal breathing NAFAZOLINE (NAPHTHYZIN), XYLOMETAZOLINE (GALAZOLIN),TETRIZOLINE (TIZIN), OXYMETAZOLINE (NAZIVIN). They can be used no longer than 3-5 days.

A herbal preparation - oil drops - will be useful. PINOSOL, which has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects. When you have a runny nose, you can use sprays to moisturize the nasal mucosa. AQUAMARIS, SALIN prepared from sea water.

These drugs thin out mucus, improving its discharge, and help normalize the functioning of the nasal mucosa. At sore throat it is possible to use local antiseptic (antimicrobial) drugs HEXORAL(solution, spray), CHLORHEXIDINE, IODINOL(gargling solution), lozenges SEBIDIN, STREPSILS. Used to lubricate the pharyngeal mucosa LUGOL'S SOLUTION(aqueous solution of potassium iodine).

The question of how to treat during lactation was asked by every nursing mother who has either already fallen ill with this acute respiratory disease or is afraid of its occurrence. After all, many medications are contraindicated during this period due to the harm they can cause to the baby through milk.

A nursing mother should not panic when she gets pregnant. After all, our body has evolved over many millions of years and has become resistant to various viruses. As for kids, there is no need to worry about them either, because usually such an infection is defeated by the protective forces of the immune system in a matter of days.

The disease begins to develop according to the following principle: first it enters a healthy body and begins its active reproduction, and as a result, the cells of the mucous membrane are damaged.An inflammatory process appears, which manifests itself in skin hyperemia, increased blood circulation and swelling. Development begins, and... In response to acute respiratory infections, the body's defenses are immediately activated.

The immune system produces specific antibodies that destroy this infection. There is no need to be afraid of complications from a cold if a nursing woman has good body resistance.You should not panic and take the appearance of such a disease calmly.

You need to make every effort to support your body in the fight against the emerging viral infection.

A cold during lactation has the following symptoms:

• Dryness and itching appear in the sinuses, which causes frequent sneezing.
• The voice becomes hoarse, irritated and sore.
• It begins.
• Aches joints and muscles.
• A nursing mother experiences severe weakness and fatigue, accompanied by drowsiness.
• begins to increase from very insignificant numbers on the thermometer to very large ones.
• There is discharge from the nasal sinuses with a transparent tint and a thick liquid structure, which can thicken and turn into crusts.
• There is severe discomfort in the throat, which is associated with pain when swallowing.
• Profuse lacrimation begins, accompanied by a fear of light and pain in the eyes.

May present with varying combinations of symptoms. They can be either pronounced or completely insignificant. But all these signs bring severe discomfort to a nursing woman.

Breastfeeding when you have a cold

Some people mistakenly believe that breastfeeding during ARVI is dangerous. But this is absolutely not true. On the contrary, it can help the child. As mentioned earlier, along with mother’s milk, the baby receives a number of antibodies that resist such a virus. With a high degree of probability, it can be said that an infant will not get a cold while breastfeeding.

It is best not to deprive the baby of mother's milk when such a viral infection occurs, trying to protect him from the disease.

But there are situations when feeding a child is contraindicated.

These are cases when the mother has a very serious condition, and her state of health does not allow her to properly care for the baby.This disease can lead to complications such as pneumonia and acute bronchitis. If they occur, then it is better for the woman to stop breastfeeding and switch the baby to formula feeding.

Most medications are contraindicated during lactation. This is due to the fact that medications can harm the baby’s health if they enter his body through mother’s milk. It is for this reason that a nursing mother needs to choose only safe drugs that will not harm her newborn baby.

Drug treatment

Colds during lactation should be treated with medications that do not contain any harmful components:

• To eliminate strong symptoms, you should take medications with an expectorant effect. During lactation, a good choice would be to take medications or Ambroxol. To make breathing easier, products such as Chest Elixir or, that is, those syrups that contain medicinal herbs are recommended.
• Severe congestion in the nasal sinuses is eliminated using the type Tizin, Farmazolin or. Abuse of such drugs can lead to complications in the form of atrophic rhinitis, so you should not get carried away with these drugs. They can be used for no more than seven days.
• During this time, you should use products that have a local effect and are antimicrobial in nature. These include Hexoral and Strepsils. As for the mucous membrane, it can be spread.
• Herbal oil drops have an excellent anti-inflammatory effect on the sinus area.
• Acute respiratory infections caused by infections of viral origin can be eliminated with the help of Grippferon. This drug has no contraindications to treatment during lactation. In addition, the body tolerates it well.
• During a cold, the nasal mucosa must be additionally moisturized. This can be achieved using sea salt drops and sprays.

