Is it okay to take Benadryl while breastfeeding?

Understanding Benadryl and Breastfeeding
As many new mothers navigate the challenges of breastfeeding, questions about medication safety often arise. One common medication that comes into question is Benadryl, known generically as diphenhydramine, which is frequently used to alleviate allergy symptoms, hay fever, and cold-related discomfort. But is it safe to take while breastfeeding?
Safety Profile of Benadryl During Breastfeeding
The consensus among health professionals is that occasional use of Benadryl while breastfeeding is generally considered safe. However, it is crucial to understand the nuances involved. Benadryl does pass into breast milk, albeit in small amounts, which means it can potentially affect a nursing infant. While an occasional dose is unlikely to cause significant issues, regular or high doses may lead to side effects in the baby, such as increased drowsiness or irritability.
Potential Effects on Infants
Research indicates that while small doses of diphenhydramine are not expected to cause adverse effects in breastfed infants, larger doses or prolonged use could pose risks. These risks include not only potential drowsiness in the infant but also a decrease in the mother’s milk supply. Therefore, while a single dose might not be harmful, mothers should be cautious about frequency and dosage.
Alternatives to Consider
For mothers experiencing chronic allergy symptoms, it may be wise to explore safer alternatives to Benadryl. Other antihistamines, such as loratadine, are often recommended as they are less likely to affect breastfeeding infants. Consulting with a healthcare provider can help in identifying the most suitable medication that balances allergy relief with the safety of the nursing child.
Conclusion
In summary, while occasional use of Benadryl is generally safe for breastfeeding mothers, it is not the first-line recommendation due to its potential effects on infants. Mothers should weigh the benefits against the risks and consider discussing their options with a healthcare professional to ensure both their health and that of their baby are prioritized.

Which allergy medicine is safe for 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)

Do antihistamines dry up milk supply?

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.

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.

Can too much Benadryl hurt a baby?

Because Benadryl is an antihistamine, it can cause serious or even fatal side effects in infants. These side effects include rapid heartbeat and convulsions. If your child has allergies, then you should talk to the pediatrician about the proper medication to use during a reaction.

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).

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.

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.

Will Benadryl affect my breast milk?

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.

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.

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.