Allergy Medicine While Breastfeeding Faqs
Do I have to stop breastfeeding if I have allergies?
No. It is absolutely fine to breastfeed if you have allergies, even with topical symptoms like a rash or hives.
In some cases, it is confusing to tell if you have an allergy or a cold since the symptoms are often similar.
Even if you are symptomatic from a cold or flu, you can still breastfeed, and you dont need to wean.
Will breastfeeding give my baby allergy symptoms?
It is impossible to transmit allergies through breast milk, so you dont have to worry about your baby catching allergy symptoms or developing an allergy to something youre allergic to because of breastfeeding.
Allergic reactions result from an overreactive immune response to something normally considered safe.
Even if your body thinks it can kill you, grass and ragweed arent poisonous and shouldnt produce that reaction.
Do I need to take medication?
While no medication can cure allergies, there are many options to alleviate allergy symptoms.
People often turn to medication for the relief of these symptoms. However, this is not always necessary. Alternatively, homeopathic remedies are available to relieve allergies.
Will taking allergy medicine while breastfeeding dry up my milk?
There is a growing concern among moms about allergies medications drying up milk. There is some validity in the fear, as some antihistamines tend to dry out milk.
Interestingly, some parents use allergy medicine to speed the weaning process.
Do I Need To Pump And Dump While I’m Taking Medicine
“Pump and dump” means using a breast pump to empty your breasts and then dumping out the milk you collect. Doing this when you can’t give your milk to your baby enables you to keep up your milk supply and eventually start nursing again.
Pumping and dumping is rarely needed. If your provider advises you to stop breastfeeding while taking medicine, ask if there’s an alternative medicine that’s safe for your baby.
In some cases, it might be possible to take your medication immediately after nursing, wait a while, then nurse your baby again just before it’s time to take your next dose. Ask your provider if this approach is safe for your baby.
If you know in advance that you’ll have to pump and dump, consider pumping and freezing your milk ahead of time, so you’ll have enough stockpiled before you start taking your medication.
To learn more about which medications might warrant pumping and dumping, visit the Trash the Pump and Dump website and/or download the free TDP App founded by The Institute for the Advancement of Breastfeeding and Lactation Education .
And visit LactMed, the National Library of Medicine’s Drug and Lactation database, to find out how a specific drug might affect your milk supply and your baby.
Learn more:
Is It Safe To Take Claritin While Breastfeeding
You can take regular Claritin while breastfeeding. Research shows that an insignificant amount of Claritin passes through breast milk, and that would not cause any problems for your infant.
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.
Where breastfeeding moms get into trouble is taking a medication that contains a decongestant like Claritin-D, that helps reduce nasal and lung secretions, or phlegm, explains Dr. Rizk. Because milk ducts also secrete liquidbreast milkthese ingredients will probably also reduce the amount of breastmilk a breastfeeding mom producessomething you don’t want!
Breastfeeding parents who have not fully established their milk supply should be wary of this risk associated with Claritin-D. It’s best to exercise caution when taking this medication and check with a healthcare provider if you have concerns.
Every breastfeeding journey is different. Be sure to consult with a healthcare provider about your circumstances if you have any questions about taking Claritin while breastfeeding.
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Medicines That Are Unsafe When Breastfeeding
These drugs aren’t safe for breastfeeding moms to take. Ask your healthcare provider if there’s a safer alternative for you. If you must take a certain medication, you may not be able to breastfeed, or you may have to stop temporarily.
- Chloramphenicol, an antibiotic used for serious bacterial infection
- Doxepin, a tricyclic antidepressant
- Most cancer medications
- Iodine products, such as Betadine used for douching and potassium iodide, an expectorant.
- Radioactive iodine-131, used to diagnose and treat hyperthyroidism.
- Metamizole , a pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. This medication is banned in the U.S. but is available in Mexico .