It should be remembered that during lactation it is strictly forbidden to use drugs containing bromhexine.

Traditional methods of treatment

Since ancient times, treatment of acute respiratory infections using traditional medicine recipes has been not only safe, but also had a fairly good effect:

• Application is as safe as possible for the mother’s body. They can be made using herbs (for example, steaming eucalyptus leaves). Using steam from boiled potatoes gives excellent results. To facilitate the process, you can purchase a special drug -. It will also be useful to the mother when the child grows up for treatment. Inhalations with its help are done using Borjomi, Ambrobene (solution) or saline. The doctor must decide which remedy will be most effective for acute respiratory infections. By doing inhalations three to four times a day, after just two days you can see how your health has improved.
• With the help of raspberry tea, you can easily soften the general condition during such a disease.
• To help a sore throat, use a solution that contains water (1 glass) and apple cider vinegar (1 tablespoon). Procedures with its help should be carried out at least once every hour.
• To make breathing through the nose easier, use the following recipe: heat a quarter cup of sunflower oil in a water bath and mix with garlic and onion, previously crushed into fine crumbs. This mixture is infused for an hour to two, and the resulting composition is lubricated inside the nasal sinuses.
• Linden tea with the addition of honey has an excellent effect. The concentration of such a drink should not be too strong; it should be slightly darker than water. You should not be overzealous with the use of linden; its excessive use is fraught with the appearance of pain in the heart area.
• For acute respiratory infections, the use of onions and garlic is very useful. They can be pre-chopped and mixed with honey. To get rid of colds, one or two teaspoons of this composition are eaten after each meal. However, we should not forget that these odorous products can provoke diarrhea in an infant. Therefore, before using such a drug, you should consult your doctor.

Useful video - Colds during lactation.

Causes, symptoms and best remedies for colds

Many nursing mothers are concerned about the question: is it possible to steam their feet if they have a cold during lactation? Yes, such procedures are indicated during acute respiratory infections. It is very important to follow one rule: the water temperature should not be more than 40 degrees, and the process itself should last approximately 8-12 minutes. This method is quite effective. And to make its effect even better, you can add a small amount of mustard to the water. Immediately after the procedure, you must put on cotton socks.

Actions at temperature

If the temperature during lactation rises to 38.5 degrees, the nursing mother can take paracetamol (one tablet) or drugs based on it. This medicine is the safest for reducing high fever. This drug perfectly eliminates pain in the head and muscles that accompany acute respiratory infections.

But before this, you need to consult your doctor to avoid unwanted effects. As for drugs like Theraflu, Fervex or Coldrex, it is better not to take them on your own, since it has not yet been established how they can affect the baby’s body.

At temperatures below 38 degrees, you can use a wipe based on a weak vinegar solution. Vodka in equal proportions with water is also suitable for this purpose. After the whole body has been rubbed, you need to cover yourself with a light sheet.These steps should be repeated every 15-25 minutes. If the thermometer shows a temperature of 37.5, then there is no need to bring it down.

But when the temperature is very high (more than 38 - 38.5 degrees), the milk may well “burn out” and lactation will stop.

One important rule during acute respiratory infections is that if a prolonged increase in body temperature occurs, you should never self-medicate. You should immediately seek the help of a general practitioner, and do not forget to mention breastfeeding at your appointment. A specialist can prescribe antibiotics and other drugs against this viral infection that will not harm the baby’s health.

There are situations when it is not possible to cure this type of infectious disease without simultaneously interrupting lactation. This can occur in diseases that are bacterial in nature. There are also cases when surgical treatment is required for a nursing mother. If such a situation occurs, the woman needs to consult a doctor and warn him that she is breastfeeding.

