Can Benadryl affect baby?

Understanding the Risks of Benadryl for Infants
Benadryl, known generically as diphenhydramine, is a widely recognized over-the-counter medication primarily used to alleviate allergy symptoms. While it has been a staple in many households for years, its safety for infants remains a contentious topic among healthcare professionals and parents alike.
The Safety Concerns
The primary concern with administering Benadryl to infants is the potential for adverse reactions. Medical experts caution against using this medication for babies unless specifically advised by a healthcare provider. The risks associated with Benadryl can be significant, particularly for children under the age of 6, as there are no formulations approved for infants in the United States. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explicitly warns against giving any cold or cough medicine containing antihistamines, including Benadryl, to children under 2 years old due to the possibility of severe side effects such as rapid heart rate and convulsions.
Off-Label Use and Misconceptions
Many parents may be tempted to use Benadryl to help their babies sleep during travel or other stressful situations. However, this practice is fraught with danger. The medication can cause sedation, but it may also lead to paradoxical reactions in some children, resulting in increased agitation or hyperactivity. Furthermore, the notion that Benadryl is a safe, go-to solution for calming infants is misleading; there are now more effective and safer alternatives available that do not carry the same risks.
Conclusion
In summary, while Benadryl is a common medication for treating allergies in older children and adults, its use in infants is highly discouraged due to the potential for serious side effects and the lack of approved formulations for this age group. Parents should always consult with a pediatrician before considering any medication for their infants, ensuring that they prioritize safety and well-being above all else.

How much Benadryl is too much for a baby?

Benadryl dosage for infants

Age	Dosage
Under 2	Do not use
2–5	Do not use unless directed by a doctor
6–11	1 or 2 tsp (5–10 mL) every 4 to 6 hours

Jul 21, 2023

Is Benadryl harmful to fetus?

Yes, Benadryl is considered safe to take during pregnancy. Benadryl has been available for quite some time. This has allowed experts to study it thoroughly. Multiple studies have shown that Benadryl and other first-generation antihistamines don’t cause harm to unborn babies.

What happens if a baby takes Benadryl?

Parents should not give antihistamines like Benadryl to help a baby sleep due to the likelihood of adverse reactions like seizures and cardiac arrhythmias which can be fatal.

Will Benadryl affect milk supply?

Remember, there are also many medications that can reduce your milk supply. For example, antihistamines like Benadryl, Zyrtec, Allegra, etc, or decongestants like Sudafed, can decrease your milk supply.

Can allergy shots cause miscarriage?

There is no medical evidence to suggest that allergy immunotherapy is harmful to a pregnant woman or to her baby. However, to be extra cautious, most NYC doctors do not start allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) during pregnancy.

Does Benadryl put babies to sleep?

Can Benadryl® Make My Child Sleepy? Yes, one of the main side effects is sedation. This can make children very drowsy, to the point of falling asleep. In addition, sedation can cause lingering confusion and significantly impair gross motor and even affect learning abilities.

How long is Benadryl in your system?

The quick answer is it takes our body 24 to 48 hours to process the substance. However, it can show up in urine tests up to four days after ingestion. You should understand the timeline of diphenhydramine in your system so you know when to take the next dosage. That’s because taking too much causes nasty side effects.

Does Benadryl affect fetal heart rate?

Although there are no reports in the literature of antihistamine toxicity in a fetus due to maternal overdose, evidence suggests that diphenhydramine crosses the placenta, and therefore may cause toxic effects on the fetus, including tachycardia and loss of beat-to-beat variability [4,5].

Do antihistamines dry up breastmilk?

One mother reported a reduction in milk production after taking 10mg of loratadine. There have been no studies looking at other antihistamines, lower doses, or what effect any changes in prolactin might have on milk production.

What can I give my 5 month old for an allergic reaction?

If your baby is acting normally but has a mild rash or some hives, you could give your baby an antihistamine. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) can provide comfort, but second-generation antihistamines like cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) last longer and are less likely to make your baby sleepy, Dr. Tam says.