Breastfeeding and antihistamines

[JoT]

Hi, does anyone know whether I can take anything for hayfever at the moment. My baby is 6 months old and breastfed. I am not sure if I am allowed to take anything without contacting my GP so your advice would be appreciated.

Hi JoT, yes I think you can take homeopathic hayfever remedies. I remember doing this when I was b/feeding and suffering. I contacted Nelsons, and they made up a batch of pills for me for the things I was most allergic to. (Grass/pollens/house dust) and I found them to be really beneficial. I still take them now and have never gone back to presciption medicines. HTH.

I was prescribed Beconase (nasal spray) having always relied on Zirtec before pregnancy and b/f. But do check this with a health professional! Beconase worked well enough for me that year and my hayfever has dwindled to practically non-existent three years after ds was born. I hope yours goes the same way!

JoT, try this site: Kelly's AP . It's about attachment parenting, but has a very good section on drugs that are ok during breastfeeding. (It's a US site, so some of the drug names are different. The AAP referenced is the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

I've used the Benadryl non-drowsy formula and Pirotin under the advice of my doctor.

I took Piriton having discussed it with my best friend and her husband - both GPs. This was after the pharmacist had refused to sell me it, because I had said I was bf (I just went to a different chemist and didn't say I was bf).

My friends' comments were that it might make ds a little drowsy - but that the amount that he would be getting would be miniscule. I also knew I would only be taking it for an extremely short period (in my case I was buying it to go on holiday, in case I got an attack of prickly heat)and in the event I only had to take one tablet.

Gosh Bron, that is incredibly helpful! so I could probably have taken my beloved and effective Zirtec all that time...

Sorry to change tack slightly - does anyone know which antihistamine is safe to take while trying to conceive and during pregnancy? I would guess the homeopathic ones, but I wouldn't take it for granted that they are??

Jodee, I'm trying to concieve and asked my doctor that question, she advised me to make do with nasal spray and eye drops unless ABSOLUTELY necessary. The homeopathic ones that I looked at in Sainsburys said they must not be used if pregnant or trying to become pregnant

Thanks Paula1 - sounds like nasal spray is the only option - which I HATE! I go to a homeopathic doctor on occasion (when I can afford it) so I might give him a call.

JoT, I am in same situation (bf 7 month old dd with chronic hayfever, whole face swelled up at the w/e). Am now using a nasal spray, but also taking Piriton syrup for children - this is suitable for children over 1 year old and so even if a very small amount did go into the milk it is unlikely it would affect the baby. GP advised that it is fine to use Piriton adult strength) occasionally, just not everyday, so using the child formula seems like a good compromise although does make me horribly drowsy, although DD is perky as ever.

Yes, read your posting and am impressed by your contacts! However, the one thing that worried me was the way he'd spelt Zirtec (as 'Zyrtec'- is he definitely talking about the same drug or could this be something different. If it is the same, this is wonderful news as I am rather a large fan of Zirtec and pre-pregnancy and bf, it had never failed me.

Why has that weird winky man appeared on my message???? I don't mind winking at you, but it wasnt' intentional - how did I do it????

I have just caught up on this. I suffered horribly from a continued blocked nose during my pregnancy and was advised to avoid nasal spray as they contained steroids. This made life very difficult as I found it almost impossible to sleep. I wondered whether the nasal sprays Dr Hale refers to are similar to Otrivine and so on that are just decongestant's?. I would be really interested to hear if anyone has more information on their safety in pregnancy.