Drugs and methods for treating colds while breastfeeding. How to treat ARVI while breastfeeding: traditional and non-traditional methods of therapy and prevention How to treat the virus while breastfeeding

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 profuse 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 transfer the child 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 doing this, you should 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 has already become infected. This is a necessity, since having lost his mother’s milk, the baby needs a natural increase in the immune forces of his 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.

It's no secret that with the arrival of a baby we forget about most of our own needs. All thoughts, all actions are focused around the long-awaited baby! But nature is treacherous. A woman's immunity decreases during pregnancy and breastfeeding. All nutrients go to feeding the child, leaving the woman with only the essentials. As a conscious mother, I made the decision to breastfeed as long as there was enough milk. I followed a diet for nursing mothers, drank a lot of fluids and herbal remedies that stimulate milk secretion, but completely forgot about my health and protection from colds. And then, after my feet froze during my daily walk, I got sick. “ARVI,” the doctor pronounced the verdict. The first question that came to my mind was “Is it possible to breastfeed during ARVI?”

Is it possible to breastfeed during ARVI?

The doctors’ answer in this situation is unequivocal - breastfeeding during ARVI is not only possible, but also necessary.

The fact is that viruses that cause respiratory infections are transmitted by airborne droplets. A mother can infect her baby by sneezing, coughing, kissing - any contact that could allow fluids from the mother’s mucous membranes to enter the baby’s respiratory tract. Only viral particles are released with milk, which cannot infect the baby, but have a stimulating effect on his immune system. In addition, mother's milk contains ready-made antibodies - a kind of vaccine against infection. Do not stop lactation, even if the baby is already infected and sick. With mother's milk, the child receives a natural cure for ARVI.

Is it possible to breastfeed during ARVI if the mother is taking medication?

Due to weakened immunity in nursing mothers, acute respiratory viral infections often cause complications. Most doctors prescribe medications if folk remedies and plenty of fluids have not been used to stabilize the condition by the 3rd day of illness.

Here are medications that can be used to treat ARVI and breastfeed at the same time:

Gargles (Furacillin, Chlorhexidine), lozenges (Lizobakt, Imudon), sprays (Inhalipt, Kameton, Miramistin). With caution due to the presence of dyes and aromatic substances - Faringosept, Strepsils, Grammidin, Septolete.

Nasal drops based on xylometazoline, naphazoline, oxymetazoline, tetrizoline, etc. (Xymelin, Otrivin, Nazivin, Afrin, etc.) are practically not absorbed, so a nursing mother can use them for ARVI and at the same time continue to breastfeed.

Herbal cough remedies and products that facilitate sputum production (ACC, Ambroxol, Bromhexine) are not prohibited during lactation. Codeine-containing drugs - with caution.

Paracetamol is allowed during lactation.

Most antibiotics (except tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolones) can be taken by nursing mothers. There is no point in expressing before taking the next pill.

How to make sure that the baby does not become infected with ARVI from the mother?

So, we found out whether it is possible to breastfeed during ARVI. Yes, you can and should feed, this is the first means of preventing infection of the baby.

Other preventive measures are aimed at preventing the spread of infection through the air. It is important that the mother wears a mask during feeding and any contact with the baby. The mask is changed at least once every 2 hours. If there is someone to care for the child, then the sick mother is isolated in a separate room and approaches the baby only during feeding. It is necessary to frequently ventilate the room, carry out wet cleaning, and wash your hands with soap. The air humidity in the room should be at least 60%. This provides natural moisture to the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract. If prescribed by a doctor, you can use Grippferon drops or Viferon suppositories.

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.

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

Treatment of colds is not difficult, unless we talk about women feeding their children with breast milk. Lactation is a unique and difficult process. Treatment of acute respiratory viral infections during this period consists of correctly choosing alternative and pharmaceutical drugs that do not have a negative effect on the baby. In this article we will study how to treat ARVI while breastfeeding.

All mothers experience increased pressure on their lungs due to lactation. Therefore, women are vulnerable to airborne infections. ARVI is not considered a dangerous disease, but the disease can harm a baby.

The course of the disease in breastfeeding mothers can be divided into 3 periods:

  1. The penetration of the virus into the body or the incubation period, which can last about two days. Afterwards a fever appears, a runny nose, and the throat tissue becomes inflamed.
  2. The body's response. This period begins 3 days after the first signs of the disease appear. The production of interferons that resist infection is activated.
  3. Recovery. Comes individually. Usually the stage begins 6-9 days from the onset of the disease. If the symptoms do not disappear, then the development of complications is possible.

