Can you take Benadryl while breastfeeding?

Can You Take Benadryl While Breastfeeding?
When it comes to managing allergy symptoms during breastfeeding, many mothers wonder about the safety of medications like Benadryl, which contains the active ingredient diphenhydramine. Understanding the implications of using this antihistamine while nursing is crucial for both maternal health and infant safety.
Safety Profile of Benadryl
Benadryl is commonly used to alleviate symptoms associated with allergies, hay fever, and the common cold. While it is generally considered safe for occasional use, it is important to note that diphenhydramine can pass into breast milk. This transfer means that while a single dose may not pose significant risks, regular or high doses could potentially affect the nursing infant.
Research indicates that small, occasional doses of diphenhydramine are unlikely to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants. However, larger doses or prolonged use may lead to side effects such as increased drowsiness in the baby or even a decrease in the mother’s milk supply. Some studies have reported that infants exposed to diphenhydramine may exhibit symptoms like irritability or excessive sleepiness.
Recommendations for Use
Health professionals often suggest that while an occasional dose of Benadryl may not be harmful, it is not the first-line treatment for breastfeeding mothers. There are alternative medications that may be safer and more effective for managing allergy symptoms, especially for those with chronic conditions.
If a mother chooses to take Benadryl, it is advisable to monitor the infant for any unusual behavior, such as increased drowsiness or irritability. This vigilance can help ensure that any potential side effects are promptly addressed.
Conclusion
In summary, while taking Benadryl occasionally during breastfeeding is generally considered safe, it is essential to weigh the benefits against potential risks. Consulting with a healthcare provider can help mothers make informed decisions about their allergy management while ensuring the well-being of their nursing infants.

Do antihistamines 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.

What medications should be avoided while breastfeeding?

Common medicines that are not recommended when you’re breastfeeding include:

• codeine phosphate.
• decongestants that come as tablets, liquids or powders that you swallow.
• some nasal decongestants that come as nose sprays or drops – check with a GP or pharmacist before using them.
• aspirin for pain relief.

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.

What is the best sleep aid for breastfeeding moms?

However, the ‘z- drugs’ (zolpidem and zopiclone) are preferred for the short-term management of insomnia during breastfeeding, as they have shorter half-lives than the benzodiazepines and appear to pass into breast milk in small amounts. Melatonin can also be used in breastfeeding with caution.

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 allergy medicine is 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)

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.

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.

Which drug decreases milk supply?

Certain medications can suppress lactation (reduce milk production) in breastfeeding moms. Some of the medications that can decrease milk supply include: Antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and cetirizine (Zyrtec). Decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Claritin-D, Zyrtec-D, and Allegra-D).

Will Benadryl dry up my 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.