Zyrtec and Breastfeeding

It could have played a part. Milk supplys tend to be better with second babies anyway. Also, different allergy meds work with different anithistamines, so perhaps once supply is well established you can try something differnet. Claritin works well.

Zyrtec is an antihistamine. All antihistamines have a general "drying" affect, in most cases the significant effect is in the sinuses resulting in the reduction of the most common allergy symptoms. Possible side effects are a result of unintentional drying properties....dry eyes, constipation, reduced milk production. You might try lowering your zyrtec dose if you are taking 10mg, try 5mg or talk to your doctor about if there is a preferred otc antihistamine for you to try that might have a shorter time of action like 6 hours vs 24 hours with the zyrtec. Maybe something the body eliminates more quickly would have a lesser impact on your milk production. Good luck

As far as Zyrtec, it has a drying agent, and that can dry many fluids in the body... not just the nasal passages and sinuses, and could have certainly played a part in your breastfeeding supply. If you speak with a lactation consultant, most will tell you that until your supply is established, it can be tough to produce with pumping only. The best demand is created by the baby, and not a pump. In the first few weeks postpartum, it's best to try as often as you can to put the baby to your breast and have them latch to establish a supply. If you want to have milk storage, one solution to bild a supply is to pump on the other side while the baby is nursing (their stimulation causes a let down (or multiple let downs) and you would then get more milk than pumping alone). If, for whatever reason, you cannot nurse the baby, and only pump, that too could have an effect on your supply. It also depends on if you are feeding on a schedule (or pumping on a schedule) instead of feeding on demand (which has been known to diminish and eventually dry up a milk supply).
In response to someone that said Dr.'s would not give you something that would harm you or your nursing baby, that's not always the case, because many Dr's are not completely versed in what is safe or not safe while breastfeeding. It is ultimately your responsability to find out if what you are taking would get into your milk supply and get to your baby, even in minimal amounts.
I wish you much breastfeeding success with baby #2!

My doctor took me off the zyrtec while I was pregnant and because I also nursed I still couldn't take it. so from I what i was told don't take while nursing and/or pregnant

While taking Zyrtec while breastfeeding is relatively safe for the baby, it can suppress milk supply. Many cold and allergy meds have that effect. I believe Alavert (active ingredient Loratadine) is an alternative that has been proven safe and doesn't seem to affect supply. But be sure it isn't Alavert D-12 - it has Pseudoephedrine that has the drying effect. I checked this info in my "Medications and Mothers' Milk" reference book. While I am not a certified lactation consultant, I am a Breastfeeding Counselor with our local WIC office. I hope this is helpful, and good luck with baby # 2! Your dedication to breastfeeding is wonderful! Your babies will benefit so much from all the good stuff in your milk! Your son already has such an advantage from 5 months of breastmilk. :)

I'm sure all meds have a different reaction in people.
I took Zyrtec while pregnant and while nursing. I extended bf my daughter for 3 years. :o)
You weren't taking Zyrtec D were you??
I talked to SEVERAL people about the safety of taking it while prego & nursing & the big thing I was told was not to take D, just the regular one.
I'd definately try bf with your next child too. No harm in trying. Try not to get frustrated. Relaxing peacefully will help you and your child. Take the bf to a quiet room where you are both comfortable so you can both relax, until you get things established.
Pumping did NOT work for me.
I hope you are more successful with child #2. It is heartbreaking when it's something you really want to do.
Put your mind to it & think positively. Wishing you luck. :o)
*hugs*

My husband is a physican and he would tell you talk with your doctor. Your doctor is not going to give you anything that would harm you or child (knowingly). I also took Zyrtec while pregnant and tried breastfeeding. If you had a good consultant she would have told you every woman is different. I had problems with milk production and my son had latching problems. I also ended up pumping and could only breastfeed for 6 weeks. It all depends on your body and its production. I am a historian by trade and know that not all women a long time ago could breastfeed or wanted too, that's why there were wet nurses. So, don't feel bad about it! Just love your child no matter how he is fed! He's just glad his tummy is full and that you could provide him with food!

Yes, there are meds that will affect your supply. My friend was on a cold and sinus med, to dry things up, and it did. Her milk supply went way down. There are lots of things that affect your milk supply. I breastfed both my children for 6 months. My son who is 5 is not a good sleeper. He had a period of time were he got up 3-5 times a night! I was'nt getting any sleep between him and a newborn. It affected my milk supply. You just have to do your best. They say you make enough milk for your baby. I felt both times that I just was'nt making enough to keep them satisfied. I think there are some women who do produce more than others. I used the mothers milk tea. It helped...a little. I hope I could be of some help.
T.
Jasper,IN.

Hello,
I was on zyrtec daily during both my pregnancies and while breastfeeding. I did not have any problems producing milk. I nursed my first son until he was 21 months and started verbally demanding to nurse and even told me what side! I nursed my second son until he was 15 months and quit. Both boys gained 1 1/2 pounds their first 2 weeks of life. So, at least for me zyrtec definantely did not diminish my copious milk supply. Don't give up on trying nursing with baby #2. I have a girlfriend who had great difficulties nursing her first baby, a boy, but no problems nursing her second baby, a girl. Good luck and bless you for pumping for 5 months!

Could be... anything with any kind of decongestant in it could be drying to all body fluids, including breastmilk. I'm surprised your LC didn't ask you about any kind of drugs you were taking. With baby #2, I'd definitely bring a list to your first session!

Not sure on that specific issue.....but you NEED to look into all the lawsuits that are Zyrtec related. One of the gals in the gym is an insurance agent for attorneys and called a couple of weeks ago about it. She was in "panic mode" to say the least.

Realize this effects BOTH of you. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS do your homework when it comes to side effects of ANY medication. DONT take your doctor's word for it. Believe me.....they DONT do their homework. They just listen to the pharmaseutical rep who's trying to sell the meds!

There is a good book for reference called 801 Prescription
Drugs. It will tell you what the possible side effects are, what NUTRIENTS ARE DEPLETED as a result of taking the drugs, etc. Maybe, on top of the other issues that are related to Zyrtec, this might very well be one. GET OFF NOW!
I'd find another alternative!

Talk to your doctor. I had the same problem. Turned out my thyroid hormone levels were too low. That decreases your milk supply/prevents milk from "coming in". It is disturbing that the lactation consultants were not aware of this, as it can affect many other health issues as well. Be sure to tell your doctor you are taking the antihistamine so they can give you a safe one while pregnant and nursing.