- High doses of aspirin . Aspirin appears in small quantities in breast milk, but it might increase the risk of Reye’s syndrome and may cause bleeding problems in infants. There are times when the benefits of taking aspirin outweigh the risks, and your doctor can help you evaluate which amounts are safe for you and your baby, if necessary.
- Gold salts , for arthritis
- Amiodarone , used to treat heart problems
Is It Safe To Take Benadryl While Breastfeeding
Benadryl is a commonly used over-the-counter medication. The active ingredient in brand-name Benadryl is diphenhydramine, which is an antihistamine drug. Diphenhydramine is used to treat allergies, and its also included in sleep aids like Unisom because it promotes drowsiness. Diphenhydramine can also help treat nausea and certain cold symptoms. When someone uses Benadryl or any drug with diphenhydramine, the side effects are typically fairly mild. Side effects may include coordination problems and sleepiness. Diphenhydramine is described as a first-generation antihistamine. Its the most commonly used antihistamine in emergency departments and, along with oral versions of Benadryl, its available in topical creams and lotions. Benadryl is considered safe to use during pregnancy. In fact, the active ingredient of diphenhydramine is sometimes given to pregnant women who struggle with morning sickness because it has some nausea-relieving properties.
What about taking Benadryl while breastfeeding? Taking Benadryl while breastfeeding isnt considered to be a good option, even though its largely safe during pregnancy. Benadryl is believed to pass through breast milk and it can affect a nursing baby. Younger babies can be especially sensitive to the effects of Benadryl if its in their mothers breastmilk. Unlike some other allergy medicines, Benadryl doesnt affect how much milk you make but it can affect how much milk flows from your breasts while youre nursing.
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Should I Pump And Dump After Drinking
The alcohol level in breast milk is essentially the same as the alcohol level in a mothers bloodstream. Expressing or pumping milk after drinking alcohol, and then discarding it , does NOT reduce the amount of alcohol present in the mothers milk more quickly.
Allergy Medicine While Breastfeeding: Is It Safe To Take
It is pretty challenging to take allergy medicine while breastfeeding. For your safety and that of your infant, you must know which medications are safe to take and specific ones that suit your current condition.
That is why it is essential to always keep in touch with your doctor before taking an OTC allergy medicine.
This blog post will explain the details of allergy medicines while breastfeeding.
Like with other medications, it is vital to speak with a healthcare provider before taking any new allergy medicine while breastfeeding.
The allergy season can linger for a long while in the Midwest region. And these allergies can affect your ability to feel your best while caring for your baby.
While it is easy to walk up to a drug store or pharmacy and get any OTC allergy medicines, you may need to apply caution in treating your allergy symptoms while breastfeeding.
Some of the most common questions breastfeeding mothers ask include Which allergy medications are considered safe to take? and What medication will decrease my milk supply?
Many allergy medicines are considered safe for use while nursing and will not affect your breast milk supply.
Notwithstanding, it helps identify which allergy symptom you are trying to treat when you decide to take a medication.
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What Is The Difference Between Reactine And Claritin
Reactine ® and Claritin ® are different as they both contain different active ingredients. Reactine ® contains the active ingredient Cetirizine. Whereas, Claritin ® contains the active ingredient Loratadine. Both treat similar allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, itchy eyes/nose, sneezing and, itching.
How To Treat An Allergic Reaction
Treatment for allergies depends on how severe the reaction was. Some people experience mild symptoms like itching and wheezing, while others have more fatal cases.
Minor allergic reactions are remediable antihistamines, corticosteroids, or decongestants. Treatment can be administered through oral pills, eye drops, nasal rinses, and ointment.
For severe reactions like anaphylaxis, immediate medical attention is necessary. If you or someone you see is having an anaphylactic reaction, call 911 right away.
