i had raging hay fever when i was pregnant and did a lot of research (i'm a health researcher by profession), and found that it's best to avoid allergy meds altogether while pregnant and i assume that is also true for breastfeeding. the allergies won't last forever, and the meds aren't worth the risk. there is nothing that is for sure perfectly safe, because the manufacturers cannot test their products on pregnant or nursing women--who would sign up for that experiment? some "experts" say that maybe it would be OK to take the older allergy meds, the ones that had been around for years, like benadryl, b/c in all those years the industry has had a chance to figure out if they caused any damage to kids--the way they figure it out is after the fact, getting sued by parents. in the research world this is called a "natural experiment." you don't want to be part of any experiment. claritin is definitely too new; claritin d has sudafed and sudafed is definitely out (methamphetamine can be made from sudafed). i found that it's probably OK to use certain nasal sprays that will reduce the allergic reaction to the pollen in your nose, but not ones with steroids in them. the one i've used, only in real emergencies, is nasalcrom. it helps. other things that really help are to regularly flush your eyes, nose and throat with warm water-- if you can stand it, a neti pot that gently pours warm slightly salty water through your sinuses can really help clear the allergens. good luck!
I have terrible allergies and i took both Claritin and Benadryl while breastfeding. My kids had no reactions or issues. Doctor said it was ok.
Benadryl has been around forever and is probably the safest. They would know about long term effects etc. because of how many years people have been taking it.
LOVE the kellymom.com site! Here's a link again in case: http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/cold-remedy.html
And also check out Dr. Thomas Hale's forum (author of Medications & Mothers' Milk): http://66.230.33.248/discus/messages/44/44.html?1204229060
Just wanted to clarify that not all meds that are ok to take during pregnancy are ok for BFing, and vice versa.
Good luck! HTH!
Adrienne
Sudafed can be a dangerous medication. It causes elevated adrenaline levels. Is your problem congestion or itchy eyes and watery nose? For eyes and nose, the best thing to take is a mild antihistamine like Claritin (or generic equivalent). You should be able to get solid answers to this question from your pharmacist.
Hi. I have heard that if you eat local honey that it will take care of any allergies you have. The reasoning is supposed to be that they carry all the pollen from local trees, plants, flowers, weeds and grasses so when you eat it your getting all of that and it's kind of like getting allergy shots. I haven't done it (but should but I hate honey) so I don't know if it works. But that is completely natural and safer than any medicine for you. Babies cannot have honey until they are 1 or 2 yrs old though. Also I'm not sure how much you need to eat or how long it takes to work. There is a Bee Keepers store on X street and 21st (?) Street near Broadway. I don't know of any other and I don't know the name. sorry, I hope this was a little helpful.
Bonnie,
I swear by a natural remedy: saline sinus rinse. You can buy it almost anywhere: Walmart, Longs Drugs, Walgreens, etc. It will run about $10 and there are somewhere around 50 saline packets. Pick yourself up a bottle of distilled water to fill, rather than boil, the water. I recommend heating the water for about 30 seconds in the microwave as the warm water works better than the cold water. Some people don't like the feeling of the water up their nose, but about 90% of the people I've told love it! It will wash the allergens that get up your nose out so that you no longer are having reactions to them. It is 100% safe for a breastfeeding mom. I love the stuff! Good luck.
Jackie
Hi Bonnie,
You should always consult a physician before taking anything, that said you can definitely take Benadryl. It will make you sleepy but it with help block the histamines.
Good luck,
Vanessa
I did not read all of the responses, so if this was already said, I apologize. I am not sure which ones are ok...BUT you have to be careful because Sudafed will reduce your milk supply. I know that a lot of the cold medicines will do that. So, if you want to continue breastfeeding, I would check with the pediatrician to see what is ok.
Good luck and I hope you find something to help!
Stephanie
Hi Bonnie.I use all natural NON TOXIC safe products for allergies.Will not effect your milk, the baby etc.
My # is 650-508-8177, we can chat if youd like. I am a wellness consultant and would like to help, My grandchildren and my son and daughter in law use these items with wonderful results as they do not take any pharmicuticals or synthetics. Kaiya Storm :})
Hi Bonnie! NO!! Don't take any of that! You should not NEED to take medications for allergies! Even with these high winds we're having recently! I'm a Certified Nutrition Consultant, in Petaluma. I specialize in Nutritional Support For Health. AND i have a passion for the well-being of children! If you are getting adequate healthy uncooked fats (oils) in your diet, you should be able to eliminate allergic responses to most allergens (pollens, pets, etc.). As a member of MAMMASOURCE, If you contact me, (by phone or email at [email protected]) I'll give you a no cost half hour phone consultation. Meantime, eat avocados (1/2 to 1 whole daily), Olive Oil (virgin/cold pressed, organic), take vitamin E Supplementation (400 IU's daily) and either eat plenty of fish (cooked at low temperatures - 'low and slow'), or take Omega 3 fish oil supplements. Flax seed, or flax oil supplements are a goodway to get the healthy oils too! Healthy fats and oils will help to cleanse away any cholesterol deposits from cooked fats and oils too! It should NOT be necessary to expose your baby to any of these medications or pharmaceuticals! What you need is ALL available through a healthy dietary approach, and you'll be SO much happier without the allergies! Marilyn Clevenger, CCHT, CNC Office Phone: 707 769-1211
No, not sudafed. Only claritin (not Claritin D),AKA Loaratadine at Sams Club or Costco or benadryl. And, yes tylenol. Just not too much, it causes kidney problems. I would try natural remedies as well. Also put 1/2 tsp betadine (can get at oharmacy), 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp baking soda in one cup of water and irrigate your sinuses!
Good luck, I still have to take claritin. I am a nurse and I have asked a physician.
After suffering with allergies for 18 years and having countless sinus infections and being on a ridiculous number of med's for years, I finally took the advice of my allergist and tried nasal irrigation (it sounded too gross and I just didn't want to do it). It TOTALLY WORKS!! Buy a Neilmed kit at any drugstore (not the netipot - the squeeze bottle) and use it. It's amazing!! And no drugs!
Decongestants and antihistamines can have a negative effect on breastmilk production, so I wouldn't...
The prescription nasal sprays are the safest from what I've read, and won't affect your supply. I have used Nasonex when I need to with no ill effects at all.
The best source for safe medications when breastfeeding is the Hale's guide. I think it's called "Medications and Mother's Milk".
I can share an awesome product with you that is great for allergies! It is called Genesis and it is 100% juice. It can be of great benefit to you for many reasons. I know of people who have suffered with allergies who have been very pleased with the results they get with Genesis. It has no negative side effects, safe for everyone (babies too) and has helped many to get effective results for many, many health needs. One of my family members who has suffered with asthma emergencies, has been stablized and improved since she started on Genesis.
You can check it out at www.symmetrydirect.com/dhendon
One ounce of Genesis provides the benefits of a whole bottle of wine (without the alcohol), a whole pomagranate, aloe vera, apple and 15 other infused herbs. It is an awesome product! We love it! It also helped my husband to get through chemo therapy for colon cancer and recover quickly.
Please don't hesitate to call me with questions after you visit my website. Check out the 3 videos on Genesis and the scientific info. You have everything to gain and nothing to loose!
Victorious Living to you!
Donna Hendon
916-736-2096
www.symmetrydirect.com/dhendon