If symptoms of the disease occur, a nursing woman should immediately visit a doctor.

Risk of infection for breastfeeding mothers

ARVI is a disease in which adenoviruses or pathogens enter the body. The nasal mucosa begins to swell, becomes inflamed, there is fever and deterioration in health. The woman feels bad.

Taking synthetic and herbal drugs can speed up the healing process. But this is not enough to avoid infecting a child.

Attention! If a mother who is breastfeeding is infected with the virus, then there is a risk of infecting the baby. It is necessary to protect the child from infection by any means.

Baby protection

How to treat acute respiratory infections while breastfeeding and how to prevent the virus from infecting the baby - questions that an experienced doctor can answer. The first is compliance with simple conditions:

  1. Do not interrupt feeding. This is necessary because immunoglobulins, which are responsible for the formation of immunity in the baby, are supplied to the baby with milk. These same components prevent viruses from infecting babies.
  2. Hand washing. Viruses do not only spread through airborne droplets. Microparticles from mucous membranes can get onto the palms through sanitary napkins.
  3. Wear a protective mask. A nursing mother, if she is sick, should wear a gauze or cellulose face covering to minimize the amount of virus that enters the space.
Important! To reduce the risk of a child's illness, the mother should ask loved ones for help in caring for the child. This way she will have less contact with him.

Following simple rules will protect the baby and maintain lactation. The main thing is not to self-medicate, but to seek help from specialists.

Is it possible to feed a baby breast milk if the mother is sick?

Mother's milk represents the most powerful medicine of all for the baby. There are some rules for how a sick nursing woman should behave:

  1. You cannot express milk. It loses its valuable qualities. The baby should be fed under normal conditions.
  2. You cannot boil milk - it loses nutrients and healing qualities.

Together with nutrition from the mother, the baby receives antibodies, which enable the little person to overcome the cold.

Methods of therapy for lactation

The treatment method for ARVI during breastfeeding in women should be selected by the doctor individually. To speed up the recovery process, a sick mother should adhere to the following recommendations:

  1. Maintaining bed rest. A calm environment and rest are prerequisites for a speedy recovery, regardless of how severe the disease is.
  2. Drinking enough water. Drinking plenty of fluids helps to naturally cleanse the body. By following this simple rule, you can effectively combat fever. It is preferable to drink hot tea, decoctions of fruits or berries, which contain a lot of vitamin C.
  3. Proper diet. During illness, appetite often disappears. Therefore, you need to eat when you want - there is no need to force yourself. You can eat light foods, such as chicken broth.

If the disease progresses, the woman’s condition worsens, medications are prescribed, including antibiotics.

Medicines for nursing mothers

Compliance with the above rules will help you quickly cope with the disease. It is sometimes impossible to cure ARVI without taking medications. Below are pharmaceutical options that can help you achieve a speedy recovery.

Antiviral agents

Today there is a wide variety available that can be purchased in regular pharmacies. The assortment puts a person in a difficult situation - which drug to choose. It is impossible to treat ARVI in a nursing mother using Arbidol, Remantadine and Ribavirin due to the likelihood of disturbances in the development of the child.

The use of "Anaferon" and "Aflubin" does not give a positive effect - such drugs belong to the group of homeopathic drugs.

The best option would be products with alpha interferon - “Viferon” and “Grippferon”. The dosage and frequency of administration are determined by the attending physician.

Antipyretics

Medicines to reduce fever should only be used if the thermometer reading exceeds 38 degrees. During lactation, you should drink antipyretics containing paracetamol as the active ingredient.

Remedies for sore throat

Inflammation of oral tissues should be treated with agents intended for local action. The most harmless method is solutions used for rinsing and containing antiseptic components. You can use Chlorhexidine, Hexoral, Iodinol.

Preparing the solution yourself takes a little time. Dissolve a teaspoon of sea and regular salt in a glass of warm water. Three drops of iodine are added to the mixture. A sore throat is treated by gargling three times a day.

Lollipops “Sebidin” or “” will help relieve pain. You can use sprays “Ingalipt”, “Cameton”, “Camphomen”.

Remedies against rhinitis

To treat rhinitis, they resort to drops and sprays that have a vasoconstrictor effect. Drops are considered gentle. For nursing mothers, Sanorin, Noxprey and Naphthyzin are suitable.

