How to treat a throat for a nursing mother

A sore throat is one of the most unpleasant symptoms, and it often unsettles you just because of its suddenness. Such sensations take especially by surprise those who cannot fight the ailment with the help of a variety of medications. We are talking about breastfeeding women. Mothers often cannot decide how to treat a sore throat while breastfeeding, because the components of many drugs end up in milk.

Women are ready to endure terrible pain, just not to harm the child, with whom the connection is still very close. But is it worth risking your health, and are there really effective methods? Here it is important to maintain lactation and not let the situation lead to serious problems.

Who is guilty?

Before you look for raspberry jam in the bins or send your loved ones to the pharmacy, you need to understand the cause of the ailment. A sore throat can be caused by:

• regular inhalation of cold and dry air;
• allergic reaction;
• bacterial infection (streptococcal, staphylococcal, hemophilic);
• virus (ARVI, diphtheria, measles, etc.);
• damage to the mucous membrane (thermal or chemical burns);
• injury from foreign bodies (for example, a stuck fish bone).

Sometimes the throat is affected by a fungal disease - candidiasis.

Diagnosing yourself, especially when breastfeeding, is by no means the best option. The risk of worsening the condition is much greater than helping.

Pathological symptoms

It is necessary to see a doctor to determine why a nursing mother has a sore throat. You may need to undergo several tests, the results of which will determine the choice of treatment tactics. Here are the cases when seeking professional medical help for a nursing mother is mandatory:

1. The pain is so severe that it is impossible to swallow.
2. Symptoms include migraine and ear congestion, cough with sputum of a specific color (pink, brown, with blood).
3. Fainting and confusion are observed.
4. Body temperature rises to 38.5 ºC and lasts for several days.
5. A grayish-white coating appears in the mouth, and the back of the throat turns red.
6. The lymph nodes in the neck area become enlarged.
7. A rash, irritation, and spider veins occur.

Prevention

If a nursing mother has a sore throat, the cause should first be determined. Treatment of the throat during breastfeeding should be as safe as possible for the baby and at the same time effective for the mother.

Preventive measures play an important role:

• refusal to attend public events during periods of increasing cases of viral diseases;
• regular ventilation of premises;
• wet cleaning;
• using gauze bandages when communicating with sick people.

Women wonder whether it is possible to breastfeed their baby during treatment. Most often, doctors do not establish prohibitions for guards. The exception is antibiotic therapy. But even in this case, everything is decided on an individual basis.

Main causes of pain

At an appointment with a doctor, a woman who is breastfeeding should describe all the accompanying signs of her illness.

It is from them that the specialist will determine the true cause and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

If you have a sore throat, it's pharyngitis.

Doctors draw this conclusion when fever (up to 38 ºC) and soreness are added to inflammation, dry cough, and hoarseness of voice. The discomfort is especially acute at the back of the throat.

The cause of the disease can be a virus.

Pharyngitis and laryngitis (a distinctive feature is the loss of voice) are treated by local exposure to the mucous membrane.

Tonsillitis

This is the same case when bacteria (usually streptococcal) infect the tonsils - they increase in size and plaque appears. Another symptom is fever, up to 39-40 ºC. This inflammatory process is called tonsillitis (in acute form - sore throat), it is dangerous with complications. You can become infected through airborne droplets or through food and drink.

If action is not taken in time, the disease can become chronic, which leads to disruption of the heart and kidneys.

Treatment of bacterial and fungal infections, even with breastfeeding, is impossible without prescribing an antibiotic. A flora sensitivity analysis will help you choose the right one.

ARVI

When the ARVI pathogen (adenovirus) enters the mother’s body, the following manifestations can be observed:

• cutting pain in the throat;
• swelling of the nasal mucosa;
• weakness, lethargy;
• increase in body temperature.

A dangerous feature of acute respiratory infections is that they may not harm a woman’s health at all, but they pose a serious threat to the baby’s growing body.

If the mother has a persistent temperature above 37 ºC for 3 days, it is necessary to urgently consult a doctor. He will prescribe an individual treatment regimen.

