Can I Take Benadryl While Breastfeeding?

Allergy season can leave you reaching for a fast-acting remedy, but can you take Benadryl while breastfeeding?

Benadryl may not be the best choice of allergy medication if you are breastfeeding, except in emergency situations. Taking an antihistamine like Benadryl is a common form of relief, but it is also used to treat more significant allergic reactions to foods, bee stings, and other allergens.

An occasional dose of Benadryl while breastfeeding may not cause any problems for you or your baby, but there may be safer and more effective medications to take, especially if your allergy symptoms are chronic.

Can You Take Benadryl While Breastfeeding?

Most health care professionals recommend avoiding regular or high doses of Benadryl while breastfeeding because the active ingredient in the medication does pass through breast milk.

"No one can tell you with absolute certainty that taking Benadryl is safe because there are no real studies on these types of medications as it is unethical to test adverse effects on infants," explains Nate Hux, RPH, a registered pharmacist, and owner of Pickerington Pharmacy in central Ohio.

Not only can Benadryl impact the lactating person, but it also can be passed to a baby through breast milk. This can cause your baby to become drowsy, excitable, or even irritable.

"We only have anecdotal evidence, and everything that we can say about the drug is theoretical, based on what we know about how the drug would be expected to act," adds Hux.

Benadryl may also reduce breast milk supply, especially if taken long-term or in very high amounts.

"I tell my clients not to take any antihistamines—if they can avoid them—because they tend to dry up the breastfeeding [parent's] milk. Although everyone's body is different, just one dose can impact milk supply," claims Lexi Hess, a certified lactation counselor in Ohio.

"Benadryl also can cause a [parent] to get too sleepy, so I would recommend a nasal spray instead," she adds.

What Is Benadryl?

Benadryl is the brand name of an over-the-counter medication designed to relieve itching, burning, redness, and other symptoms caused by an allergic reaction.

Benadryl comes in tablets, capsules, liquids, and creams.

Common side effects of Benadryl

Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine, which means it was one of the first of its kind to be developed. As a result, there are more side effects from these drugs than later generations of antihistamines, such as:

• Headache
• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Heart palpitations
• Impaired coordination

Risks of Taking Benadryl While Breastfeeding

The risks of taking Benadryl while breastfeeding begins with the central nervous system, as it causes drowsiness and coordination problems. Being sleepy and clumsy is not a good combination when trying to care for your baby—especially a newborn or an infant.

"My concerns with Benadryl are the impact it has on the nursing [parent]," says Hess. "I am concerned Benadryl would make [them] too sleepy to care for the baby. [The parent] might not hear the baby cry or might dose off while feeding or holding the baby."

Additionally, one of the most concerning risks associated with taking Benadryl while breastfeeding is that the medication may also linger in the breast milk. "Aside from the effects it could have on the [parent] and the baby, there also is the risk of taking too much Benadryl and having too much in the breast milk," adds Hux.

"Although Benadryl in small doses is probably not a big deal, I always err on the side of caution and recommend something other than Benadryl for treatment of ongoing allergies," he notes.

What To Do If You Take Benadryl While Breastfeeding

If you do you have to take Benadryl, whether because of a severe allergic reaction or other necessity, here are some tips for what to do next.

• Talk to a health care provider. According to Hux, you may still be able to nurse, but it is important to get advice beforehand. Also ask how long the medicine will be in your breast milk, so you can plan for future feedings or pumping. Hux says that 50 milligrams of Benadryl, which is usually the dose taken for an allergic reaction, is going to stay in your system for about eight hours or even a little longer.
• Line up help in your home. Hess suggests that you have someone stay with you after taking Benadryl. It is important to have someone there until the medication is out of your system, she says. "They can supervise while you nurse or they can feed the baby expressed milk from the fridge," she notes.
• Watch your breast milk supply. "It is also important to pay attention to your milk supply and to make sure you are still pumping if you are feeding the baby expressed milk," says Hux.
• Have a backup plan if you're prone to allergies. "I also think it is important that if you have a risk for a severe allergic reaction [from foods or bee stings] to have a backup plan for feeding your baby should you have to take Benadryl in an emergency situation," suggests Hux. "For instance, it is good to begin pumping and storing breast milk as soon as you can or have formula on hand for emergencies."

Breastfeeding-Safe Alternatives to Benadryl

Benadryl is not the only way to address your seasonal allergies. Here are some safe alternatives for treating your allergy symptoms that will have less of an impact on you, your baby, and your breast milk.

Claritin

Claritin, also known as loratadine, is a second-generation medication that is safer to take than Benadryl, which is a first-generation medication. This means it is less likely to make parents feel tired or sedated.

"Almost every drug crosses over into breast milk and Claritin is no exception," explains Hux. "But it is a safe drug and it is not likely to cause any harm. So, if you have to take something orally for allergies, that would be my recommendation."

Still, both Hux and Hess agree that taking antihistamines on a consistent basis while breastfeeding may not be the best course of action unless absolutely necessary (like when treating a severe allergic reaction.) Talk with your health care provider to determine what is right for you.

"Every situation is different," says Hux. "Most of the time when it comes to drugs, you have to weigh the risks and the benefits and then make a decision."

Saline nasal sprays

Some health care providers and lactation consultants recommend saline nasal sprays as an option for treating allergy symptoms because they are safe and easy for nursing parents to use.

What's more, saline nasal sprays can be effective at rinsing pollens from the nose before they can cause allergy symptoms.

"If you get a cold or if your allergies are bothering you, talk to your health care provider or call a lactation consultant," suggests Hess. "Overall, you can take Tylenol and use a nasal spray for allergies or a cold. This is a much safer way to treat your allergy symptoms than taking an antihistamine."

Eye drops

Typically, eye drops that are designed for cold- or allergy-symptom relief, are safe for lactating people to use as well, says Hess.

In fact, eye drops may work better than antihistamines when it comes to allergy-related eye symptoms.

Ultimately, eye drops can help with dryness, redness, itching, and even watering. Like nasal sprays, eye drops allow you to treat your allergy symptoms without taking medication orally.