Is It Safe To Take Sudafed While Breastfeeding?

If you're breastfeeding, you may be wondering what medications you can take to help treat your cold or allergy symptoms. While there are a number of cold and allergy medications that are safe to take while nursing, it's important to check the instructions on the box or bottle before taking anything (via SingleCare). Many medications can be passed on to your child in small doses through your breast milk. SingleCare recommends consulting with your doctor before you take any medications.

With that said, NSAID pain relievers, acetaminophen, and second-generation allergy medications like Zyrtec are generally considered safe to take to help treat your cold or allergy symptoms while breastfeeding. But what about medications like Sudafed? According to WebMD, Sudafed is an over-the-counter medication used to relieve nasal congestion or sinus pain caused by allergies, flu, or the common cold. Sudafed works by narrowing the blood vessels in the nasal passages to help relieve congestion. The general recommendation is to take this medication with or without food every 4 to 6 hours. However, it's important not to exceed more than 4 doses per day.

While Sudafed does pass through your breast milk in small doses, it is still considered safe to take while breastfeeding. According to Healthline, any risks associated with Sudafed are thought to be minimal. However, there are some other factors to consider before taking this medication. For instance, Sudafed may potentially reduce the overall amount of breast milk you produce, in some cases.

Experts also recommend avoiding any Sudafed products that are considered extra or maximum strength. That's because these products are thought to stay in your system longer, which may affect your breastfeeding child. It's also best not to breastfeed within 2 hours of your last dose of Sudafed. This is when you likely have the highest amount of Sudafed in your body, which can be transferred to your child through your breast milk. Although Sudafed is generally safe, nasal drops or sprays may be an even safer option to use while you're still breastfeeding.