Is it safe to take Benadryl while breastfeeding?

Understanding Benadryl and Breastfeeding Safety
As many new mothers navigate the challenges of breastfeeding, questions about medication safety often arise. One common medication, Benadryl (diphenhydramine), is frequently used to alleviate allergy symptoms, but its safety during breastfeeding is a topic of concern.
The Basics of Benadryl
Benadryl is an antihistamine that provides temporary relief from allergies, hay fever, and cold symptoms. While it is generally effective for these purposes, its use during breastfeeding requires careful consideration. The primary concern is that Benadryl can pass into breast milk, potentially affecting the nursing infant.
Potential Effects on Infants
Research indicates that Benadryl can cause drowsiness in both adults and infants. When taken by breastfeeding mothers, it may lead to increased sleepiness, irritability, or excitability in babies. While small, occasional doses of diphenhydramine are not expected to cause significant adverse effects, larger doses or prolonged use could pose risks, including a decrease in milk supply.
Recommendations for Nursing Mothers
Given these potential effects, many healthcare professionals recommend that breastfeeding mothers avoid Benadryl if possible. Alternatives such as loratadine (Claritin) are often suggested, as they are less likely to affect milk supply or cause sedation in infants. If a mother feels that she must take Benadryl, it is advisable to opt for the lowest effective dose and to monitor the infant for any unusual behavior.
Conclusion
In summary, while occasional use of Benadryl during breastfeeding may not lead to significant issues, it is generally safer to explore alternative medications. Mothers should consult with healthcare providers to discuss their specific situations and consider options that minimize any potential risks to their infants. As always, the health and well-being of both mother and child should guide medication choices during this critical time.

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.

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?

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).

What allergy medication 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)

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.

Is Benadryl ok to take while pregnant?

Benadryl is considered to be safe during pregnancy. Doctors and nurses recommend this OTC medication to help relieve allergy symptoms, even while you’re pregnant. Recent studies have found Benadryl to be safe.

Why is Benadryl given during labor?

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.

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 can you take instead of Benadryl?

Other Alternative Allergy Treatments

• Allegra (fexofenadine)
• Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
• Chlorpheniramine.
• Claritin (loratadine)
• Dimetapp (brompheniramine)
• Clemastine.
• Zyrtec (cetirizine)

Is Benadryl safe during breastfeeding?

Taking Benadryl while breastfeeding isn’t considered to be a good option, even though it’s largely safe during pregnancy. Benadryl is believed to pass through breast milk and it can affect a nursing baby.