How to treat while breastfeeding?
The health of the baby depends on the quality of mother's milk .
Therefore, the issue of treating maternal diseases must be approached responsibly, taking into account the effect of all the means that are used in the fight against the disease. Treatment for a nursing mother should be agreed with a doctor. You cannot self-medicate and make the disease worse.
Not all medications are applicable during lactation.
Many of them contain chemical compounds that can cause various skin or respiratory reactions in a child.
However, a woman should not give up breastfeeding; she must choose products that will not harm the baby . Both medications and traditional methods of treatment can be used.
Lactation specialists and pediatricians advise not to stop breastfeeding if the mother has a cold, since it is mother’s milk that provides the necessary immune protection for the baby, but they warn that during lactation, any disease can be treated only with medications that do not penetrate into the mother’s milk. milk and cannot cause any harm to the baby.
Pharmacy drugs
Drug treatment includes the use of numerous drugs . Let's look at some of them:
Hexoral
Antiseptic with antibacterial and antifungal effects. Suppresses oxidative reactions of bacterial metabolism. Available in the form of an aerosol or solution for topical use, as well as lozenges.
The main active ingredient is the chemical compound Hexetidine. Hexoral is almost not absorbed into the bloodstream .
The instructions for its use do not contain contraindications for nursing mothers, but some doctors consider it unsafe for the child. The risk of allergic reactions cannot be excluded.
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Kameton
Contains essential oils of eucalyptus, mint and camphor, as well as chlorobutanol. This is an aerosol. Has a local anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effect.
Cameton is indicated for laryngitis, pharyngitis, tonsillitis . There are no contraindications for use during breastfeeding.
It may, like Hexoral, cause allergic reactions in a child. Its use should be based on the recommendations of a doctor.
Lysobacter
This medicine contains only natural ingredients: lysozyme, obtained from chicken egg whites, and pyridoxine, a B vitamin. It not only has an antiseptic effect, but also improves metabolic processes in the body and increases immunity.
Lizobakt has no contraindications during pregnancy and breastfeeding . Side effects can occur with an overdose or improper use of the drug.
Available in tablets.
Lugol
In pharmacies you can find spray and Lugol solution . The main active agent, iodine, suppresses pathogens, enhances local metabolic processes, and takes part in the production of thyroid hormones.
Once in the stomach, it is completely absorbed into the blood. Iodine can accumulate in the body, which can lead to problems with the thyroid gland. If consumed for a long time by a nursing mother, iodine can cause problems in the child’s body. Therefore, the treatment period should be no more than 4 days.
To reduce the concentration of the drug as much as possible, you should use Lugol immediately after feeding and try to swallow it less .
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Miramistin
Kills germs and bacteria, regenerates damaged tissues and mucous membranes, and helps improve local immunity.
Since miramistin is practically not absorbed into the blood, its use in the treatment of throat diseases during breastfeeding is not contraindicated. The throat is treated with a spray or solution 3-5 times a day.
Strepsils
Available in the form of lozenges and spray. Strepsils contains the anesthetic substance lidocaine .
It is not prohibited during breastfeeding, but it must be used strictly according to the instructions and individual recommendations of a doctor.
Contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the drug. The spray is not recommended for use in bronchial asthma.
Tantum Verde
Used in combination with other medications. It has a local anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. Tantum Verde is prescribed in strict dosages during breastfeeding .
Benzidamine, which is the main active ingredient of the drug, has the ability to be rapidly absorbed. Excreted by the intestines and kidneys.
Faringosept
It contains ambazone, a substance safe for lactation. Providing a local antiseptic effect, Faringosept tablets are not absorbed into the blood and, therefore, do not pass into breast milk during feeding.
It is a local antiseptic with very high activity against pathogenic microorganisms that often cause infections of the upper respiratory tract and oral cavity: streptococci, staphylococci, pneumococci.
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It has a strong bacteriostatic effect on pneumococci and streptococci, as well as moderate antistaphylococcal properties.
Furacilin
Furacilin is available in the form of powder and tablets for solution . For throat diseases, use it as a gargle. The active component is nitrofural. Destroys gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms that provoke a purulent inflammatory process.
Lactating and pregnant women can safely use an aqueous solution of furatsilin; alcohol solutions must be treated with caution due to the ethanol content. When using any medicine for a sore throat during breastfeeding, you need to carefully monitor the child’s reaction.
