Tips for Cold & Flu Season

It’s Cold & Flu Season – What does that mean for milk donors?

It is OK for milk donors to get their flu shot!  We want to keep you healthy!

To maintain your milk supply during seasonal illnesses, it is important to continue to breastfeed your baby, or pump your milk on the same schedule as before you became ill. It is fine to take an occasional acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) as the small amount that may transfer into breast milk is safe for milk donation.

Echinacea pills require a 24 hour deferral after the last pill is taken before donating any milk you pump.

Most over the counter cold and flu medications and cough syrups are formulated to treat a few of the symptoms of colds and flu by containing any combination of the following: a decongestant, an antihistamine, an expectorant and a cough suppressant. There is a 3 day deferral after the last dose is taken of any of these products before pumped milk can be donated.  

If you have a drink of alcohol or require additional medication to treat your cold or flu symptoms, please keep your regular pumping schedule put an ‘X’ on the bags of milk pumped during the deferral times. That way, you know which bags not to send to the Milk Bank when it’s time to send in your shipment.

The sick, preterm babies we serve say ‘Thank You’ for taking these precautions to help them grow and get well safely.