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Is It Safe to Take Benadryl™ While Breastfeeding?

Lindsey Rivas
Lindsey Rivas

Taking Benadryl™ while breastfeeding is considered to be safe in normal doses, although it is best for mothers to consult a doctor prior to use. The manufacturer errs on the side of caution and recommends that women avoid the medication while breastfeeding because it is excreted in breast milk and newborns are particularly sensitive to the effects of antihistamines. Studies have shown, however, that the effects on infants do not occur in most cases or are usually rather mild. Taking Benadryl™ while breastfeeding can have unwanted side effects on the mothers, such as reducing their breast milk supply and causing drowsiness.

Since it is an antihistamine, many women want to take Benadryl™ to control allergies. It blocks the effects of histamine in the body and is used to treat allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, and watery eyes. Some might use it as a sleep aid as well. Women who are breastfeeding should consult a doctor prior to using Benadryl™ or the generic form, diphenhydramine. In some cases, doctors might recommend using other allergy medications such as fexofenadine or loratadine, which are generally milder in terms of side effects.

Women who are breastfeeding should consult a doctor prior to using Benadryl.
Women who are breastfeeding should consult a doctor prior to using Benadryl.

Typically, taking Benadryl™ while breastfeeding is considered to be safe in low doses or with occasional use because only a small amount passes into breast milk. Studies show that with minimal use, infants experience few or no effects from the Benadryl™ in breast milk. Some side effects can affect breastfed infants when the mothers take high doses or use the medication long term, however. Effects on the infant include irritability, colic, and drowsiness.

Using Benadryl while breastfeeding may cause a baby to experience drowsiness and irritability.
Using Benadryl while breastfeeding may cause a baby to experience drowsiness and irritability.

Although it is generally safe for women to take Benadryl™ while breastfeeding, there are side effects that might interfere with breastfeeding itself. Benadryl™ can reduce the breast milk supply, especially during early postpartum when the milk is not well established. High doses of the medication can decrease the levels of the hormone prolactin, which is necessary for breast milk production. Women can possibly prevent this from happening by taking a single dose of the drug at night after the final breastfeeding session of the day. Once breastfeeding is well established, this side effect is diminished because the infant's sucking keeps the milk supply steady.

The benefits of taking Benadryl while breastfeeding must be weighed against the risks.
The benefits of taking Benadryl while breastfeeding must be weighed against the risks.

In addition, there are several other side effects on the mothers that can occur when taking Benadryl™ while breastfeeding. Women might feel extremely drowsy or dizzy. It can also cause headache, dry mouth, and difficulty urinating. If the side effects become bothersome or hinder breastfeeding, women should consider switching to a different type of antihistamine.

Discussion Comments

ysmina

@bear78-- I agree with you. The key is using the medication only when it's necessary and taking the lowest dose possible.

Benadryl has several different ingredients and my doctor actually advised me to take an allergy medication with one ingredient while breastfeeding if I can. I think medications with multiple ingredients cause more side effects, but sometimes it is necessary for issues like allergies.

Something else to keep in mind is that the manufacturer does not recommend the use of the drug while breastfeeding. So they carry no responsibility if something goes wrong.

bear78

@dlljohn-- I'm not a doctor and if you can ask your doctor that would be great.

I think that Benadryl in small amounts is fine during breastfeeding. If you take a high dose, your baby might experience drowsiness and other symptoms. It will also cause a reduction in breast milk because of the effects of the antihistamines.

If you take a small dose though, you and the baby will not experience much side effects. Just make sure to take it right after breastfeeding so that the medication does not mix into breast milk in large amounts.

ddljohn

My allergies are killing me and my doctor's office is closed so I can't call and ask about Benadryl. I am breastfeeding and I'd rather not take any medications but I don't think I can get through the night with my symptoms. I have all the allergy symptoms right now, non stop sneezing, runny nose and eyes. Some say Benadryl is okay, while others say it's a bad idea. I'm not sure what to do.

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    • Women who are breastfeeding should consult a doctor prior to using Benadryl.
      By: WavebreakMediaMicro
      Women who are breastfeeding should consult a doctor prior to using Benadryl.
    • Using Benadryl while breastfeeding may cause a baby to experience drowsiness and irritability.
      By: Vanessa van Rensburg
      Using Benadryl while breastfeeding may cause a baby to experience drowsiness and irritability.
    • The benefits of taking Benadryl while breastfeeding must be weighed against the risks.
      By: Svetlana Fedoseeva
      The benefits of taking Benadryl while breastfeeding must be weighed against the risks.
    • Mothers who take high doses of Benadryl while breastfeeding are more likely to have babies who suffer from colic.
      By: Galina Barskaya
      Mothers who take high doses of Benadryl while breastfeeding are more likely to have babies who suffer from colic.
    • Benadryl may be used to treat sneezing and other allergy related symptoms.
      By: jovanmandic
      Benadryl may be used to treat sneezing and other allergy related symptoms.
    • Benadryl™ may reduce milk supply in breastfeeding women.
      By: Anatoly Tiplyashin
      Benadryl™ may reduce milk supply in breastfeeding women.