Folk remedies
Let's look at the most effective and frequently used remedies for getting rid of a sore throat.
Rinse
Rinse acts directly on microorganisms in the oropharynx area . The first remedy for a sore throat is a solution prepared from salt and soda (one teaspoon of each component) with the addition of a few drops of iodine, which are dissolved in a glass of boiled water. Caution in using iodine for a nursing mother was discussed earlier.
Medicinal herbs are also used for rinsing: chamomile, mint, lemon balm, thyme, licorice, coltsfoot, calendula, sage, eucalyptus.
For example, you can take one tablespoon of the last three ingredients, pour them with 0.5 liters of water and boil for 10-15 minutes. Gargle with a warm solution as often as possible: 10-12 times a day.
Inhalations
It is convenient to carry out the procedures with an inhaler or nebulizer - devices that spray small doses of a medicinal substance. You can use decoctions of the same herbs that are used for rinsing.
Often, essential oils of plants are used for these purposes, a few drops of which are diluted in warm water. An effective and time-tested inhalation is inhaling the vapors of boiled potatoes.
Compresses
They provide local warming of the throat, enhance regeneration processes and improve tissue metabolism, which speeds up recovery. There are wet and dry compresses.
Compresses are mainly made using alcohol and vodka . However, it is better not to use alcohol lotions for women with infants. In these cases, dry compresses are used. Applying a cabbage leaf with honey to the neck, a compress of flour, honey and mustard powder, laundry soap, and cottage cheese are suitable. The latter can reduce swelling and pain. A cake is made from the curdled mass, which is applied to the throat for 3-4 hours, and the neck is wrapped in a warm scarf.
Features of treatment during lactation
Medicines used to treat a nursing woman may affect lactation.
If diuretics are present in decoctions and infusions, they remove excess fluid from the body, thereby reducing lactation. These include mint, lemon balm, sage and other herbs.
The amount of milk can also decrease due to poor health of the nursing mother . Therefore, during illness it is necessary to remain calm and urgently take measures for a speedy recovery.
To remove toxins from sore throat and other throat diseases, it is recommended to drink a lot of water.
As a result of drinking large amounts of fluid, lactation will increase.
Lactation will be enhanced by plants such as fennel and green tea , which are also used to treat diseases of the pharynx and larynx. It is very important to remember that even traditional folk remedies are not always suitable for treating diseases of a nursing mother.
How to avoid infecting your baby with a sore throat
If a nursing mother has a sore throat, there is a high risk that the baby may contract an infection. To avoid infecting the baby, a woman needs to follow simple rules:
· Be sure to feed your baby breast milk, as it contains immunoglobulins that help protect against diseases.
·Be sure to wash your hands with soap before feeding.
· During feeding, use a four-layer gauze bandage. After each use it must be replaced with a clean one.
· Ventilate the room frequently, regardless of the weather and time of year. While the child is being ventilated, take him to another room.
· Do regular wet cleaning of the premises.
· To reduce the possible risk of infection for your baby, make garlic beads. Peel the garlic, divide into cloves and thread on a thread. Place the beads near the baby's crib. Or you can place an onion cut into pieces in the room. Onions and garlic are natural phytoncides that help prevent the spread of viruses.
· To stimulate the immune system, the pediatrician may recommend dripping Gipferon or Interferon into the nose.
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It is better to avoid using aspirin during breastfeeding
When prescribing therapeutic therapy during breastfeeding, one should take into account not only the possibility of using certain medications, but also possible contraindications for infants. Any medication, the annotation to which states that its use during lactation is prohibited, should be excluded from the woman’s treatment or the possibility of temporarily stopping breastfeeding should be considered.
To treat a throat and accompanying symptoms, you should not use:
- aspirin and its analogues;
- antibiotics;
- folk remedies containing components intolerable to the child;
- remantadine;
- bromhexine;
- grammidin.
Treatment
It is better if a doctor prescribes treatment for a throat during breastfeeding. After examining the mucous membrane, the therapist can guess what is causing the symptoms. With pharyngitis of viral origin, the body fights the pathogen on its own with the help of antibodies. Colds require simple treatments. Folk remedies, rinsing, and treatment with local antiseptic and anesthetic solutions help.