Unconventional methods for the treatment of ARVI in nursing mothers

Many mothers are afraid to take medications, even if their doctor has approved their use while breastfeeding. On the one hand, this is correct, since many traditional medicines have side effects and are harmful to the baby. Instead, you can use traditional methods of treating colds.

Among the most popular alternative medicines that can be used to treat viral infections in women during lactation are the following:

  1. Milk with . To prepare the medicine you will need half a liter of warm milk, 1 egg, 1 teaspoon of honey. Everything gets mixed up. Additionally, you can add 1 teaspoon of butter. It's better to drink before bed.
  2. Iodine with garlic. 5 drops of iodine are added to a glass of water. This drink should be drunk with a clove of garlic.
  3. Mustard powder. Powdered mustard is poured into socks, which are worn at night.
  4. Onion. Onions baked in the oven are eaten to speed up recovery.
  5. Radish with sugar. You can bake radish in the oven for 2 hours, pre-cut into small pieces and sprinkled with sugar. The resulting mass must be filtered. Drink juice 1 tbsp. spoon 5 times a day.
  6. Honey-garlic inhalation. You can make inhalations of garlic and honey. You need to breathe this composition for about a quarter of an hour. After the procedure, you can drink tea with raspberries.

On a note! Inhalations can also be made from chamomile, thyme, eucalyptus leaves, birch, and boiled potatoes in their jackets.

Drinking plenty of fluids also helps to heal. For this, tea with raspberries, linden, chamomile, honey and lemon is suitable.

Preventive measures

To avoid getting sick, of course, you need to take preventive measures. For nursing mothers, as well as for other people, the first recommendation is healthy sleep. You need to go to bed between 22:00 and 00:00. Sleep duration should be up to 8 hours.

A healthy diet will help protect yourself from viral diseases. In winter, you need to eat more grain porridges, nuts, vegetables, meat products and fish. In the summer, you should eat all the fresh fruits and vegetables you can.

In winter, you need to pay attention to the intake of vitamin C. If you cannot eat oranges, eat berries such as cranberries, lingonberries, currants, sea buckthorn, and rose hips. Even when dried, they retain a large amount of ascorbic acid. There is also a lot of vitamin C in sauerkraut.

Attention! Nursing mothers should not forget about such an important rule as hand hygiene. They must be washed with soap every time before contact with the child.

According to many experts, sick mothers should spend more time in the fresh air, especially in sunny weather, because it is under the influence of ultraviolet radiation that vitamin D3, which is responsible for the immune system, is produced.

In most cases, drug treatment during breastfeeding is acceptable if drugs compatible with feeding are selected. But, of course, you need to be careful, carefully study the instructions for the prescribed medications and monitor the baby’s condition. First of all, you need to inform your doctor about breastfeeding, the age of the child and possible reactions to medications. Based on this, the doctor will select an acceptable method of treatment during lactation. Depending on the situation, treatment for breastfeeding can be either traditional or non-traditional. For example, treatment of colds during lactation can be carried out using physiotherapy, aromatherapy, and homeopathy.

Of course, there are a number of diseases for which breastfeeding is unacceptable. First of all, these are acute mental disorders, severe chronic organ diseases, open forms of tuberculosis, some venereal, autoimmune and oncological diseases.

In some cases, it is possible to delay treatment until breastfeeding stops, but this is only possible after a detailed examination and consultation with a doctor.

If treatment cannot be postponed and it is incompatible with feeding, then two options are considered. With long-term treatment, breastfeeding stops completely, and the child is transferred to artificial feeding so as not to cause a negative reaction. If the treatment is short-term and does not affect the quality of milk later, then the child is transferred to artificial feeding temporarily, or donor milk is used. In this case, the mother needs to maintain lactation during treatment by pumping, and after recovery, continue breastfeeding.

Prescribed medications and tablets during lactation must meet a number of requirements in terms of toxicity levels, effects on organ development, and on the nervous system; the drugs must not cause irreversible changes in the child’s body.

It is worth noting that the effect of many drugs on a child’s health has not been fully studied, therefore such drugs are contraindicated during breastfeeding. In addition, there are contraindicated drugs, the negative effects of which have been proven.

