What cough and cold medicines are okay to take while breastfeeding?
• A: Medications like Ocean Nasal Spray (saline solution) and plain Tylenol (acetaminophen) are considered safe with breastfeeding. However, effects on nursing for many over-the-counter cough and cold medications are either not available or inconclusive. The lack of information in regards to safety is due to the fact that controlled studies are typically not performed on pregnant or lactating women. Many medications travel into breast milk, so when choosing whether to take a cough and cold medication, first look at your symptoms. Choose products that target your specific symptoms so that the baby is not exposed to medications that are not necessary. Next, check with your pharmacist or ob-gyn before taking the medication to determine the safety profile of each drug in the cold remedy.
