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Doctor insist I should stop breastfeeding

1063 Views 29 Replies 28 Participants Last post by  tsfairy, 
tsfairy
This is related to PPD so feel free to move it if it doesn't fit here.

I saw a psychiatrist (MD) for the first time today. I've been seeing a therapist (LPC) for a couple of months now for mild PPD and severe anxiety. I've been resisting going to the shrink because I don't want to take meds, but I'm on disability from work and they will not continue my benefits unless I "pursue all treatment options" which basically means meds.

So I get in there, we talk for a few minutes, and then she says well you have PPD, so you need meds. I tell her I don't want to take meds because I'm BFing 8mo DS. She says well you just need to stop BFing then. She told me that he's already gotten all the benefit he will get from BFing by 6mo, and that his immune system is "fully developed" (her words) by that time, so it doesn't matter if I stop BFing. I pointed out that the immune system is not fully developed until at least 2 years, and that BM changes constantly to respond to baby's immunological needs, well after 6 months and beyond. She basically rolled her eyes when I said this! After much lecturing about how damaging depression can be, she finally sent me home with a video to watch, and wants me to come back in a couple of weeks.

It's funny, I walked in there today feeling fine and walked out depressed! Ok that's not really funny... I just can't believe the doctor's utter ignorance of BFing. Hello - even aside from the incredible nutritional and immunological benefits, I LOVE BFing and so does DS. We had a really rough start because he was very badly tongue-tied, and I'm so thankful that we stuck it out. I love that I can comfort him when he's cranky or sick - he had a stomach bug yesterday and has been nursing almost nonstop for the past two days. What would I have done without nursing?

I know PPD is a serious thing, but I really feel like I don't need to medicate myself at this point. I've been taking omega-3 (I forget the dosage but my midwife recommended it) and it seems to help. Also just being home helps - my job is incredibly stressful and being away from DS all day was making me, literally, crazy.

Sorry this is so long, but thanks for letting me vent! I would love any input on alternative BF-safe treatments for depression/anxiety, or what meds are the safest for BFing if it comes down to having to take them, because I am not planning to wean until DS is ready.
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A
Sorry I don't have a lot of advice, but I would approach it with her from the point of view of- I WILL continue to nurse, that is not up for discussion. I need you to help me with my PPD while I continue to nurse.

-Angela
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M
Well, I have GAD and I take meds for it. I've done it with all 3 of my 100% BREASTFEED BABIES!!! (fwiw)
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S
I take meds for depression/anxiety and am able to bf. There are lower-risk medications you can take, if it's necessary.
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S
Trust your instincts.
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M
You do not have to stop BFing to take meds for depression. But please go to see someone who is better educated on this matter. Dr. Hale recommeds Zoloft or Paxil for BFing moms suffering from depression. Basically the amount of medication that makes it into the breastmilk is virtually undetectible. So if you really need the meds, give yourself permission, your baby will be okay, esspecailly at 8m. You can check out Dr. Hale's website here
Dr. Hale has done the most research on medicaitons and mother's milk. If you want refer your dr to his work and ask him/her to review it.

I hope you get hte help you need.
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W
I'm British so i'm not clear on how things work over the water , i would like to say at five months old i had to stop bf my dd on the doctors advice and move her to her own room, all in the same day... this was because of ppd. DD is 12 months old now and i do see some benefits ( to my mental health at the time) but i also wish sooo much that i had gone with my instincts ( i didn't really know i had any options) and continued bf and to co sleep. If i have another baby i will be a lot more clued up and fight to keep off the meds a bit more. The problem as i see it is that we trust our doctors because we are not armed with all those years of medical knowledge ourselves, so you do what they say ... and me ... i often find out afterwards when it's too late that there may have been different routes to consider. Good luck with your decision, i hope you feel better in yourself soon x
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Quirky
There's also some evidence that bf can help ameliorate PPD so you are wise not to quit! I would find another doctor or else make this one spend some quality time at www.kellymom.com What an ignoramus she was! Good for you for standing your ground.
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D
Call LLL, a lactation center or the hospital LC department. Have them look up the drug in the book Medications and Mothers Milk and have them fax or copy the pages to you and your Dr.

You dont have to wean! They just dont know and are covering their ass. Franky, any dr. writing scrips...should have this book!

