Can I breastfeed while taking Benadryl?

Can I Breastfeed While Taking Benadryl?
Breastfeeding mothers often face the dilemma of managing their health while ensuring the safety of their infants. One common concern is whether it is safe to take Benadryl, a popular antihistamine, while nursing. The active ingredient in Benadryl is diphenhydramine, which can have implications for both the mother and the breastfeeding infant.
Safety of Benadryl During Breastfeeding
According to various health sources, small, occasional doses of diphenhydramine are generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. Research indicates that these doses are unlikely to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. However, it is crucial to note that larger doses or prolonged use of Benadryl may lead to potential side effects in infants, such as drowsiness, and could also decrease milk supply.
Potential Effects on Infants
While occasional use of Benadryl may not pose significant risks, mothers should be vigilant. The sedative effects of diphenhydramine can transfer to the breastfed baby, potentially causing drowsiness. This is particularly important for mothers who may be using Benadryl to manage allergy symptoms, as the infant’s reaction can vary. Monitoring the baby for any unusual signs, such as excessive sleepiness or irritability, is advisable.
Alternatives to Benadryl
For mothers dealing with chronic allergy symptoms, healthcare professionals often recommend exploring alternatives to Benadryl. Medications such as loratadine are considered safer options, as they do not appear to affect breastfeeding infants negatively. These alternatives may provide effective relief without the sedative side effects associated with diphenhydramine.
Conclusion
In summary, while occasional use of Benadryl is generally deemed safe for breastfeeding mothers, caution is advised. It is essential to consider the dosage and duration of use, as well as to monitor the infant for any side effects. Consulting with a healthcare provider can help mothers make informed decisions about managing their health while ensuring the well-being of their babies.

Is Benadryl safe during pregnancy?

Benadryl (diphenhydramine) is a safe allergy medication to take during pregnancy. It belongs to a class of medications called antihistamines. Benadryl can cause drowsiness, dizziness, or weakness. These can raise your risk of falling or accidentally hurting yourself during pregnancy.

Why is Zyrtec not recommended for breastfeeding?

However, caution is advised for cetirizine use while breastfeeding due to the theoretical risk of CNS depression based on limited human data and risk of decreased milk production.

How long does Benadryl stay in your system baby?

How long does Benadryl stay in your system? For most adults, Benadryl can stay in your system for up to about 60 hours (2.5 days). For children, it doesn’t stick around quite as long. Children retain Benadryl in their bodies for up to about 35 hours (about 1.5 days).

How long after taking antihistamines can I breastfeed?

Antihistamines, used at normal therapeutic doses are unlikely to affect breast milk production, especially where lactation is established, i.e. after 6-8 weeks postpartum.

When can I breastfeed after taking Benadryl?

If your doctor does advise you to take Benadryl for some reason, you can take it before bedtime after you’ve just breastfed your baby, or you might take it while you’re breastfeeding so it can start clearing your system before the next feeding.

What allergy medications are safe while breastfeeding?

Non-sedating antihistamines are the preferred choice for a breastfeeding mother:

• Loratadine (Clarityn®) (Powell 2007, Hilbert 1997),
• Cetirizine (Zirtek®, BecoAllergy®, Piriteze®, Benadryl®) reaches low levels in breastmilk and is recommended by the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Powell 2007)

Will allergy medicine dry up breast milk?

High doses of sedating antihistamines have been reported by mothers to decrease milk production, but there is no scientific proof this occurs. Some allergy medications may have both an antihistamine and a decongestant in them.

Can Benadryl affect babies?

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.

What does Benadryl do to baby while pregnant?

However, several recent medical studies have found that diphenhydramine doesn’t cause these or any abnormalities at birth at all. This research shows that taking Benadryl at any stage of your pregnancy, even the first trimester, is safe.

What antihistamine won’t dry up breast milk?

Zyrtec (cetirizine) is the preferred antihistamine when breastfeeding. Other second-generation antihistamines are also considered safe, but do not have as much research to support their use.