can i take anything for allergies while bf?

MayBride2B2007

i'm dying.  i've been miserable all day but am now so congested and itchy eyed i can't take it any longer.  i'll never sleep tonight since i'm so clogged i can barely breathe.  i know this is allergies and not a cold. 

what, if anything can i take and still be able to BF?

chris21

The LC that runs my mother's group told me last week was Claritin the regular not the D.  I hear ya on the allergies.  GL I hope you get some comfort soon

sdkrlm

YES! 

Our Pedi recommended claritin - he said it's not as drying up as other allergy meds (especially zyrtec).  Also Benedryl is safe

Any antihistamine/allergy meds may have a tendency to reduce your milk supply though so make sure you offset it by drinking extra water or maybe using fenugreek.

or - you can use nasal sprays too

MayBride2B2007

of course, this is happening when my supply sucks, but my meds for that just arrived today so hopefully i can combat it.  i may need to run out and get claritin. 

thanks!

sdkrlm

try regular saline spray too.

justgnat

sdkrlm:

YES! 

Our Pedi recommended claritin - he said it's not as drying up as other allergy meds (especially zyrtec).  Also Benedryl is safe

Any antihistamine/allergy meds may have a tendency to reduce your milk supply though so make sure you offset it by drinking extra water or maybe using fenugreek.

or - you can use nasal sprays too

I was told not to BF while on benadryl. Not for 12 hrs after my last dose. by both pedi and ob

MelissaSue81

justgnat:

sdkrlm:

YES! 

Our Pedi recommended claritin - he said it's not as drying up as other allergy meds (especially zyrtec).  Also Benedryl is safe

Any antihistamine/allergy meds may have a tendency to reduce your milk supply though so make sure you offset it by drinking extra water or maybe using fenugreek.

or - you can use nasal sprays too

I was told not to BF while on benadryl. Not for 12 hrs after my last dose. by both pedi and ob

The waiting 12 hours for BFing on benedryl doesn't make sense.. Its safe to take when pg.. why wouldn't it be when BFing? but like the  PPs said.. it can definitely dry you up.. I am going to try to avoid it while i am BFing

damissus

I've done acupuncture for allergies and it helped.  It was pre-baby but if you want to be super-cautious...