During the postpartum days, it could get a little too difficult and challenging to juggle the care of a newborn, as well as, to breastfeed them. As if this wasn’t enough if added with coming down with a cold or the flu, especially as new parents could surely take a toll on you, leaving you rather confused and irritated at times.
What must you do then? Can you take Mucinex while breastfeeding?
Mostly, yes! Taking Mucinex is considered to be a safe medication while nursing, however, since not all pregnancies are the same, there are a few side effects that are warned by most doctors.
Then what must you do? In order to understand and know more, read on and learn about this medication alongside various other ways to help aid the cold or flu while breastfeeding.
First Things First, What Is Mucinex?
This medication is an expectorant that is used to help loosen the mucus that would then clear the symptoms of cold and flu, also including body pains, cough, headache, chest congestion, sinus pressure, nasal congestion, and a sore throat.
This over-the-counter medication can be taken in case you are feeling a little under the weather. Also available in various kinds like liquid gel capsules, liquid formula, and tablets. It is a medication that comes in both day and night formulas and also in the products of the children.
While there are some products that only contain guaifenesin there are also others that have other ingredients like the Dextromethorphan HBr and acetaminophen. For obvious reasons, the doses and ingredient amounts differ from product to product, this is why it is important for you to read the label carefully before consuming.
The Question Of The Hour – Is It Safe to Take Mucinex While Breastfeeding?
In general conditions, it is ok for you to take Mucinex while breastfeeding. But before you start with the doses, it is of absolute best to speak to a healthcare provider regarding the doses of the medication and only when of absolute need.
Listed below are the safety precautions that must be taken into consideration:
As mentioned above, the doses must be recommended by the doctor and are mostly safe to take when breastfeeding. Also, it is a must to note that there are only a few medications that pass through the breast milk onto the baby, with no significant harm.
Adding to this, in case either of the medications taken by you falls under Hale’s L1-L3 category, then a baby must have been monitored with no notable short-term effects. Small doses of medications do not go through the bloodstream as strongly to impact the baby.
Having said that, there is not much research done to make sure of the long-term effects, considering the small availability of vulnerable groups. As for some research, it is shown that pseudoephedrine, found in Mucinex D could decrease the supply of milk. This is why in most cases, it is recommended to do away with any form of over-the-counter cough medications.
What then can a parent do to aid their cold or any form of flu? Let’s discuss this below.
Breastfeeding Safe Alternatives: What To Choose Other Than Mucinex?
There are many other natural ways that you can turn towards, instead of reaching out to your medicine cabinet. These can also help you aid your cold and flu, especially in breastfeeding parents.
Try to increase or start your intake of honey, fluids, hot tea – these can help rinse the sinus and also best to recover from any other form of illness.
Most teas come with ingredients like blessed thistle, fenugreek, fennel, and stinging nettle that help increase the production of breast milk too. Not only that, but it also helps you soothe the much irritant sore throat and stay hydrated.
On the other hand, honey is the safest for most parents to consume during pregnancy and lactation helps relieve congestion, all thanks to its natural expectancy.
To Conclude:
Mucinex, in general conditions, is known to be safe to take when nursing a baby. Nevertheless, it must not be taken for an extended period as there could then be a small amount of the medication that could pass down to the baby through the breast milk.
This is why, you would find most doctors encourage taking rest instead of the medication, accompanied with hot liquids with an addition of honey that help rinse the sinus rinses and speed up the recovery.
Adding on, also make it a point to get in touch with your healthcare provider to understand if Mucinex while breastfeeding is a good and safe option for you.
FAQs:
- What is Mucinex?
Mucinex medication is an expectorant that is used to help loosen the mucus that would then clear the symptoms of cold and flu, also including body pains, cough, headache, chest congestion, sinus pressure, nasal congestion, and a sore throat.
- What ingredients does the Mucinex medication include?
Guaifenesin, Dextromethorphan, and Pseudoephedrine are 3 ingredients that are included in the Mucinex medication.
- What are the natural alternatives to use to aid cold and flu, other than Mucinex?
Moisture, honey, tea, peppermint, and liquids are some of the natural alternatives that you could use instead of Mucinex.