Yes, you generally can use cough drops while breastfeeding, but with a bit of caution. Most cough drops are mainly just sugar and flavorings, but some contain menthol or other active ingredients. Here's where it gets a bit tricky: some studies have suggested that peppermint, which includes menthol, can potentially decrease milk supply1 .
While these effects aren’t fully proven and likely depend on the amount you consume, it's still something to be mindful of, especially if you're already dealing with low milk supply. It's also important to keep in mind that certain medicated cough drops contain ingredients that could potentially affect your baby, like certain types of sedatives.
As always, it's a good plan to touch base with your healthcare provider if you're not sure about a certain brand or type of cough drop.
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