| Discomfort | Information | Medication in Pregnancy
Dose per manufacturer's recommendations | Medication in Breastfeeding
Dose per manufacturer's recommendations. |
| For headache, aches, and pains | If no relief, report this to your doctor | Acetaminophen (Example: Tylenol) | Acetaminophen (Example: Tylenol) |
| Colds | Drink plenty of fluids. Rest. Use medications with caution if blood pressure or thyroid problems. Consult physician. Avoid combination products. Buy individual agents and use only what medication you need to treat your symptoms. | Chlorpheniramine,
(Example: Chlortrimeton)
Day time use, Diphenhydramine HCL (Example: Benadryl) Night time use. | Same as pregnancy. |
| Cough | Drink plenty of fluids.
Rest.
Use a cool steamer.
Hard candy for dry throat. | For cough:
Guaifenesin (Example: Robitussin) for more productive cough.
Guaifenesin/Dextromethorphan
(Example: Robitussin DM) to suppress cough. | Same as pregnancy. |
| Sore Throat | Gargle with a warm salt solution.
Use hard candy, may try lozenges if needed. If a sore throat persists call for a throat culture.
Drink plenty of fluids. | Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Lozenges or troches are over the counter products that can be purchased without a prescription. | Same as pregnancy. |
| Flu | Stay home and rest. Treat symptoms as they develop. For vomiting and diarrhea you may take clear liquids (ice chips, 7-up, tea, jello, broth). You may add food gradually after 24-48 hours. (Start with bland foods such as soda crackers) | For diarrhea:
Lopermide
(Example: Immodium)
Attapulgite
(Example: Kaopectate) | Continue to nurse your baby. Kaopectate or Loperamide (Immodium) |
| Constipation | Drink plenty of fluids, add fiber to your diet (fruit, vegetables, bran, wheat bread) | Metamucil, Natural Bran, Docusate (Example: Colace which is stool softener), Milk of Magnesia | Same as pregnancy. |
| Heartburn | Limit or avoid gas-producing or fatty foods, eat 5 or 6 small meals a day, maintain good posture, wait one hour after eating before lying down, raise the head of your bed for sleeping, wait 2 hours after eating before exercising, try chewing gum (spearmint), contact your physician if symptoms continue. | Antacids(Examples: Mylanta, Maalox, Tums, Rolaids, Riopan), Simethicone (Example: Gas-X), Rantidine (Example: Zantac), Famotidine (Example: Pepcid). | Same as pregnancy. |
