My allergies are going crazy!!! I am breastfeeding so my doctor recommended I not take my usual Zyrtec because it shows up in breast milk. I have been taking Benadryl and it isn't helping at all. Has anyone else dealt with allergies while breastfeeding, and if so, what meds did you find helped the best?
Hi S.!
I've used antihistamines even while breastfeeding. I'm not sure which I was using at the time, but it was either Zyrtec or Clarinex. Did you use the medicine when you were pregnant? If so, then breastfeeding while taking the medicine won't be any different than taking it when you were pregnant. My doctor said that the benefits from the medicine outweighed the slight risk to the baby. Good luck!
J.
I wouldn't use antihistamines because it will get in your milk, plus I would avoid pseudephrin or the main ingredient in sudafed and the like as it can dry up your milk. Believe it or not a chiropractor who does ariculotherapy (needless acupuncture) or acupuncture in one treatment can give significant relief. Also some chiropractors as well as some Dr's of Internal Medicine sometimes carry in their office a product called D-Hist. It is an all natural supplement that helps with allergies and one of the main ingredients in it actually is known as a nourishing herb in breastfeeding (nettles). It is safe to take while nursing. You may even be able to buy it from a local health food store or order it online. Also have you tried avoiding dairy? It can increase inflammation and make thick mucus worse, thus causing you more discomfort. By the way I do not have common seasonal allergies, but have had some other allergies that caused sinus headaches and sometimes blockages and infections and I have had great success treating them in the above ways. Even during the 4.5 years straight that I was nursing and or pregnant. I have 3 kids 1.5 yrs apart each and I nursed them for 16 months, 13 months and 20 months respectively. Good luck and I Hope you find some relief soon!
B. :)
I don't know if it will help but I take Tylonal Sinus when my sinuses start bugging me. I can't say I think I have actual "allergies" but spring through fall I get "sinus headaches" and the tylonal Sinus always helps get rid of them. My OB let me take it during my pregnancy but I don't recall taking it or it being an issue while I was breastfeeding.
I have allergies, and I used Flonase while breastfeeding my son when he was an infant, (as well as while preg) and it seemed to work really well. Now I take Claritin, which the ped. office said is safe to take while breastfeeding. The only problem is it can reduce your milk supply. I personally couldn't tell that my supply was reduced, but I am nursing an almost 2 yr. old, so it's OK with me if he nurses less. Just don't get Claritin-D, the decongestant part will dry you up for sure.
Hope that helps,
B.
