Which statement about Benadryl and breastfeeding is correct?

Which statement about Benadryl and breastfeeding is correct?

• A. Irritability and drowsiness in the infant
• B. Increases milk production
• C. No effect on infant
• D. Causes permanent lactation suppression

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how certain medicines transfer into breast milk and affect a breastfed infant. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a first‑generation antihistamine that readily passes into milk and can sedate the baby. Because the infant’s nervous system is more sensitive, this can show up as irritability and drowsiness in the infant. That’s why this option is the best. If an antihistamine is needed while breastfeeding, a non-sedating option such as loratadine or cetirizine is preferred, or use diphenhydramine only if necessary and with caution (for example, after a feeding, at the lowest effective dose, and with monitoring for infant sedative effects). Other statements don’t fit: diphenhydramine is not known to increase milk production, and it does not cause permanent lactation suppression. It can affect the infant, primarily through sedation or irritability, rather than producing a lasting change in lactation.

The main idea here is how certain medicines transfer into breast milk and affect a breastfed infant. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is a first‑generation antihistamine that readily passes into milk and can sedate the baby. Because the infant’s nervous system is more sensitive, this can show up as irritability and drowsiness in the infant.

That’s why this option is the best. If an antihistamine is needed while breastfeeding, a non-sedating option such as loratadine or cetirizine is preferred, or use diphenhydramine only if necessary and with caution (for example, after a feeding, at the lowest effective dose, and with monitoring for infant sedative effects).

Other statements don’t fit: diphenhydramine is not known to increase milk production, and it does not cause permanent lactation suppression. It can affect the infant, primarily through sedation or irritability, rather than producing a lasting change in lactation.