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My Allergies And Asthma Really Get Me Down What Medicines Can I Safely Take While Im Breastfeeding
When illnesses get you down, youll have a hard time maintaining a good milk supply and taking care of your baby. Its good to do something about your symptoms, rather than thinking you must suffer through them because you are breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding is important when, as in your case, there are allergies in the family. The longer you breastfeed the less likely your child is to inherit your allergies, and breastfeeding may also decrease your own allergy symptoms for a while. Stress can trigger or aggravate asthma and allergies. Breastfeeding stimulates your natural tranquilizing hormones, which may, in turn, reduce the severity of your allergies.
Cold And Allergy Meds: What To Consider
When deciding which cold and allergy meds to take while breastfeeding consider:
- The risk the medication might have on your baby
- The benefits of the medication for your health
- The overall benefits of breastfeeding your baby
If you get sick and need to take medication that could affect your breastmilk, your doctor might recommend that you stop breastfeeding temporarily, depending on how long you need to take the medication. If this happens, you can pump in addition to breastfeeding to create an extra supply of breastmilk you can store in your fridge or freezer.
If youâre not sure if the medication you need to take is safe while breastfeeding, store your expressed breast milk in a separate area until you have a chance to talk with your doctor.
In rare cases, a doctor may ask you to stop breastfeeding permanently. Your doctor can help guide you through the process of weaning your baby off breast milk and transitioning them to baby formula.
Read Also: How To Tell If It’s Allergies Or Sickness
Can I Have One Cigarette While Breastfeeding
You may not smoke or vape anywhere near your baby, but nicotine and other harmful toxins can accumulate in the air, in your body, and in your breast milk. Its called passive exposure, and it puts your baby at a higher risk of developing health problems, like ear infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia.
Complementary And Herbal Medicines While Breastfeeding
Complementary medicines include vitamins, herbal preparations, aromatherapy and homeopathic products. Like other medicines, complementary medicines can have side effects.
With most herbal and traditional medicines, there is not enough documented information to determine their safety in breastfeeding, so ask your health professional for advice.
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Alternatives To Taking Benadryl While Breastfeeding
Luckily, for breastfeeding mothers, there are plenty of safe alternatives to taking Benadryl while breastfeeding. The best options are antihistamines that arent sedatives since they are less likely to have a sedative effect on the baby. Claritin is one allergy medicine that has been studied during breastfeeding, and its shown to pass only marginally into breastmilk. Do note, however, that Claritin-D contains pseudoephedrine and can reduce milk supply.
If your doctor does advise you to take Benadryl for some reason, you can take it before bedtime after youve just breastfed your baby, or you might take it while youre breastfeeding so it can start clearing your system before the next feeding. Other medicines you might take can include antihistamine nasal sprays and eyedrops. There are also decongestants that can be used during breastfeeding as well. However, many decongestant allergy medicines do have pseudoephedrine, so be sure to check the labels. Nasal decongestant sprays that can be used while breastfeeding include Afrin and Tyzine. For some women, a doctor may prescribe corticosteroids, which suppress inflammation related to allergies. Allergy immunotherapy is an option during breastfeeding as well. Immunotherapy is a series of shots given several times a week for anywhere from three to six months, which helps train the bodys immune system to stop attacking allergens.
Alternative Cold Medicines And Remedies
In addition to common over-the-counter medications, some alternative remedies can help treat symptoms of common illnesses , such as:
- Congestion: A steamy shower or bath, saline-only nasal spray, and plenty of warm fluids can help ease congestion.
- Cough: Warm water with lemon and honey can ease the nursing parent’s cough. Honey is not recommended for children younger than 12 months of age, but if the nursing parent has honey in warm water or tea, it’s considered safe.
- Sore throat: Gargling with warm salt water is a safe way to ease a sore throat. Eating cold ice pops may also offer some relief for throat pain, as would warm soup.
You can always talk to your healthcare provider about other options for symptom relief.
