What can breastfeeding moms take for allergies?

Understanding Allergy Relief for Breastfeeding Moms
Breastfeeding can be a beautiful yet challenging experience, especially for mothers dealing with allergies. The good news is that there are safe options available for managing allergy symptoms without compromising the health of their breastfeeding infants.
Safe Allergy Medications
When it comes to treating allergies while breastfeeding, certain medications are considered safe. According to experts, corticosteroid nasal sprays such as Flonase and Nasacort, as well as cromolyn sodium nasal spray (a mast cell stabilizer), are among the most effective and safest options for breastfeeding mothers. These medications work locally in the nasal passages and have minimal systemic absorption, making them less likely to affect breast milk.
On the other hand, mothers should be cautious with first-generation antihistamines and decongestants. Medications like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) and pseudoephedrine are generally advised against due to their sedative effects and potential impact on milk supply. It’s crucial for breastfeeding moms to consult with healthcare providers before starting any new medication to ensure safety for both themselves and their babies.
Dietary Considerations
Breastfeeding mothers may also wonder about the impact of their diet on their infants, particularly if there are concerns about food allergies. While human breast milk is typically safe and does not cause allergic reactions in infants, some mothers may feel anxious about consuming certain foods. If a breastfeeding mother has been informed that her infant has food allergies, she may need to avoid specific allergens in her diet.
Interestingly, studies suggest that prophylactic breastfeeding—especially the consumption of colostrum—can help reduce the risk of food allergies in infants. This means that breastfeeding itself can play a protective role, potentially lowering the likelihood of allergies developing later on.
Managing Seasonal Allergies
For mothers suffering from seasonal allergies, relief is possible without compromising breastfeeding. Common symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing can be managed effectively with the right approach. In addition to safe medications, non-pharmacological strategies such as saline nasal rinses and maintaining a clean environment can help alleviate symptoms.
Conclusion
Navigating allergies while breastfeeding doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By choosing safe medications and being mindful of dietary choices, mothers can find relief from their allergy symptoms while ensuring their infants remain healthy. As always, open communication with healthcare providers is essential to tailor a plan that works best for both mother and child.

Why shouldn’t you take Zyrtec while breastfeeding?

Antihistamines and breastfeeding
In a telephone follow-up study conducted by Motherisk, 10% of mothers reported irritability and colicky symptoms in their infants exposed to various antihistamines, and drowsiness was reported in 1.6% of infants.

What is the safest allergy medicine to take while pregnant?

Safe OTC medications:

• Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®)
• Loratidine (Claritin®)
• Cetirizine (Zyrtec®)
• Nasal steroid (Flonase®)
• Guaifenesin (plain Mucinex®)
• Mentholated cream (Vicks Vapor Rub®)
• Afrin® may be used, but only for a short time (three days or less)

Can I breastfeed if I took Benadryl?

Taking Benadryl occasionally during breastfeeding is safe. However, taking Benadryl regularly or in large doses may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. It may also reduce your milk supply. Antihistamines that cause less sleepiness are usually preferred over oral Benadryl while breastfeeding.

Can breastfeeding moms take Benadryl?

Taking Benadryl occasionally during breastfeeding is safe. However, taking Benadryl regularly or in large doses may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. It may also reduce your milk supply. Antihistamines that cause less sleepiness are usually preferred over oral Benadryl while breastfeeding.

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 I breastfeed if I have seasonal allergies?

Yes. A parent can still breastfeed/chestfeed when suffering from seasonal allergies. You may not be feeling well because you are sneezing and your eyes are puffy, but it is still safe to breastfeed/chestfeed. However, prescription or over-the-counter allergy medication may affect your 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 Claritin dry up my breast milk?

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.

Is Claritin better than Zyrtec 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).