If there are acute respiratory infections that are in no way compatible with breastfeeding the baby, the doctor will prescribe a switch to artificial feeding. In this situation, the child may need additional therapy if he or she has already become infected. This is a necessity, since having lost the milk of its mother, the baby needs a natural increase in the immune forces of its body.

If doctors’ forecasts are not so disappointing, and complications from acute respiratory infections in the mother can be combined with breastfeeding, then there is no need to stop it. To do this, a woman must express her milk so that the lactation function remains normal. This needs to be done several times a day.

Before you begin to treat a cold and its complications with medications, you should carefully read the instructions included with them in advance.

These actions are necessary because any, even the safest drug, may contain chemical components that can harm the health of a nursing mother and her baby. It is strictly forbidden to exceed the amount of the specified dose prescribed in the instructions for the medicinal product.By following all the above rules, you can easily survive the unpleasant period of a cold during lactation and not be afraid that the child will be left without breastfeeding.

Treatment of a nursing woman is always a very painstaking process, regardless of what pathology worries the patient. This is due to great limitations in the use of medications. Only some of them can be used to alleviate the condition, including the development of ARVI. Drugs should be selected only under the supervision of a pediatrician and therapist. Such cooperation will minimize the risk of problems with the child and the health of the nursing mother.

The main active ingredient of the drug is naphazoline, which has a direct effect on the mucous membrane. Due to this, after 1-2 uses, the swelling of the nasal cavity is reduced and the amount of sputum is reduced. Sanorin can be used during lactation in the form of a spray or drops; this will not have any significant effect on the therapeutic result. For treatment, you need to do one injection or instill up to 3 drops into each nostril. You can repeat such manipulations 2-3 times a day. Therapy should not be continued for more than 5 days, as after this addiction occurs.

A more powerful drug that comes in the form of a spray. To treat a nursing woman, it is better to use pediatric dosages, which include one injection into each nostril. The procedures are repeated 2 times a day, since the results from using Noxprey last for 8-12 hours. As with any other vasoconstrictor drops, you should not use the spray for more than 5-7 days, as after this tolerance to treatment develops.

Attention! Do not exceed the doses of these drugs, as they have a depressing effect on the baby’s circulatory system, entering his body through breast milk. If the active substances of these drops are poorly tolerated, problems with the baby's kidneys and liver may occur.

Antiviral agents for nursing mothers

The medicine is available in the form of drops and spray. They are instilled directly into the nasal cavity. During the feeding period there are no restrictions on the use of these drops, as they are well tolerated by patients. For treatment, you need to drip 3 drops of Grippferon into each nasal passage. The procedure can be repeated up to 6 times a day after the same amount of time. The maximum course of therapy using antiviral drops is one week, after which it is necessary to stop treatment with Grippferon.

Treatment is carried out in the form of rectal suppositories. Thanks to this introduction, rapid and maximum absorption of the active substance is ensured. Typically, a nursing woman is recommended to take 1 Viferon suppository in the morning and evening. The duration of treatment can be 5-10 days, it all depends on the severity of the disease and accompanying symptoms.

Attention! These medications must be taken immediately after the first signs of ARVI appear. It is in the first 48 hours that the body is most amenable to treatment, which allows you to remove all signs of the disease in 3-5 days. You should not use antivirals if you have autoimmune diseases.

Remedies for sore throat due to ARVI during lactation

Treatment requires up to 3 injections of the drug into any of the nostrils. At the same time, the peculiarity of the product is its application pattern. After one injection, you should wait 1 minute, then make another injection and wait again for a pause. Similar manipulations are repeated up to three times using Kameton per session. This is necessary to inhale well all the active substances of the medication. It is allowed to spray the spray directly into the oral cavity according to the same pattern. The duration of therapy is selected individually for each patient.

A rinse solution should be used during this period, as it is the safest. To carry out the procedure, take 15 ml of undiluted solution. If more treatments are not prescribed for the mucous membrane, you should gargle in the morning and evening. Therapy can last up to 7 days, but usually 5 days of treatment is sufficient. In some cases, the doctor may recommend using Hexoral also at lunchtime, especially in the first three days of treatment.