Typically, therapy for acute respiratory viral infections and bacterial infections while breastfeeding consists of anti-inflammatory drugs, remedies for congestion and runny nose, antipyretics and topical medications.

Flu

The disease can be detected by the following signs:

• persistent elevated temperature;
• discomfort in the throat;
• coughing;
• runny nose.

At the first appearance of disturbing symptoms, you should make an appointment with a therapist. But experts do not recommend stopping feeding, since along with breast milk the child receives the substances necessary at the moment for the development of immunity.

Medicines for the treatment of influenza include: antiviral (interferon inducers), antipyretics, vasoconstrictor sprays and nasal drops. It is not prohibited to use traditional medicine when breastfeeding, for example, tea with lemon and raspberries, milk with honey and butter.

Possible causes of throat diseases

When a nursing mother’s throat starts to hurt, the first thought is a cold. But in fact, there are many diseases that cause pain in the larynx, and some of them are not so harmless as to experiment with treatment and solve the problem without the help of specialists. If possible, it is better to seek help from a doctor. But if there is no one to leave the child with, then first of all you need to try to diagnose yourself. Common throat diseases include:

• Sore throat or tonsillitis. This is inflammation and redness of the tonsils, on which plaque of pus can form in the form of capsules and veins. This disease is often accompanied by fever.
• Most often, laryngitis is popularly called “throat disease.” As a rule, it develops after hypothermia and is rarely caused by viruses. Symptoms extend to the throat, vocal cords and epiglottis. May be accompanied by a cough if it descends onto the trachea.
• Characteristic features of pharyngitis are inflammation of the back walls of the throat. Often accompanied by a dry cough, runny nose and fever. The origin may be viral or infectious.
• Mucosal candidiasis is a disease of fungal origin. The main symptoms include itching, blistering, curdled discharge and erosion.

In case of a sore throat, it is better to treat the throat during lactation according to the recommendations of a doctor, who will most likely prescribe a course of antibiotics. As for whether it is possible to breastfeed while taking antibiotics, in this case it is also better to consult with a specialist - it all depends on the drug. In a situation with fungal diseases, laboratory examinations are required, and laryngitis with pharyngitis can often be cured with local treatment. In any case, in addition to establishing the root cause, every nursing mother should know how to treat the throat with local remedies during lactation so as not to harm the child.

Feeding, can't stop

This is the advice most doctors give. This is explained by the fact that during the period of illness, the nutritional elements in breast milk are especially important for the health of the baby. However, there are times when it is better to stop feeding. We are talking about the occurrence of intoxication and fever, for example, with the flu. The decision to stop breastfeeding is made by the doctor.

At home, a woman can take a safety measure - feed, caress and communicate with the child, wearing a gauze bandage. This protects the baby from attacks by viruses and bacteria.

Modern drugs are adapted for use during breastfeeding, and the doctor will select the most effective ones in a particular case.

What happens if you ignore

Every mother cares primarily about the health of her child. However, in this case there is a vital need to think about yourself. If you ignore a sore throat caused by infection or inflammation, you can confidently predict:

• transition of the disease to a chronic form;
• spread of the disease to the ears, nose;
• damage to brain cells (meningitis);
• development of autoimmune pathologies (diabetes mellitus, glomerulonephritis), etc.

It is believed that getting sick during breastfeeding is not as dangerous as during pregnancy. But this is not so, because the disease is transmitted to the baby, whose immunity is not yet ready to fight it.

General recommendations for nursing mothers

When your throat hurts during breastfeeding, treatment follows a certain scheme. It is necessary to pay special attention to it, since the use of certain medications has a negative effect on the child’s health. By passing substances into breast milk, the baby can receive them through food.

