I have a patient who had copious colostrum during pregnancy (had to change her clothes due to dripping) and also could hand express colostrum easily on days 1 and 2. After using topical Benadryl on her back for itching, the baby became very sleepy, would not feed, wasn't jaundiced, and mother's milk virtually dried up over night. She could express less than 2 ml after using Benadryl cream twice on her back. There didn't seem to be any explanation for mother's milk going away except for loss of stimulation, and mother began pumping with a Symphony when baby refused breast. Still only 2ml of milk could be expressed. M&MM says only anecdotal info is available about Benadryl's impact on milk supply after it was established, but I'm wondering if there are any studies of Benadryl actually inhibiting LGII when given in the early postpartum days. I find that ALL mothers here who receive Benadryl (orally) before LGII go home without any milk and have attributed this to the Benadryl. Never have I seen this kind of result from topical Benadryl, but it makes sense. Any comments to add to this phenomenon?
Terri Lear, IBCLC
Terri Lear, IBCLC
Comment