How to Treat a Sinus Infection While Nursing

A sinus infection causes pain and pressure and makes you feel miserable. As a nursing mother, you may worry about how to relieve your discomfort without risk to your baby. Many home treatments for sinus infection are perfectly safe for a breast-feeding mother. Even if you need to resort to antibiotics, you can do this safely without interfering with breast-feeding.

Instructions

1

Use a humidifier in your bedroom to relieve sinus pain and help prevent repeat infections. Make sure to keep the humidifier clean.

2

Breathe steam by holding your face over a bowl of hot water or by breathing deeply while running a hot shower.

3

Drink extra fluids, especially water, broth and hot liquids. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages.

4

Sleep whenever your baby sleeps. Getting extra rest will help you recover.

5

Flush out your sinuses with a neti pot. You can purchase a neti pot at pharmacies, health-food stores or online. Mix 1 teaspoon salt into 16 ounces of lukewarm water. Fill the neti pot with this solution. Stand over a sink, tip your head to the side at a 45-degree angle, and pour the solution into the top nostril. Allow the solution to run out your other nostril. Spit out any that runs down your throat. Gently blow your nose. Tilt your head the other way, and repeat with the other nostril. Carefully clean the neti pot after each use.

6

Ask your doctor to recommend an over-the-counter medication or prescribe an antibiotic that is known to be safe for breast-feeding. Some medications are better choices than others while nursing. Your doctor should be able to prescribe an antibiotic that will not disrupt breast-feeding in any way.

7

Time your dosage, so the least possible amount of medication will be in your milk when your baby nurses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for help in determining the best time to take your specific medication in relation to nursing.