Postpartum Depression and Meds while bfing.

[nicoolmama]

Hi Mamas!

I am writing to get some advice. I was diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder after my 1st son was born 5 1/2 years ago. This was after my antidepressants weren't working and a BAD bout of PPD.

I got pregnant with my 2nd son in July of 2007- had him April 2008- nursed until he was 7 months old at which point I got pregnant again- had my 3rd son in August of this year and am breast feeding him.

I have been pregnant or nursing for the past two years and have not been on any meds bc of the lack of safety to my child.

I did well after the birth of my 2nd son, as far as mental health. Everything felt good. This time around...not so much.

As time goes on, I am noticing I am becoming a bitter, sad person. This is not who I normally am. I need to be taking something to help me. This is not working. I also want to continue breast feeding exclusively for the next 3 months until my son can start some solids and want to bf for a full year. I have thought I could just hold off until he is a year but am recognizing signs in myself that tell me otherwise- ie wanting to crawl in a cave and be alone, not wanting to be around my baby, feeling like even changing a diaper is overwhelming.

I have three boys and I am their primary caregiver- two of which are babies. My 2nd son is only 19 months and my husband has to work so I am looking for any natural reccomendations of medications that can help or medications with minimal side effects. I don't know what to do, any advice is appreciated!

[boobs4milk]

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/cgi-bin/d...s&access=guest

that's a link to dr. hale's website. you can't post but you can look up meds by class and see if they are safe. he's the author of medicine and mother's milk.

feel better!!!

[Heba]

Here's a link to the Breastfeeding Network's information on pnd drugs and breastfeeding: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org....March_2009.pdf

Hope it helps!

Heba

[lilysmama1124]

Just wanted to lend my support! I am not sure about meds for bipolar and nursing. I suppose it depends on the severity of your symptoms but I would reccommend talking to a doctor just to see what options you may have. I know that regular antidepressants can cause people with bipolar to have manic episodes so this may not be an option but I take Zoloft for depression and it is considered safe. I didn't use zoloft with my 1st and had horrible ppd/ppocd and started taking zoloft around 6 weeks after dd1 was born and it made a huge impact. This time around I stayed on during my pg and it was night and day...definately the right choice for me. Are you having manic episodes or just depression? Hang in there mama!

[nicoolmama]

:)

Thanks everyone!!

To answer your question, I am more depressed than manic. I have *small* bouts of being manic but I mostly hinge on the depressive side.

I am looking up psychiatrists that my insurance covers to start talking to someone more knowledgeable than myself about meds. I will also look at these websites.

Thanks again!