Mary
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W
I have ppd, and take effexor. I took it through my preg and now bf'ing. Ds is 11 mos old btw. I worked it out with my midwife and my ob when I first found out that I was preg. Her rationale was that the very small risk of being on the meds while preg were far outweighed by my need for the meds. Ds is developing fine, his growth is on track, and all is well, so I think your dr needs more education, I'd go to the next appt armed with all the info I could print out. Also, for an obviously caring mama, it would be more stressful to have to stop bf'ing and deal with the guilt that you would feel which would exacerbate your condition, not help it!
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bri276
I would consider reporting her to the medical board for rolling her eyes at you and for this inaccurate medical advice. Totally inappropriate.
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C
Quote:

Originally Posted by mosky22
You do not have to stop BFing to take meds for depression. But please go to see someone who is better educated on this matter. Dr. Hale recommeds Zoloft or Paxil for BFing moms suffering from depression. Basically the amount of medication that makes it into the breastmilk is virtually undetectible. So if you really need the meds, give yourself permission, your baby will be okay, esspecailly at 8m. You can check out Dr. Hale's website here
Dr. Hale has done the most research on medicaitons and mother's milk. If you want refer your dr to his work and ask him/her to review it.

I hope you get hte help you need.

Great information!
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T
I don't think you need to wean, but if you feel you want to continue to see a doc, I'd find a more breastfeeding doc.

You mentioned you don't know that you need medication. When my dd was around 6 months old, I started feeling kind of down, not anything major (in my opinion...I'm not a doc by any means!) but it was noticeable to me. I just didn't feel like going anywhere, doing anything, was feeling really bad about the baby weight, etc. AF returned around this time, too. It was suggested to me, by someone at LLL, I believe, that I try Evening Primrose Oil. Here's a link about it: http://www.kellymom.com/herbal/ref/h...veningprimrose

I started taking a small dose at the beginning of ovulation through the end of AF. I also pretty much made myself get some exercise almost every day (walking with dd). I was kind of skeptical, but I found that it did help, and I felt better. I don't know if it was the exercise or the EPO or what. If you're not crazy about taking meds, it might be worth a try.

But like other pp's mentioned, there are many anti-depression meds that are safe for breastfeeding. I hope you find something that works for you!!
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R
Zoloft is breastfeeding safe and is what I've heard recommended most for nursing mommas with PPD!

I took it and it worked great (I'm still happily nursing my three year old).
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W
I'm so sorry that happened to you.
s

I told a family practice doc I thought I was depressed when my dd was about 1 year. It was really hard for me to admit and ask for help. She also told me I'd have to quit nursing if I wanted her to do anything for me (meds) so I left without any help. Luckily I eventually started doing better (dd is now 4 yrs). I wasted my cry for help on that lady!

I hope you get the help you need!

~Tracy
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P
I take Lexapro for ppd and bf just fine. I also took it during pg. Ask her about it.
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paquerette
It sounds like to breastfeed or not to breastfeed is not the only issue here. Basically, your place of employment is trying to force you to take medication, and you don't sound very comfortable with being medicated. If they really want you to "pursue all treatment options" have they tried things like accupuncture, homeopathic workup, etc? Sounds like they have addressed nutritional issues at least somewhat, but maybe there are other things you can look at in that vein as well.
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E
I would try to find another doctor. There are those that would be happy to work with you to find a suitable medication. There are also psychiatrists that work with more natural remedies, such as vitamin supplementation and herbs that can be of help. There is a good, new book out called The Chemistry of Joy written by a psychiatrist that discusses treating depression (not necessarily ppd) with diet and supplements. Since it seems that you are not at present having severe depression, this might be an option IF you can find someone willing to work on it with you. However, PPD can be difficult to see in yourself so it can be important to find a counselor that you can trust to work with you. Good luck and (((hugs))) to you and that lucky baby of yours.
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Greenie
Quote:

Originally Posted by Raynbow
Zoloft is breastfeeding safe and is what I've heard recommended most for nursing mommas with PPD!

I took it and it worked great (I'm still happily nursing my three year old).

ITA!!
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sapphire_chan
Quote:

Originally Posted by doula mary
You dont have to wean! They just dont know and are covering their ass. Franky, any dr. writing scrips...should have this book!

Mary
Yep, one of the things I'll be looking for during pregnancy is a doctor who can actually support breastfeeding mothers. Any psychologist specializing in PPD should have multiple copies of the book.
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