Attention! During lactation, experts recommend using rinse solutions. They also relieve painful discomfort well, but at the same time they do not actually penetrate into the mother’s body, and therefore into breast milk.

Medicines to reduce fever

The medicine is produced in the form of tablets for dissolution in water. Efferalgan is produced in a dose of 250-500 mg of the active substance. To reduce the temperature, you can use both doses, taking into account the intensity of the heat. A maximum of 2 g of Efferalgan is allowed per day during lactation. You should not take pills for more than 3 days without the supervision of your doctor, as the cause may be much more serious than a common ARVI.

A classic remedy that can be used to reduce fever at any age, including during breastfeeding. Paracetamol doses are also 0.25-0.5 g at a time. At temperatures above 38.5 degrees, you can immediately take 1 g of Paracetamol. But at the same time, you cannot exceed the daily dose of tablets of 2 g.

Attention! These drugs are the safest, since their active substances can even be used to treat infants. But at the same time, you should not abuse them, since a number of them have a direct effect on the kidneys.

Video - How to treat a nursing mother?

To make treatment more successful, you must adhere to a number of mandatory recommendations:

• do not stop breastfeeding; if you use properly selected products, there will be no consequences for the baby;
• Be sure to eat well, filling your diet with vegetables, white meat and fruits;
• drink enough water, as even a slight temperature can cause a decrease in breast milk production, and a sufficient amount of liquid will prevent this from happening;
• be sure to rest with your baby, as it is important to spend more time in bed during ARVI, which is not always possible to do with an infant;
• Spend enough time outdoors, ventilate the room and maintain optimal temperature and humidity.

Attention! It is especially important to consult a nursing woman for treatment if she has kidney problems. Since the exacerbation of a chronic disease of this system will force the use of rather aggressive drugs that require cessation of lactation.

Cost of drugs against ARVI during lactation

Attention! These prices are conditional and may differ by 5-20%, taking into account the pricing policy of the pharmacy and the remote location. The highest prices are observed in pharmacy chains in large cities.

Folk remedies for the treatment of ARVI in nursing mothers

Tea with lemon and honey

This remedy has a general tonic effect, which increases immunity and speeds up the recovery period. You should drink this product no more than 2-3 times a day, since honey can provoke an allergic reaction in a child. For 200 ml of tea, it is better to take green, you need to add half a teaspoon of honey and a slice of lemon. If the child tolerates honey well, its amount can be increased to a whole spoon. You can be treated in this way until your health is completely restored.

Against sore throat

A saline solution with iodine has a good effect. To prepare it, just take a teaspoon of salt and 2 drops of another substance per 200 ml of warm water. Before starting therapy, it is necessary to ensure complete tolerance to iodine. You can repeat the rinsing procedure up to 4 times a day. If a woman is afraid of iodine, you can do two procedures per day with only salt, and two with two components. You can gargle in this way for up to 7-10 days.

For quick relief of symptoms

The use of iodine as a warming mesh perfectly restores health. It should be done after the woman has steamed her legs. This can only be done if the nursing mother does not have a fever! As soon as your feet are well warmed up, you need to draw a mesh on your heels, put on warm socks, preferably woolen ones, and immediately go to bed. If treatment is started quickly, the mother will need no more than 3-4 procedures; in more complex cases, therapy can be carried out for up to one week.

Mustard in socks

Such treatment can also be carried out only in the absence of fever. For treatment, you need to take 1 teaspoon of mustard in each sock. Pour the substance into the heel area. It is in this area that the best effect of the active substance will be ensured. You can also put on second socks over regular socks, this will significantly enhance the effect of mustard. In some cases, in recipes you can find such advice as adding a little sugar or vegetable oil to the main substance. But you shouldn’t do this, since you won’t get anything other than burns in the end.

Attention! It is best to use these home remedies in combination with traditional ones. This allows for faster recovery. If you experience discomfort when using any of them, you should immediately stop treatment and, if necessary, consult a therapist.