When using drugs compatible with breastfeeding, it is worth remembering that the active substances pass into the milk to one degree or another, and side effects can develop in both the mother and the child. To reduce the risk of adverse reactions, you need to take some precautions:

  • monitor the dosage of the drug; if the child’s condition changes, consult a specialist about discontinuing the drug or reducing the dosage.
  • Taking medications and feeding should be combined so that by the time of the next feeding the concentration of active substances in the mother’s blood is minimal.
  • Long-term use of medications is possible only after consulting a doctor. The time of administration should be chosen so that when feeding, the milk contains the least amount of medication, for example, take medications at night.

Let's look at the features of treatment for the most common colds during lactation.

Colds, coughs and fevers are very common during lactation, since the immunity of a nursing mother is often reduced. The most acceptable means for reducing temperature during lactation are paracetamol and ibuprofen. The use of paracetamol is possible only in normal dosage (3-4 tablets per day), and no more than 2-3 days, as it has an adverse effect on the liver. For coughs, herbal remedies are recommended. Bromhexine-based medications should not be used. Treatment of colds while breastfeeding with complex medications is not recommended.

Treatment of the throat while breastfeeding

For sore throat, topical antiseptic drugs are recommended. Rinsing with decoctions of medicinal herbs, a solution of sea or iodized salt will also help. If you suspect a sore throat, consult a specialist.

Treatment of a runny nose while breastfeeding is possible with the help of oil drops or vasoconstrictors, but such medications should not be used for longer than 2-3 days. In this case, you can clear your nasal sinuses with a solution of sea salt, Kalanchoe juice, and honey.

Treatment of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza during breastfeeding

In case of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza, pathogens enter the child's body before signs of illness appear in the mother, therefore, stopping breastfeeding is completely pointless. Moreover, with milk, the child also receives the antibodies necessary to fight the disease, which are produced by the mother’s body. If, when there are signs of infection, the child is abruptly weaned, this will affect his immunity and it will be much more difficult for him to survive the viral disease. Of course, a specialist should prescribe medications, choosing the most suitable ones for breastfeeding.

Treatment with antibiotics during lactation

There are several groups of antibiotics that differ in the level of concentration in milk and the effect on the child’s body. Sulfonamides and tetracyclines are contraindicated when feeding, the side effects of which disrupt the development of the child’s organ systems, lead to toxic damage and can cause bleeding.

The second group, macrolides, is considered not so dangerous, but caution is required when using them. When prescribing antibiotics of this group, the child is prescribed anti-dysbacteriosis medications, but the possibility of developing allergic reactions remains.

Cephalosporins, aminoglycosides and penicillins are considered the most compatible with breastfeeding. But the dosage and duration of administration are determined by only doctor.

If the increase in temperature is not associated with a cold or acute respiratory viral infection, then it is necessary to be examined in order to establish the cause. Antipyretics, even those compatible with breastfeeding, should not be used for a long time. Moreover, temperature may indicate the occurrence of an inflammatory process, which can affect the child’s health.

In any case, treatment during lactation must be agreed with a good specialist; self-medication with medications can negatively affect the health and development of the child.

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Treatment of ARVI during lactation

ARVI, as a rule, is seasonal and is transmitted by airborne droplets. That is why it is impossible to protect yourself from the disease in conditions where almost every third person is sick. Treatment of ARVI during lactation requires special attention, since the correct selection of drugs that will not harm the child’s health is important.

The first thing worth noting is that if a nursing mother has ARVI, breastfeeding should not be stopped. The fact is that even before the first symptoms appear, the pathogens of the disease have already managed to enter the child’s body through mother’s milk. Therefore, stopping breastfeeding means limiting access from the mother’s body to the supply of antibodies that help fight infection.

How to treat ARVI?

Only the attending physician should decide how to lower the temperature of a nursing mother. As a rule, when breastfeeding, the use of viferon, ribovirin or another antiviral drug for nursing is prescribed, the effect of which on the child’s body has been at least somehow studied. In any case, medications must be taken carefully, strictly observing the dosage and carefully monitoring the child’s reaction. Of course, if an allergy occurs, the drug must be replaced with another.

ARVI or acute respiratory infections in a nursing mother is a fairly common occurrence, so do not get upset or panic. In order to reduce the effect of medications on the child, it is necessary to create a correct feeding schedule. Find out after what time the concentration of the drug in the blood is at its highest level - this information can be found in the instructions for the drug or by asking a competent specialist. Feeding times must be selected so that the level of medication in the blood and, accordingly, in breast milk is minimal. This way you will reduce the effect of the drug on the child’s body.

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Colds while breastfeeding: how to cure?

