Can I take Benadryl when breastfeeding?

Understanding Benadryl Use During Breastfeeding
When it comes to managing allergies or insomnia, many breastfeeding mothers may wonder about the safety of taking Benadryl, a common antihistamine. The active ingredient in Benadryl is diphenhydramine, which can indeed pass into breast milk. This raises important considerations for nursing mothers and their infants.
Safety of Occasional Use
Research indicates that occasional doses of Benadryl are generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. Small, infrequent doses are unlikely to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. However, it is crucial to note that newborns and infants are particularly sensitive to antihistamines, which means that even small amounts can potentially lead to side effects such as increased sleepiness or irritability in the baby.
Risks of Prolonged Use
While occasional use may be acceptable, larger doses or prolonged use of Benadryl can pose risks. Extended use may not only affect the infant but could also decrease the mother’s milk supply. This is especially true if Benadryl is taken in combination with other medications, such as sympathomimetics like pseudoephedrine. Therefore, if a mother finds herself needing to use Benadryl frequently, it may be wise to consult a healthcare provider for alternative treatments that are safer for both mother and child.
Monitoring for Side Effects
If a breastfeeding mother decides to take Benadryl, it is advisable to monitor the infant for any signs of drowsiness or irritability. Some studies have shown that infants exposed to diphenhydramine may exhibit increased sleepiness. This is an important consideration, as the sedative effects of the medication can impact the infant’s alertness and feeding patterns.
Alternatives to Consider
For mothers dealing with chronic allergy symptoms, it may be beneficial to explore safer and more effective alternatives to Benadryl. There are other antihistamines that are considered safer for breastfeeding mothers, and a healthcare provider can help identify the best options based on individual health needs.
Conclusion
In summary, while occasional use of Benadryl during breastfeeding is generally safe, mothers should be cautious about dosage and duration. Monitoring the infant for any adverse effects is essential, and consulting with a healthcare professional can provide guidance on safer alternatives if needed. As always, the health and well-being of both mother and child should be the top priority when considering any medication during breastfeeding.

Can Benadryl affect babies?

Serious side effects, such as seizures, are more likely to occur in younger children and could pose greater risk to infants or young children when compared to older children or adults. In general, children are more sensitive than adults to the side effects of antihistamines.

What is the most safe antihistamine while breastfeeding?

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. These include Allegra (fexofenadine), Claritin (loratidine), and Xyzal (levocetirizine).

Will 25mg of Benadryl make me sleepy?

Some people also take Benadryl as an over-the-counter (OTC) sleep aid since it causes drowsiness. The recommended Benadryl dosage for sleep is 25 mg to 50 mg by mouth at bedtime in adults and kids ages 12 years and older. Benadryl should not be taken for longer than 2 weeks at a time.

Is Benadryl safe to take while breastfeeding?

Benadryl is an antihistamine drug that is considered to be safe during pregnancy. However, Benadryl can be passed through breastmilk and cause a baby to become drowsy, excitable or irritable. Allergy medications may decrease a mother’s milk supply while breastfeeding.

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)

Why is Benadryl used in labor and delivery?

Vistaril or Benadryl it can be given alone or in combination with a narcotic. It will relax you, it may also be used if you are nauseous and vomiting. It can be given at any time and usually does not slow down your labor.

Is it okay to take Benadryl while pregnant?

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.

Does antihistamine dry up breast milk?

There is conflicting data on the effect of antihistamines and breast milk production, and the evidence is very limited. 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.

Why is Zyrtec not recommended while breastfeeding?

Zyrtec, although generally safe, is not recommended during breastfeeding because it passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Possible side effects on the baby include irritation or lethargy. Always consult your healthcare provider before taking any medication while breastfeeding.