having a cold and milk supply

[Anonymous]

does being sick -- i.e. having a nasty cold -- affect milk supply?

[Anonymous]

Only if you take a decongestant. That will decrease your supply. Otherwise, it should have no effect.

[Anonymous]

I had a cold for almost 3 weeks, fever and all, and it didn't affect anything. Just make sure to drink TONS of water. And don't take any decongestant, cough suppresant..

[Anonymous]

OP here.

WHY don't pediatricians tell you this?? I called and they assured me I could take anything over the counter in moderation and all would be fine. Annoying.

I did take something with a decongestant two days ago -- should things be back to normal by now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here.

WHY don't pediatricians tell you this?? I called and they assured me I could take anything over the counter in moderation and all would be fine. Annoying.

I did take something with a decongestant two days ago -- should things be back to normal by now?

I think GPs and peds. must have been exempt from the chapter on BFing in medical school (I made the mistake of going to my GP for mastitis - she had to ask a second doctor to come in because she couldn't figure it out!). Anyway, I hear you loud and clear.

Decongestants dry you up - your mucus membranes, excess fluids, etc. and breast milk is no exception.

The good news: you can make up for it by keeping super hydrated and replenish yourself. Your body needs the extra water anyway to flush out the cold germs, but on top of that, it needs it also to produce milk.

Feel better soon.

[Anonymous]

I was sick too and took decongestants (tylenol cold, which the pediatrician said was fine). They told me to drink LOTs of water. I didn't see too much of a decrease. I also tried to pump a bit more too. But I tried Dayquil (because it only had two types of med, vs. the three in tylenol cold) and for some reason my daughter broke out in a little rash so I immediately stopped. I would take the Tylenol Cold again if I was really sick like I was originally, but am trying to avoid any medications unless I really need it.

[Anonymous]

I pump exclusively and on a regular schedule. I can guess down to the ounce how much I will pump at each session.

The one evening I took cold medicine, I noticed a 5 ounce loss. It was painful (both for my nipples, having to pump that long, and my heart, knowing I wouldn't have enough milk to leave for the nanny.)

I drank a TON of water the next day, and started drinking the Mother's Milk tea at work. I had a record 14 ounces the following morning. So you body will surely adjust. I think the best thing is to take care of yourself, take meds if you need them, and realize that things will return to normal.

I am adding to this thread a little late, and hope you are feeling better OP!