In medical terms, a cold is an acute respiratory disease that occurs when various viruses enter the body. Most of us have not attached much importance to this disease and pathological condition as such for a long time. Moreover, every adult has his own effective methods of combating this disease. But when a young mother who is breastfeeding is faced with this disease, then panic begins. After all, how to cure a disease quickly so that it is not passed on to the baby? And most importantly, what medications to take so as not to harm the child? Find answers to these and other questions in the article.

The symptoms of a cold are familiar to everyone. These are a cough, runny nose, severe sore throat, muscle weakness, general lethargy, and fever.

Is it okay to breastfeed during a cold?

Together with mother's milk, from the first days of life, the child receives strong immune cells that reliably protect the baby's body from the penetration of various viruses and infections. Colds are not transmitted through mother's breast milk. Considering all these factors, you should never stop breastfeeding during a cold. This will only make things worse for your baby.

The reason for stopping (temporary) breastfeeding due to a cold may be taking medications or antibiotics. In this case, young parents need to transfer the baby to artificial feeding. But to prevent milk production from stopping, a woman needs to express it regularly during a cold.

Treatment of colds in a nursing mother

So, the first thing a sick mother needs to do is put on a mask, which normally will need to be changed every 2 hours. Thus, when a woman sneezes, the infection will not spread to the child or household members.

When breastfeeding and having a cold, a woman needs to drink a lot of warm liquid. But, you should not abuse such folk remedies as raspberries, honey, lemon due to the fact that these are very strong allergens. Also, you should not use antibiotics to treat a viral infection - at least this does not make the proper sense. As a result, treatment should be reduced to reducing intoxication and, naturally, increasing the woman’s body’s defenses. If a woman’s condition is extremely serious, then she should consult a doctor to avoid bacterial complications.

As soon as you start to suffer from a cold, you can use a drug called “Grippeferon”, which has no contraindications related to pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding). Also, when treating colds, it is recommended to use Viferon suppositories - a very effective drug.

Despite the popularity of medications such as Coldrex, Fervex, Theraflu and the supposed absence of contraindications during pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is not recommended for young mothers to use them to treat colds.

What to do if you have a fever and sore throat?

At a temperature (above 38.5 degrees Celsius), it is advisable to bring it down with a paracetomol tablet. This is the safest drug for use specifically in nursing mothers. If the temperature is below 38.5 degrees, then there is no need to bring it down with medications. In this situation, the best treatment would be plenty of warm drinks, as well as compresses with a weak vinegar solution. You can wipe your entire body with this solution - there will be no harm.

For severe sore throat, it is recommended to take local anesthetic and anti-inflammatory drugs. These can be drugs such as Strepsils, Iodinol, Hexoral. If you are tormented by a cough, then you should not run and buy the popular Bromhexine. It has a number of contraindications for breastfeeding. It is advisable to replace Bromhexine with herbal preparations, for example Gedelix, Tussamag, Chest Elixir. For a runny nose, doctors recommend drops containing plant extracts. For example, Pinosol is ideal for women during breastfeeding. If you do not have a runny nose as such, but your sinuses are very dry, then you can use sprays based on sea water - Aquamaris, Salin.

Drink plenty of fluids

As mentioned above, as soon as you feel some discomfort characteristic of colds, it is advisable to start drinking large amounts of warm liquid. Warm drinking helps increase the body's resistance to various viruses and bacteria, which have probably already begun to destroy human immunity. In addition, drinking plenty of fluids helps prevent dehydration and also perfectly removes all toxins and bacteria from the body. Of course, women may not be able to stand drinking water alone. During illness, you are also allowed to drink currant, cranberry, lingonberry juice, as well as dried fruit compote and linden tea. Rosehip infusion will also not lead to an allergic reaction. If you are worried about your baby's allergic reaction, then you can continue to drink only boiled water and warm cow's milk, which also increases lactation (promotes the flow of breast milk).

Use of antiviral and antipyretic drugs

If you consult a doctor, most likely he will recommend that you take antiviral drugs such as Aflubin, as well as Oscillococcinum. But it is still undesirable to take them, since these drugs have no indication for use during breastfeeding. If you are bothered by a headache, then during lactation you are allowed to take the drug No-Shpa.

Do not allow high temperatures to occur under any circumstances. Temperatures above 38.5 degrees Celsius can cause breast milk to burn out and result in complete loss. To lower the temperature, you can use Nurofen and Panadol children's syrup.