If the disease is bacterial or fungal in nature, more serious therapy is required. In this case, the doctor will prescribe approved antibiotics and antifungals to treat the nursing mother's throat.
You must inform your doctor about lactation. Most traditional cold medicines are prohibited. During breastfeeding, you can only take approved medications for sore throat (read about them below) or use safe folk recipes.
When are antibiotics needed?
Antibiotics for the throat during lactation are prescribed if the disease is caused by a bacterial infection. The drugs are prescribed by a doctor in individual dosages. Sore throat is often caused by streptococcus, which is more dangerous for a woman than refusing to take antibiotics.
The most effective treatment for tonsillitis is amoxicillin with clavulanic acid. Amoxiclav and Augmentin are prescribed for breastfeeding. If a nursing mother is intolerant to penicillin antibiotics, macrolides and cephalosporins are used.
Safe drugs:
- Sumamed;
- Rovamycin;
- Flemoxin;
- Cefazolin;
- Cephalexin;
- Suprax.
Sprays and aerosols
Sprays for sore throat give different effects: analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic. Many drugs have a complex effect. Topical medications work on the mucosa and are usually not absorbed into the bloodstream. Such drugs are considered safe because they do not pass into breast milk and do not enter the baby’s body.
- Miramistin in the throat during breastfeeding is prescribed for sore throat, pharyngitis, laryngitis and other diseases. The drug is an antiseptic that is effective against viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
- Hexoral has an antiseptic effect and accelerates the process of restoration of damaged cells. The spray anesthetizes and relieves swelling of the mucous membrane.
- Tantum Verde has a complex effect. The spray relieves pain, eliminates inflammation, and fights pathogens.
- Aqua Maris cleanses the throat mucosa and accelerates healing. The drug contains sea water. The spray can be used without fear during lactation.
- Bioparox is a local antibiotic. The drug is safe for women and children, but has been discontinued. If you still have Bioparox in your medicine cabinet, your doctor may recommend it.
During lactation, the doctor prescribes Ingalipt, Cameton, Lugol. These aerosols do their job well, but are prohibited for independent use. They contain several active components. This increases the risk of an allergic reaction. If possible, you should prefer single-component medications.
Tablets and lozenges
Lollipops and lozenges for sore throat help temporarily cope with sore throat. During lactation, doctors prescribe Lyzobact - lozenges. The drug has an antiseptic effect and is considered safe for mother and baby.
Effective remedies for pain and inflammation in the throat are lozenges: Strepsils, Septolete, Stopangin, Faringosept. However, modern doctors are skeptical about their use.
The drugs contain several components that can cause allergies. Some candies contain sweeteners and colorings.
Rinse
Regular gargling cleanses the mucous membrane and eliminates pathogenic microorganisms. To heal damaged cells, it is recommended to rinse the throat and tonsils with water with the addition of soda and salt. The disadvantage of such gargles is that they dry out the throat.
- Chlorhexidine effectively copes with bacterial infections. The drug has an antiseptic effect.
- Doctors recommend gargling with Furacilin. The tablet must be dissolved in 100 ml of warm water. Furacilin is contraindicated during lactation if the mother has hypersensitivity to the active substance.
Traditional methods
If a nursing mother has a sore throat, you can use unconventional remedies. During lactation, care must be taken, since even harmless home treatment can provoke dangerous consequences. Honey should not be used, as it is a strong allergen. Fruit drinks made from viburnum and lingonberries also remain prohibited, despite their effectiveness. In rare cases, lemon causes allergies in a child, and garlic affects the taste of milk.
Herbs for sore throat are only allowed for gargling. Chamomile, calendula, sage, and St. John's wort are used to prepare decoctions. It must be remembered that herbal remedies are allergens and can cause a reaction in a child. Therefore, you should not drink herbal infusions on your own. There will be no harm from rinsing.
To feed or not to feed
A sore throat is not a contraindication to breastfeeding. It is you who, through breast milk, supply your baby with the necessary antibodies and amino acids necessary for his immunity. Until one year of age, the child’s immune status is imperfect, so feeding continues at the usual rhythm.
If your condition worsens and you need to use medications that are contraindicated during feeding, in such cases you can transfer the baby to donor milk or use frozen own milk; if the previous options are not available, you can use artificial formula for the duration of treatment.