In case of illness, nursing mothers should adhere to general recommendations:

1. Don't stop breastfeeding. Soreness in the throat and an increase in temperature cannot be a reason to wean the baby from the breast. There are no changes in breast milk. The greatest danger will come from stopping lactation, because the likelihood of developing lactostasis increases. After 3 days of illness, the female body produces interferon - a natural antiviral agent, and after 5 - antibodies to the disease. Continuing lactation, the mother passes on her immune system to the baby.
2. Maintain good hygiene. When communicating with a child, you should wear a sterile bandage on your face. It will serve as protection against infection in the air. You should wet clean the room more often and keep your hands clean. They contain mucus residues containing viral or bacterial particles. If you are sick, you must use disposable tissues. After use, you should not leave them near your baby's bed.
3. Maintain bed rest. If you are sick, you should provide your body with more rest. After some time, the woman's health will improve. To stay in bed for the required number of days, experts advise helping close relatives. At elevated body temperatures, you can use antipyretic agents allowed for hepatitis B. These include Paracetamol or Ibuprofen. They help lower body temperature, as well as reduce pain in the throat. In addition, Ibuprofen helps reduce inflammation.
4. Natural remedies used at home will help treat a sore throat during lactation This does not require special medical assistance. However, if during the development of the disease a woman experiences an elevated body temperature, calling a doctor at home is mandatory. Seeing a doctor is also necessary if a sore throat persists for more than a week and is not treated with the medications used.

Rules for treating throat

Regardless of drug therapy, the mother must adhere to several rules:

• Continuing to breastfeed will not cause harm to the newborn baby, but otherwise lactostasis may develop.
• Strengthen personal hygiene - you should communicate with your child only in a bandage, wash your hands with soap more often, and use disposable wipes when you have a runny nose.
• Increase your fluid intake—drinking plenty of fluids not only flushes out toxins, but also helps prevent dehydration.
• Maintain a rest regime - in this case, the body will quickly return to normal functioning.
• Avoid crowds of people - especially during periods of epidemics, use gauze or cellulose bandages.

Medication methods

Needless to say, self-prescribing drugs for the treatment of hepatitis B is a dangerous undertaking. An ordinary person does not know all the subtleties and nuances that a doctor would see at an appointment. Do not self-medicate, but entrust your health and that of your baby to professionals.

Traditionally, treatment for throat during lactation includes sprays, lozenges and tablets. Sometimes you can’t do without antibiotics, but they should always be clearly selected for each organism.

Sprays

You can treat your throat with topical remedies. Indications for use:

• tonsillitis;
• laryngitis;
• pharyngitis;
• angina.

The medicine in the form of a spray can be used during breastfeeding. Many people prefer it, since the product does not affect the baby and the feeding process can be continued. Sprays are used for treatment:

• antimicrobial;
• antifungal;
• anti-inflammatory;
• bactericidal.

Among a variety of medications, nursing mothers are recommended to spray:

• Inhalipt - has an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect.
• Hexoral - has antibacterial, antifungal and antimicrobial effects.
• Tantum Verde - relieves inflammation and fever.

Before using sprays, rinse your throat with warm boiled water.

To avoid negative consequences such as skin rashes and irritation, strictly adhere to the prescribed dosage.

Lollipops

Lozenges and lozenges for sore throat are the safest way to relieve the uncomfortable symptom. However, you should not place responsibility for your health only on them. Such drugs are not always able to cure a disease, for example, sore throat. Inflammation in this disease can develop much deeper than just in the throat, and lozenges are used in such cases only as an addition to the main treatment.

However, the popularity of throat lozenges is growing along with a wide range of flavors. Everyone will find an option for themselves: with honey and lemon, raspberries or propolis. Such drugs act locally without being absorbed into the blood. Therefore, lozenges are allowed to be used during breastfeeding.

The instructions for most lozenges in the “pregnancy and lactation” column indicate that they should be used after consultation with a doctor. This is due to the fact that any remedy can react unpredictably to a woman’s altered body. But there are also pills that are prescribed most often:

• Faringosept;
• Lysobacter;
• Hexoral tabs;
• Dr. Theiss.

But the popular Strepsils lozenges are contraindicated for nursing women.

Do not risk choosing medications on your own; consult a doctor.

Antibiotics

Antibacterial drugs are prescribed for the following diseases:

• pathologies of the respiratory system;
• otitis;
• sinusitis;
• laryngitis and pharyngitis of bacterial etiology.

