My allergies have really started up this year 
I'm having a really hard time! I've called my doctor and pharmacist and they both said that I'm able to take Zyrtec or Claritin. Has anyone taken either of these while bf? Did it affect your supply at all?
Are there any other remedies that you know work that I could try? I've taken both Claritin and Zyrtec in the past and are "immune" to them but I'm willing to try them again because I'm so desperate!
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
Ugh, I'm sorry! I just suffered through last year because my OB and GP both told me NOT to take any allergy meds because they would dry up supply.
wonderful pomelo / 30692 posts
I'm sorry!!! I didn't take anything while BFing because I was afraid of how it would affect my supply! I just suffered through! Good luck to you! 
blogger / clementine / 998 posts
They may dry up your supply......What are your symptoms? I would use OTC ketotifen eye drops for red, itchy, watery eyes, and get a prescription for a steroid or antihistamine nasal spray for a stuffy or runny nose, or better yet, a neti pot.
cherry / 128 posts
@MamaMoose: @Adira: man! I just need to put my big girl pants on and suck it up, but its miserable!!
@Mrs. Chipmunk: The worst is the constant feeling like I need to sneeze/tickling which in turn makes my eyes water. It just makes me look like I feel. But I also have the sniffling/running nose and its moved down to a pretty good cough from all the drainage.
pomelo / 5073 posts
@walnutems: I take Claritin daily and it hasn't affected my supply. It doesn't really seem to touch my allergies, but it's better than nothing. I take that and I do allergy shots. I took Claritin the whole time I was pregnant.
Other things I do now since I can't take Allegra: shower as soon as I come home or switch clothes, nasal rinse, nasal saline spray, and allergen reducer spray on my bed linens. It's important to wash your hair at night because it will get the allergens out of your hair so you don't sleep in whatever makes you sneeze, etc.
cherry / 128 posts
@Adira: Thank you for that! I went to Barnes and Noble last night to see if they had Medications and Mothers Milk but it has to be special ordered but that's all I really wanted to see, so thank you!
grapefruit / 4278 posts
@walnutems: I've taken Claritin without affect on my supply. Just be sure it's regular Claritin, not Claritin-D which is a decongestant and can have a negative affect on supply.
cherry / 241 posts
I take Zyrtec on days that are really bad. Just make sure that it doesn't have the "d" on the end--that indicates it's a decongestant which will dry up your supply.
A good natural remedy LOCAL honey. I've been doing this for a few years and truly can see a difference!
cherry / 128 posts
@annie624: my sister-in-law told me this too. Where do you get it? Farmers markets?
wonderful olive / 19353 posts
I've taken Claritin numerous times and no affect on my supply. It's the decongestant that hurts your supply!
You can get local honey at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Central Market, etc. Sometimes, even the local stores will carry it!
clementine / 828 posts
I have taken Zyrtec and Flonase with no supply problems. My OB said either were fine for breastfeeding. Flonase works much better for me than Zyrtec. I have been taking allergy medicine for eight months of breastfeeding, with no supply problems. I took Benadryl once and I think it probably did hurt my supply, but just temporarily.
I can get local honey at a regular grocery store, Albertsons.
eggplant / 11408 posts
I'm on Zyrtec and Singulair year-round and non-functional without them. My milk came in with me taking them, and thus far we have had no issues. Though I'm only 12 days into BFing, so take that for what it is worth 
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