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Community experience, with doctor backing in several cases, is that moderate coffee is fine, certain cough remedies and Vicks were used on pediatrician advice, and foods like sushi and raw-egg desserts were considered okay; the main caution flagged is fragrances/deodorant due to possible baby allergy, and that cutting dairy for colic is largely a myth.
⚠️ Caution:Always confirm any medication with your own pediatrician or gynecologist before taking it while breastfeeding, since the right choice and timing can depend on your baby's age and health. Watch the baby for any reaction (rash, fussiness) when you introduce a new food or product.
Moms worry that everything they eat, drink, or wear could harm their baby through their milk, leading them to give up small comforts like coffee or worry over a single dessert. The community, often citing their own doctors, reassures that moderate coffee, doctor-approved cough remedies, Vicks, and ordinary foods are generally fine, while flagging the few genuine cautions (fragrance allergy, confirming medicines), helping moms relax without being careless.
Here's what moms in our community shared based on their own experience.
Coffee in moderation is fine: gynecologists and pediatricians cleared up to about 2 cups a day (roughly 30 mg caffeine per day cited as safe). Stay well hydrated; one mom found excess coffee with other 'heat-producing' foods gave her mouth ulcers in early postpartum.
Cough remedies used on doctor advice: Honitus (around 4 months pp), Ascoril LS (around 5 months pp), and warm water with honey. These were all pediatrician-suggested.
Vicks is considered okay: rub it on chest, feet, and head as usual, and it helps the baby's cough too; do a patch test first.
Deodorant: many advise avoiding it because the baby could be allergic to fragrance, though some moms do use it; it's a personal choice, especially for occasional use.
Foods: raw-egg desserts and sushi were considered okay by moms who'd eaten them.
Dairy and colic: cutting out milk to fix colic is largely a myth unless a milk allergy or high-lipase issue is medically established; you can drink cow, almond, or oats milk as you prefer, and limit dairy without fully stopping it.
The information shared on this page comes from real experiences of mothers in our community. While we strive to provide helpful insights, this content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your pediatrician, healthcare provider, or other qualified medical professional for any questions regarding your child's health or development.
Last reviewed: June 17, 2026
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