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What Can I Take For Nasal Congestion And Swelling While Breastfeeding
Nasal Saline Irrigation : Using salt water to irrigate the nose and sinuses is a practice dating back thousands of years. In modern pharmacies, saline is available in nasal sprays and nasal rinses, as well as mineral packets for home reconstitution. Studies have shown sinus and nasal rinsing to be highly effective in relieving symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis.4Saline irrigation is the safest possible treatment for rhinosinusitis in pregnant or breastfeeding mothers. Common Trade names: Sinus Rinse, Simply Saline, Ocean
Oxymetazoline : Nasal Decongestant.This decongestant comes in several formulations that last between 4 and 12 hours. There are no good studies of oxymetazoline safety during breastfeeding, however, very little of it is expected to reach the milk because it is locally administered and poorly absorbed. For this reason, oxymetazoline is probably a better choice than oral systemic decongestants such as pseudoephedrine during breastfeeding. Oxymetazoline should only be used briefly, no more than 3 days, to avoid rebound congestion. Common trade name: Afrin.
Triamcinolone : Nasal Steroid. This is the first OTC steroid nasal spray to be marketed in the United States. Triamcinolone may be used for longer periods of time without causing rebound congestion. There is virtually no risk to a breastfeeding infant when the mother uses this product nasally. Oral and topical forms deserve more caution in their use. Common trade name: Kenalog shot, Nasacort.1
Summary Of Use During Lactation
Because of its lack of sedation and low milk levels, maternal use of loratadine would not be expected to cause any adverse effects in breastfed infants. Loratadine might have a negative effect on lactation, especially in combination with a sympathomimetic agent such as pseudoephedrine. The British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology recommends loratadine at its lowest dose as a preferred choice if an antihistamine is required during breastfeeding.
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Looking For Information On Other Meds
The MommyMeds app provides up-to-date knowledge on various medications for the safe use of breastfeeding mothers. Our diverse team of specialists have come together to develop an easy to use resource accessible to mothers regarding drug related lactation risk. Support our research on breastfeeding medication by downloading the app today.
Allergy Treatments Include The Following:
Avoiding allergens: The doctor helps you identify your allergy triggers, and then avoid them. One of most essential thing is to avoid allergies and reduce their symptoms as much as possible.
Medications: Allergy medicines can help ease symptoms depending on your sensitivities.
These medications include: Pills, liquid, nasal sprays or eye dropsThe safest of these forms for a nursing mother are:
- Eye drops: Eye drops designed to relieve cold and allergy symptoms are compatible with breastfeeding.
- Nasal sprays: Nasal sprays are generally compatible with breastfeeding.
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Is It Safe For A Breastfeeding Mom To Take Allergy Medicine
- www.babycenter.com
- Highest rating: 3
- Summary: Yes, there are allergy medications that are safe to take while youre breastfeeding. Just be careful, because over-the-counter allergy medications are often
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- Highest rating: 5
- Summary: Optimal treatment choice: · Non-sedating antihistamine · Nasal spray · Eye drops · Can breast feeding mothers take antihistamines for allergies?
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Tips For Dealing With Allergies While Breastfeeding:
The best way to avoid allergic responses is to know what kind of allergy you have. Here are a set of tips and precautions to deal with allergies while breastfeeding:
Identifying irritants: Take better care of yourself much as you can to figure out what causes your allergies. Pay close attention to what you do or consume to detect when you start to get allergy symptoms. This will help you and your doctor figure out which irritants are the source of your allergy.
Avoid allergens you suffer from: For example, if you have a pollen allergy, stay indoors when pollen volatilizes a lot.And if you have a dust allergy, dust sheets and carpets, and clean your home with a vacuum cleaner. If the sensitivity of the chest is due to smoke and so on, care must be taken as much as possible not to be in the midst of smokers, and car windows must be closed tightly to reduce inhalation of car exhaust and so on.
In general, it is advised to stay away from anything that may cause a food allergy. If you suffer from skin allergies to foods such as bananas, strawberries and chocolate, you should avoid them completely.
Then, after birth, complete the follow-up also with the pediatrician who would monitor your baby to make sure that the allergy treatment you are taking is compatible with breastfeeding.
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