Hear, hear!  VERY GOOD points!   So many times the snake in the room is missed because the elephant is knocking over the furniture!

-----Original Message-----
From: Lactation Information and Discussion [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Alla Gordina MD, IBCLC, FAAP
Sent: Monday, March 24, 2014 9:22 PM
Subject: Re: Decongestants and colostrum production

One second, one second please...

Let's talk "lactation language" and substitute "congestion" to "low milk supply"
Wouldn't we want to actually determine the cause of said conundrum before jumping into ungrounded remedial conclusions?!

Congestion is just a symptom, not a diagnosis.
IMHO it can be a good idea to recommend this mom to be EXAMINED first, DIAGNOSED second and only then - TREATED.

Spring is a miserable time for allergy sufferers, and that type of congestion would not be relieved by the majority of folk remedies.
Can it be asthma? It was proven many times that when patients are seen for "congestion", too frequently they do present with the classic signs of asthma exacerbation. Missing thsi condition just before the due date can make labor and post-partum period... difficult to say the least.
No matter how straight-forward the diagnosis of a simple "garden variety" cold is , it is ALWAYS the diagnosis of exclusion.

So I would first concentrate on
(a) proper evaluation and diagnosis and
(b) patient education on the subject that decongestants are not as "miracle drugs" as their manufacturers are trying us to believe.

Only them we will be able to help this mom to preserve her health in general and her colostrum in particular.

Alla

--
Alla Gordina, MD, IBCLC, FAAP
General Pediatrics
Breastfeeding Medicine
Adoption and Foster Care Medicine

Global Pediatrics and Family Medicine
NJ Breastfeeding Medicine Educational Initiative

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