Anti-depressents and breastfeeding

[fairmontmama]

Has anyone taken anti-depressents and breastfed?  I have avoided anti-depressents for a long time because I didn't want to feed my son them through my breast milk.  But he is over one year now and we are still breastfeeding.  I think it is time I go on anti-depressents for my my post partum depression.  Any thoughts?  I think I will be able to be a better mother with anti-depressents. I have suffered through depression pretty bad with my first baby.

I have wanted to be all natural but I just can't do it anymore. The sleep deprivation is getting to me.  My son is still nursing three times as night and waking me up so I really haven't slept regularly through the night in a long time.

[dejagerw]

Here's some great info on nursing and antidepressants. Hope you feel better soon!

http://www.kellymom.com/health/meds/antidepressants-hale10-02.html

[matty02]

Yes. There are some you can take and breastfeed. I started them when I was pregnant with my second child when I went on them and had to switch to one that was okay to use while breastfeeding. I am sorry you are feeling down but there is hope out there! Talk with your doctor and he or she will be able to help you with what options you have. (((hugs)))

[myk]

i've taken Effexor XR and Celexa while bfing. as far as i know all the SSRI antidepressants are a-ok!

[Heba]

Many mums breastfeed on anti-depressants.  In fact, sulpiride is used in several countries as a galactagogue!

In addition to the great link posted above by dejagerw, you might also like to look at this article: http://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/pdfs/Antidepressants_and_Breastfeeding_March_2009.pdf

*Hugs* and the very best of luck as you choose the best course of action for you and your little one.  Please do let us know how you get on.

xx

[fairmontmama]

what are ssri?

[fairmontmama]

The doctor put me on the generic for zoloft.  I've noticed a difference just in a week. Feels good to feel more engaged and better. But I still worry my baby is getting a small dose and I just hate that I had to take a pharmacuetical.  but what is the alternative - a depressed stay at home mom.

[Heba]

SSRIs are Selective Seratonin Re-uptake Inhibitors, a class of anti-depressants.  Sertraline (I believe this is what Zoloft is) is an SSRI.  There's information on them in the link I posted earlier. 

I'm really glad you're feeling better :).

xx

[myk]

yes, SSRI is selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor - a class of drugs meant to increase the level of serotonin in the brain. as far as i can tell they're the most commonly prescribed antidepressants. there's also SNRIs, which is serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (effexor is an example) which raises both serotonin and norepinephrine. other classes include MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) which are not as commonly prescribed because of many drug interactions, tricyclic antidepressants (eg. amitriptyline), norepinephrine/dopamine reuptake inhibitors (wellbutrin), and others. :)

i've taken effexor in the past, and am currently taking trazodone and celexa, both are approved for bfing (Hale rates them both as L2 - fairly low risk).