Video - Taking medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding

You should not self-medicate during this period, as you can harm the child by causing developmental pathologies even after birth. Many active substances easily penetrate through breast milk into the baby's body. Also, due to the special sensitivity during lactation, even seemingly safe medications can cause side effects in the form of allergic reactions and kidney problems, which is especially dangerous for a young mother. Only with the correct selection of medications can the patient quickly get back on her feet without harming the unborn baby.

Sneezing, coughing, usually people are horrified at the thought that they could harm their baby. How not to infect the baby, whether it is possible, how to treat it - the main questions that concern mothers in this situation. ​

During seasonal epidemics, pregnant women should be especially careful, since their susceptibility to acute respiratory infections is especially high due to the fact that milk production requires a lot of energy from the body. But if infection does occur, and signs of the disease are already present, then the mother should wear a gauze bandage at home and change it every 2 hours.

However, we should not forget that a person gets sick much earlier than the first signs appear. Since during the incubation period (from 1 to 3 days) the already ill mother was in constant contact with the baby and then it makes no sense to interrupt this connection.

Is it possible to breastfeed a baby if the mother has a cold?

So, a mother with a cold can continue to breastfeed, since acute respiratory diseases are not among the contraindications. It happens that some babies do not want to suckle milk, especially if the mother has a high fever. This may be due to the temperature of the breast milk being higher than normal. If this is the case, then children will be happy to drink it expressed from a bottle.

Preserving breast milk for your baby is very important, since the best nutrition for him has not yet been invented. In addition, antibodies produced by the mother's body pass to the baby through breast milk, helping him gain additional strength to fight this disease.

Usually the course of this disease is not severe and lasts from 3 to 10 days. But in order to avoid possible complications, it is better to start treatment at the first signs.

How to treat a nursing mother

Antiviral drugs such as Ribavirin, Remantadine and Arbidol are effective only in the first hours of the disease or as a preventive measure. But their use by the mother can cause side effects in the child in the form of abdominal pain, loose stools, allergic rash and increased excitability. When using Immunal, allergic reactions in the baby are also possible. Therefore, the listed drugs should not be used.

When treating acute respiratory infections or preventing colds, you can instill Grippferon into the nose, which contains interferon produced in the human body and increases its resistance to viruses. Viferon suppositories can also be used in the treatment of a nursing woman without harm to her baby.

Since antibiotics are not used in the treatment of viral diseases, due to their uselessness, treatment consists of symptomatic therapy, reducing intoxication and increasing the patient’s body’s resistance. But there are times when the attending physician may suspect the development of a bacterial complication (sore throat or pneumonia). Then there may be a need to use an antibiotic combined with breastfeeding. If the doctor is forced to prescribe an antibiotic that is not compatible with breastfeeding, then the woman will have to stop feeding the baby and express and discard breast milk during her treatment.

Drinking plenty of warm fluids throughout the entire period of illness is very important, as it prevents the mucous membranes of the nose and throat from drying out, promotes sweating, thins sputum and reduces intoxication in the body.

You should not take antipyretic drugs at your own discretion. After all, an increase in temperature is a manifestation of the patient’s body’s defense mechanism. You can lower the temperature only when the thermometer marks 38.5 degrees or higher.

The safest antipyretic drug is Paracetamol. Theraflu, Coldrex, Fervex should not be used for this purpose, due to the fact that their effect on a certain group of people has not yet been studied.

To treat cough, Ambroxol and Lazolvan can be used as expectorants and sputum thinners. Herbal preparations based on anise, licorice root, thyme, ivy, thyme, and plantain will also help. Can also be used

Most often, and usually unexpectedly, a common cold awaits a nursing woman. It’s better not to be afraid of her, so as not to inadvertently attract her to your own peril. It is much preferable to treat it as a workout for your immune system. And certainty will help overcome fear: knowing the enemy by sight and timely use of the right “weapons.” Next, we will consider step by step, with hepatitis B, starting with the definition and symptoms of this seasonal trouble.

What is a cold?

A cold is a disease caused by hypothermia, as a result of which immunity is reduced and chronic infections that were already in the body of a person who has a cold are exacerbated. These infections stem from opportunistic flora that can become active under certain conditions. A cold is not contagious, but against the background of a weakened immune system, a virus can easily attach itself, transferring the illness to the stage of an acute illness. Then we are talking about medical terms: acute respiratory viral infections, influenza, acute respiratory infections.