Doctors sometimes refuse to treat a breastfeeding woman with antibiotics because the risk to the baby is greater than the benefit to the mother. In other cases, the prescription of medication is completely justified. But you shouldn’t get too carried away with antibiotics and take them “for prevention” when signs of the disease are not yet observed.

Antibacterial drugs approved for breastfeeding:

• penicillins - Amoxicillin, Flemoxin Solutab;
• cephalosporins - Ceftriaxone, Cefepime;
• macrolides - Azithromycin, Clarithromycin.

The latter should not be taken in the first month of a baby’s life. Also included in the group of drugs contraindicated during lactation are tetracyclines and lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, sulfonamides and aminoglycosides.

If you are prescribed an antibiotic, try to take the drug immediately after feeding. The concentration of the substance will be lower at the baby’s next meal.

Traditional ways to get rid of a sore throat

Many breastfeeding mothers are afraid to take any medications, and are looking for an alternative to them in the world of traditional medicine.

To relieve the unpleasant symptom, rinses, decoctions, inhalations and teas based on various plants are widely used.

Herbal infusions

Gargles are a safe method to cure breastfeeding sore throat in a few days. As a result of this procedure, pathogenic bacteria and mucus are removed from the surface of the pharynx, and the uncomfortable symptom is relieved.

Traditional recipes usually include the following herbs (they can be easily found in every pharmacy):

• calendula flowers;
• Oak bark;
• sage;
• eucalyptus leaves;
• linden flowers;
• St. John's wort;
• oregano, etc.

Traditional method of preparing decoctions:

1. 1 tbsp. l. pour the herbs into the container. Pour 200 ml there. warm clean water.
2. Cook in a water bath or over low heat. Boil for 20-30 minutes.
3. Afterwards, leave it under the lid, insulate it and let it cool naturally.
4. Strain and squeeze out the raw materials.
5. Dilute the resulting essence with boiled water to its original volume.

Infusions are also recommended:

1. 1 tbsp. l. herbal mixture pour 200 ml. boiling water
2. Cover with a lid and leave for 20-25 minutes until cool.
3. Strain before use.

You can prepare a solution based on salt, soda and iodine. Bulk components are taken 1 tsp, iodine - a few drops. Mix everything well in a glass of warm water. You can treat a nursing mother's throat with pharmaceutical Furacilin or Miramistin.

For mild pain, rinse 2-3 times a day; for severe pain, rinse every 2-3 hours. There is no need to stop lactation.

Inhalations

The advantage of inhalation is that healing substances (whether herbs or pharmaceutical preparations) in vapor form more easily penetrate the affected tissues. Cure with such procedures occurs faster:

• pain syndrome decreases;
• swelling of the mucous membranes is relieved;
• airway drainage improves;
• local immunity increases;
• the process of tissue regeneration starts.

A wide variety of products are suitable for preparing an inhalation solution:

• essential oils (menthol, eucalyptus, juniper or pine, fir, sea buckthorn);
• plants (coltsfoot, eucalyptus, chamomile, lavender);
• honey;
• onion and garlic;
• soda;
• potato;
• sea ​​salt;
• iodine, etc.

There are many recipes for the procedure:

• Place 10-15 drops of essential oil into a saucepan. Heat the liquid to 65 ºC and inhale the vapors for 15 minutes, bending over the container and covering yourself with a warm towel.
• Mix honey in water in the proportion of 1 tbsp. l. for 1 glass of water. Heat the solution to 65 ºC and use the usual technology to breathe over the saucepan for 15 minutes.
• Bring 1 liter to a boil. water, cool to 65 ºC and add 4-5 drops of iodine. Further everything follows the described scheme.

After inhalation, you should not eat or drink for an hour. 2-3 sessions can be performed per day, depending on the patient’s condition.

Inhalation during breastfeeding at an elevated temperature of 37-38 ºC is strictly prohibited.

