Can I take anything for allergies while breastfeeding?

Understanding Allergy Medications While Breastfeeding
Navigating allergies while breastfeeding can be a challenging experience for new mothers. Many women wonder if they can safely take allergy medications without affecting their breast milk or their baby’s health. The good news is that there are options available, but caution is advised.
Safe Allergy Medications
Research indicates that certain antihistamines are generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) are among the recommended choices, as they have been studied more extensively and shown to have minimal effects on breast milk and infant health. Other antihistamines, such as Allegra and Xyzal, may also be safe, but they lack the same level of research backing their use during breastfeeding.
Potential Risks and Considerations
While many allergy medications are deemed safe, some can have unintended consequences. For instance, certain nasal decongestants, although considered safe, may reduce milk supply. Therefore, it is advisable for breastfeeding mothers to avoid allergy medications that combine antihistamines with decongestants whenever possible.
Moreover, it’s essential to consider the individual health circumstances of both the mother and the baby. If a breastfeeding mother has a history of allergies or if her baby has shown signs of allergies, consulting with a healthcare provider is crucial. They can provide personalized advice and help weigh the benefits and risks of taking specific medications.
Impact of Maternal Diet on Allergies
Interestingly, the foods a breastfeeding mother consumes can also influence her baby’s allergy risk. While some may think that avoiding certain foods can prevent allergies in their infants, current guidelines suggest that this practice is not necessary and may not be effective. In fact, exposure to a variety of foods through breast milk may help in developing the baby’s immune system and potentially reduce the risk of allergies.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers can take certain allergy medications, with cetirizine and loratadine being the safest options. However, it is vital to avoid medications that may impact milk supply and to consult healthcare professionals for tailored advice. Additionally, maintaining a balanced diet without unnecessary restrictions can be beneficial for both mother and child in managing allergies.

Which antihistamine is safe in breastfeeding?

Loratadine or cetirizine are usually OK to take while breastfeeding. Always check the leaflet that comes with your medicine to see if it’s safe for you before taking it or giving it to your child.

What can I take for allergies 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)

Can you take Claritin or zyrtec while breastfeeding?

Cetirizine (Zyrtec) and loratadine (Claritin) are the recommended antihistamines when breastfeeding. Other antihistamines are also considered safe but do not have as much research to support this. These include Allegra and Xyzal. Antihistamines such as Zatador are available as eye drops, which help itchy, watery eyes.

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.

Which works better, Claritin or Zyrtec?

Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) are two popular brands. They contain different compounds but appear to be equally effective. Antihistamines can reduce allergy symptoms, such as watering eyes, itchy skin, hives, and swelling.

Will Benadryl dry up 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.

What is the safest antihistamine while breastfeeding?

The preferred choice of sedating antihistamine is chlorphenamine due to extensive experience of safe use. Hydroxyzine or promethazine can be used when breastfeeding with caution and close monitoring, if chlorphenamine is not suitable.

Can allergies be passed through breast milk?

Babies can develop allergies to foods that you are eating while you are breastfeeding. There are no recommendations to avoid any food while you are breastfeeding to prevent allergies.

Will Claritin dry up my milk supply?

Is It Safe to Take Claritin While Breastfeeding? While regular Claritin is completely fine, taking Claritin-D while breastfeeding may reduce milk supply. Claritin-D contains both loratadine, an antihistamine, and pseudoephedrine sulfate, a nasal decongestant,2 which may reduce milk supply, says Silverman.

Can I pass my allergies to my baby through breastfeeding?

Food allergens in the mother’s diet can pass through into the breastmilk so a breastfed baby can have an allergic response or intolerance to something in the mother’s diet.