Quick help! What can I (nursing mama) take for my runny nose? Is Benedryl OK? m....

[Stacey in MA]

I am a nursing mom (to my 13mo old - not exclusive though - he eats lots of table food, drinks whole milk and juice sometimes too).

I have a dentist appointment for the first time in, well, an embarassingly long time (bad, bad, bad!). I don't want to cancel! But my nose is running like a faucet, and stuffy all the same. I seem to recall that I can take Benedryl. Is that correct? How about other decongestants?

I don't like the idea of "pump and dump" b/c through 4 kids I have NEVER done that - I don't know how! :-p I don't have a pump, and don't know that it would work for me anyway. Though I'm sure it may work for some people, I am not comfortable with trying at last minutes notice.

OK, what do I do?

Thanks!!!!! - Stacey in MA

[Robyn]

Benadryl is ok. Kellymom is a great place for info on medicine for breastfeeding moms.

Cold and Allergy Remedies Compatible with Breastfeeding (http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/cold-remedy.html)

[Raders Fan]

My pediatrician said Benadryl wouldn't pass into my milk, but it would dry up my supply. If you produce plenty of milk, you're probably fine. I struggled to produce every single drop, so Benadryl was not an option in my case.

Jennifer

[Stacey in MA]

I'm going to take a small dose of Benedryl and hope for the best. It will only be one dose, to get me through the appointment. I will continue to suffer the runny nose afterwards w/out treating it.

Gosh, you'd think after all these years, so much nursing and 4 kiddos that I'd know these things! Oh well....

Thanks for your help! - Stacey in Ma

[Carol in Cal.]

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