anti-depressants and breastfeeding?

[meeper]

hi, :wave:

is anyone out there who is taking any anti-depressants breastfeeding at the same time?

Dr said it would be okay, but just wanted to ask if anyone had experienced any effect on bub - like if he got less tired too and wanted to be awake all the time.... :eek: !!

[Tam-I-Am]

Yep, i'm taking Zoloft, 25mg, and breastfeeding. Have been taking it for about 6 months now. I haven't noticed ANY ill effects on DD. If anything, she's more settled, because I am.

Good luck.

[meeper]

Hi Mischief :wave:
The CHN referred me to the GP - shes going to phone me next week to check i went!

I am not sure about taking the meds either, wanted to be sure about BF bub for sure.
We have recently arrived in Brisbane so have no support here - the plan the Dr has is for me to take them until i can build up a friend network. she reckons they will help me get the motivation up to go out and make friends, if not and i lose the motivation then i wont be bothered - makes sense i suppose.

havent started them yet, want to wait until DH comes home tonight to see what he thinks.

do keep in touch to let us know what you decide.

[mamachops]

I've done a fair bit of investigation into this:detective: being of a medical inclination. Here's what I have found and the opinion that I've developed from it. It's a bit long and detailed, and feel free to PM me if you want any of the links for the articles.

There are a few antidepressants of the SSRI group that are used safely in breastfeeding (e.g. Zoloft, Paxil and Prozac). Zoloft probably has the best safety evidence, although all 3 are considered safe for use.

The reason I'm still undecided is this - this group of antidepressants (which are generally great for adult use and do not have weight gain as a side effect for most people) have only been on the market since the 80's, and while there is lots of research to prove that they are safe for infants during treatment, I have not found evidence that satisfies my concerns about mental illness or delayed effects in later life of those people who were exposed to SSRI's through breastfeeding when they were infants. (probably because it's impossible to know if it's environmental, biological or pharmacological)

Is that very confusing??

However, the decision to start antidepressants (or any medication) should be on a risk-benefit basis. ie, if the risk to mother and child of non-treatment would be greater than the very low risk of treatment, then you should go ahead. There is certainly good evidence that untreated maternal PND is damaging to the child (but I haven't read the actual research first hand).

I have also done a bit of literature review about the relative benefit of weaning from the breast in order avoid infant exposure to the antidepressant. There have not been any convincing comparative studies unfortunately, but having read the articles that the WHO have compiled their reports from, I personally feel that the overall benefit of breastfeeding after 4-6 months is not compelling enough to suggest that you should need to combine both if you are unsure or uncomfortable doing so.

I'm sorry that this is long-winded, but I wanted to share what I have been researching. I am in much the same position as yourself, and I wanted to know exactly why the WHO were recommending breastfeeding to 6 months and beyond ie, what my little one stood to gain from it over having a medicated, happy and well mother.

So in brief, i have come to the opinion that, unless the depression is severe and there is significant risk of harm to self or baby, that non-medication alternatives like counselling and positive lifestyle changes should be tried first, but with close supervision, and if little/no progress is being made, then antidpressants should be tried. By 4-6 months though (my personal opinion) would be to wean from the breast:eek: , although the available evidence certainly suggests you could safely continue. (and honestly, I'd really love to continue).

Ultimately the decision is yours, but it's nice to be able to make an informed decision.

Good luck. I think the gym is a great start, but re-evaluate in a little while.:hugs:

PS. These opinions are my own, based on a significant amount of literature review, but I would urge you to read them for yourself if you are so inclined. I would be happy to provide the links for anyone who is interested.

If anyone has additional info that might add to my base/answer some of my uncertainties, I'd love to hear from you too.;)

[misskittyfantastico]

I took 20 mg of Aropax through my pregnancy and take 30mg now and am still breastfeeding DD with no side effects for bub.