Last update Sept. 7, 2025

Maternal Cold

Compatible

Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.

Common cold is due to viral infection of upper respiratory tract: : more than 200 different viruses can cause these infections. Specific treatment does not exist. It is a self-limited condition that lasts from 2 to 5 days.

Causal viruses are not transmitted through the breast milk. By the time the diagnosis has been made, the infant has already been exposed, and the best management is to continue breastfeeding so that the infant will receive the mother’s antibodies and other host resistance factors in breast milk. (Lawrence 2016 p 224)

Breastfeeding is not contraindicated, instead, stopping nursing would be harmful for the child because it may prevent her or him from taking specific antibodies (immunity) that are produced by the mother.

Isolation of the mother or child is not justified (Cantey 2013, Sendelbach 2012). Thouroughly hand washing is most effective to minimized the risk of transmission.

For symptomatic relief of nursing mothers Ibuprofen, Paracetamol (Acetaminophen), Acetyl-cysteine, Dextromethorphan, Triprolidine, Pseudoephedrine, Mucolytics and Expectorants are compatible with breastfeeding. Antihistaminic-drugs should be taken at lower dose (Amir 2011, Mitchell 1999). Medicine associations should be avoided.


See below the information of these related products:

  • Acetylcysteine (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Dextromethorphan (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Ibuprofen (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Paracetamol (Safe product and/or breastfeeding is the best option.)
  • Pseudoephedrine (Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.)

See below the information of this related group:

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

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José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.
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References

  1. Lawrence RA, Lawrence RM. Breastfeeding. A guide for the medical profession. Eighth Edition. Philadelphia: Elsevier; 2016
  2. Cantey JB, Bascik SL, Heyne NG, Gonzalez JR, Jackson GL, Rogers VL, Sheffield JS, Treviño S, Sendelbach D, Wendel GD, Sánchez PJ. Prevention of mother-to-infant transmission of influenza during the postpartum period. Am J Perinatol. 2013 Abstract
  3. Sendelbach DM, Sanchez PJ. Varicella, influenza: not necessary to separate mother and infant. Pediatrics. 2012 Aug;130(2):e464; author reply 465-6. Abstract
  4. Lanari M, Sogno Valin P, Natale F, Capretti MG, Serra L. Human milk, a concrete risk for infection? J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012 Abstract
  5. Amir LH, Pirotta MV, Raval M. Breastfeeding--evidence based guidelines for the use of medicines. Aust Fam Physician. 2011 Sep;40(9):684-90. Review. Abstract
  6. Mitchell JL. Use of cough and cold preparations during breastfeeding. J Hum Lact. 1999 Abstract

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e-lactancia is a resource recommended by Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine - 2012 of United States of America

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