ARVI is the most common seasonal disease, the causative agents of which are a variety of viruses that cause inflammation of the upper respiratory tract. This disease is contagious and occurs in an acute form.

Influenza is a type of viral infection. When the course of the disease is complicated, when the infection can no longer be saved, it can spread to the ears and eyes, leading to the appearance of otitis media or conjunctivitis of varying degrees of complexity.

A viral infection can be joined by a bacterial one, or it can appear initially against the background of a cold. If it is not possible to accurately diagnose the disease, then doctors talk about acute respiratory infections.

Nursing mothers do not think about what kind of illness took them by surprise, calling it the understandable word “cold.” During breastfeeding, they only worry about the safety of their baby and a speedy recovery. Therefore, we will consider all the options for seasonal diseases.

Symptoms of colds

The presence of certain symptoms that worsen general well-being makes it impossible to mistake: the body has caught a cold. These symptoms include:

• runny nose in the form of nasal discharge ranging from clear (the onset of the disease) to thick, hard-to-separate green discharge (the addition of a bacterial infection);
• increased body temperature;
• sore throat;
• cough, both dry and wet;
• sneezing.

The quality of life noticeably deteriorates even for an ordinary person, let alone a young mother, on whose health and well-being the well-being of the baby and the whole family depends. Therefore, it is important to know how a nursing mother can treat a cold, protect her baby and quickly restore her performance.

How to treat a common cold

Young mothers often have to walk with their baby in all weather conditions, and while the baby is sleeping in the stroller, wrapped up warmly, the mother has to cut circles. Clothing does not always match the weather, so it is very easy to freeze. In order not to have to wonder about breastfeeding, it is better to take preventive measures. Immediately upon arriving home, change into warm clothes, wash your hands with hot water, steam your feet at a water temperature of 40-50°C, drink hot tea with honey. Afterwards you will need to look at cold symptoms and treat the disease symptomatically.

How to treat viral infections, including influenza

If a viral component is superimposed on ordinary hypothermia and the associated weakening of the immune system, then we can say that a “viral” cold has appeared in a nursing mother. In this case, Komarovsky advises to do without pharmacological intervention, adhering to a clear algorithm of actions:

1. Eating food only according to appetite.
2. Drink plenty of fluids.
3. Bed rest.
4. Frequent ventilation of the room.
5. Air humidification.
6. Irrigation of mucous membranes with saline or physiological solutions.
7. To protect the child from direct contact with the virus, you should wear a mask when interacting with the baby.

It turns out that it is possible for breastfeeding people with a cold, and is also available to ordinary people. This algorithm is universal; it helps to cope with viruses without drugs. The body simply needs time to produce the appropriate antibodies.

How to treat bacterial infections

Based on a number of signs, it can be judged that the cold is bacterial or complicated viral with the addition of a secondary bacterial infection. In this case, mandatory antibiotic intervention is required. Signs of a bacterial infection:

• the disease does not go away within a week, the patient’s condition worsens;
• high temperature over 38°C;
• abscesses of various locations;
• nasal discharge and sputum have a viscous consistency, ranging in color from yellow-green to reddish;
• inflammation of the lymph nodes and acute pain in the area where the bacteria are located.

How can a nursing mother treat a bacterial cold? This requires the mandatory intervention of antibiotics, so it is better to follow preventive measures such as frequent hand washing, cooking raw meat thoroughly, avoiding contact with sick people, etc.

Acceptable medicinal products

To the frequently asked question “how can a nursing mother treat a cold,” Komarovsky, as the most popular children’s doctor in the post-Soviet space, always answers ironically: there is no magic pill. There are always side effects, and individual intolerance to the components has not been canceled.

The doctor’s advice is simple: be patient as long as you can, and when you can’t stand it any longer, go to a therapist. The point is that a common cold can hide various ailments that require appropriate treatment. For example, viral infections, in fact, cannot be treated; all therapy is aimed at activating the body’s immune cells and systematically washing out the virus through the virus. But the addition of a bacterial infection will most likely require the use of an antibiotic, which in no case should be “prescribed” to yourself.