Additional funds

Excellent treatment for sore throat:

• Tea with raspberries.
• Milk with honey and butter.
• Dry compresses with cottage cheese - 200 g of product are placed on the neck in the area of ​​the lymph nodes, covered with cotton wool and soft cloth. Then everything is tied with a winter scarf and left for 3 hours. Afterwards it is washed off with warm water.
• Herbal compresses - soak a small towel in a hot broth and wring it out so that the water does not drain. It is applied to the throat and first wrapped in polyethylene, then with a warm scarf. The procedure is carried out until the compress cools down.
• Fennel decoction.

Some mothers switched from conventional medications to homeopathic ones. This method of treatment consists of taking small doses of drugs that would provoke the appearance of specific symptoms of the disease in a healthy person. The effectiveness of homeopathic therapy is called into question every day, but its army of fans is growing.

Traditional methods of treating a sore throat while breastfeeding

If a woman is bothered by a sore throat while breastfeeding, then you can resort to using traditional methods. They are absolutely safe, do not affect the baby and rarely cause adverse reactions.

There are several time-tested methods:

• Lugol's solution. It contains iodine, which has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. Effective for sore throat and purulent pharyngitis;
• ginger based tea. Has a good anti-inflammatory effect and immunostimulating effect;
• hot milk with honey and butter. Envelops the mucous membrane of the throat, thereby preventing sore throat and cough;
• fennel based tea. This composition will eliminate pain in the throat and improve the functioning of the digestive organs.

How to treat laryngitis during pregnancy? If the illness is not accompanied by an increase in temperature, then you can do it. At this stage, it is best to use a honey or potato compress. Alcohol dressings should not be applied to the throat, as the vapor may pass into breast milk.

To carry out these manipulations, you need to take a layer of gauze, on which honey or potato mass is applied. In this case, the temperature of the mixture should be within forty degrees. Apply to the neck area, and cover it with a bag and a warm scarf. Leave the compress on for at least six hours.

It is best to apply compresses at night.

The safest treatment method is dry heat. Treatment of laryngitis during pregnancy is based on applying gauze to the sore throat. On top is polyethylene and a wool scarf. The duration of the procedure is twenty minutes.

Preventive measures

The cold season has already begun, so it's time to prepare woolen socks. Don't forget about other precautions:

• When visiting a clinic, supermarkets or shopping centers, wear a gauze bandage.
• Always, even if it’s -2 outside, wrap your throat with a scarf and wear a hat.
• Warm your feet and drink hot tea with lemon in the evenings.
• For prevention, purchase a box of approved lozenges for sore throat.
• And just watch your well-being. At the first signs of illness, consult a doctor immediately.

Breastfeeding is one of the most wonderful times in the life of a mother and baby. Of course, all a woman’s thoughts during this period are focused on the health of the child, but she absolutely cannot forget about herself. A sore throat can be not just an uncomfortable symptom, but a signal of the development of a dangerous disease. Don't let the latter happen, good health for you and your baby.

Causes of sore throat

There are several causes of throat diseases, each of which requires independent treatment and an integrated approach.

1. Viral infections (ARVI) are the most common cause of sore throat. Viral infections are spread by airborne droplets. ARVI is usually accompanied by a slight increase in temperature, chills, and weakness.
2. Bacterial infections (tonsillitis, pharyngitis) are another common cause of throat diseases. They can spread through household items, dishes, and by airborne droplets. Tonsillitis (tonsillitis) is characterized by enlargement, redness of the tonsils, purulent plaque, and a sharp increase in temperature. With pharyngitis, inflammation is localized in the pharyngeal mucosa.
3. Fungal infections (candidiasis) manifest themselves in the form of a white coating on the oral mucosa, burning sensation, and ulcers. You can become infected with candidiasis if personal hygiene rules are not followed. A patient with a fungal infection should be provided with separate dishes and a towel. With candidiasis, a slight increase in temperature and weakness may occur.
4. Allergies can cause a sore throat. In this case, there is a feeling of soreness, dry mouth as a result of swelling of the mucous membranes, the body temperature does not rise, and there is usually no cough. Not contagious.