For information, we note what medications a nursing mother can take for a cold. But before using them, you should still consult your doctor:

• Antiviral drugs: Aflubin, Oscillococcinum.
• Antispasmodic agent: "No-spa".
• Antipyretic (over 39°C, if folk remedies do not help): children's syrups "Nurofen", "Panadol".
• Vasoconstrictors and cold remedies: “Aquamaris” and analogues, “Quix”.
• For sore throat for resorption: "Lizobakt".
• For gargling: "Chlorhexidine", "Iodinol", "Miramistin".
• For cough: "Gedelix".

The wisdom of the people will tell you how a nursing mother can treat a cold, how to activate the body’s strength and smooth out some symptomatic manifestations of the disease, improving the general condition of the sick person. So, relieve pain in throat possible:

• curd compress;
• rinsing with fresh beet juice and vinegar;
• warm milk with butter and honey.

Reduce elevated body temperature will help:

• tea with raspberry jam;
• wiping the body with a solution of vinegar 9% (1 tbsp per half liter of water),
• a mixture of grated onions, apples and honey in equal proportions (before meals, 1 tablespoon 3 times a day);
• grapefruit, a couple of oranges or lemon as sources of vitamin C.

Buy abundant highlightednosebleed you can use:

• instilling aloe juice into the nose, mixed with a dissolved mummy tablet and a drop of honey;
• or a mixture of onion and garlic juice with honey in a ratio of 1:3;
• lubricating the nasal passages with lemon juice;
• plates with freshly chopped onions.

Relieve cough The following recipes will help:

• A hole is made in the radish, honey is placed in it, it is infused for half a day, then 1 tsp is consumed. up to three times a day;
• breathe over boiled potatoes.

Before active use, any folk remedy should first be checked for an allergic reaction for the mother and her baby.

When should you not breastfeed?

Breastfeeding consultants unanimously call for breastfeeding, despite the mother’s poor health and illness. An adult’s body quickly adapts to the disease and begins to produce antibodies, passing them on to the baby through breast milk. Thus, the mother is both the cause of the disease and its cure. It is known that the immunity received from the mother in a child completely disappears after six months, even if fed only with breast milk, and its own is developed only under the influence of diseases by the age of three. It turns out that a cold during breastfeeding is an excellent way to train the immune system of a toddler.

However, if the mother’s seasonal illness does not go away within a week, develops complications and requires the intervention of antibiotics, then breastfeeding should be suspended. It is believed that the therapist can select the antibiotics allowed for breastfeeding and calculate the time between taking the medicine and breastfeeding, but getting the antibiotic into the milk is unlikely to be avoided.

Why are antibiotics dangerous for babies?

Even approved drugs in small quantities can lead to a deterioration in the baby’s condition, causing:

• allergic reaction;
• digestive disorders;
• development of thrush;
• decreased child immunity;
• imbalance in the absorption of vitamins and microelements.

Therefore, breastfeeding should be suspended while taking antibiotics. In order to successfully resume this process later, the mother needs to express milk in a timely manner and feed the baby with a spoon or from a bottle with a small hole in the nipple.

Prevention of seasonal diseases

It is always easier to avoid a disease than to cure it, so it is important to pay attention to preventive measures, which include:

• avoidance of crowded places, especially communication with sick people;
• frequent hand washing;
• washing the mucous membranes of the nose and throat with saline solutions;
• ventilation of the room to maintain cool and fresh air;
• air humidification;
• timely vaccination.

It’s even better to prepare for cold season in advance. This is precisely why we have been given a summer, rich in air and sunbathing, vitamins in the garden, forest, river and sea hardening. Six months to accumulate and strengthen immunity, in order to test it in the second six months.

And now, answering the question of how a nursing mother can treat a cold, let’s say simply: do not be afraid of the disease, follow preventive measures, and in case of illness, activate the body’s defenses, following a simple algorithm. Then any cold will be defeated, and the baby will receive his healing portion of protection with his mother’s favorite milk.