Zoloft and breastfeeding

**monkeygirl39** · 03-02-2008 08:04

I have just been diagnosed with PND an put on 50mg of Zoloft. I am just wondering how much passes throught the milk to bub. Is this going to effect bub the same way it is suppose to help me?
Has anyone found Zoloft has helped them with sleep/insomnia?
What meds have worked for sleep?

**punkbaby** · 03-02-2008 08:19

i was pregnant and BF on zoloft with dd3 and i was taking it for 6 months throughout my last pregnancy. As far as i could see dd3 didnt even notice, she didnt change her feeding pattern or sleep pattern at all. Did you raise your concerns about it passing through milk with your GP? I would have a chat to them about it but it is safe to take.

I found that for the first 4-6 weeks i didnt seem to sleep to well, this was only my experience though, everyone is different

i had a dry mouth and headaches for the first few weeks as well too. After about 6 weeks though once it had really kicked in i felt that i could sleep again the side affects were gone, i do know though that i still had that dry feeling in my mouth a little longer. I took magnesium to help me sleep first up to maybe ask your gp about this if you have any problems sleeping

Hope they kick in soon, you will notice how much better you feel when they do

**reAllytee** · 03-02-2008 11:55

There are only a few anti-d's that have minimal transfer to bubs through bm & Zoloft is one so you are safe especially being on a low dosage.

The meds will help with sleeping issues but as PB said you have to give it time to kick in. Most meds take at least 6wks to really kick in so try to be patient through this period as hard as it is.

If you feel that you need more help have a chat with your g.p about sleeping tablets although im not sure they are safe while b/f so maybe a natural alternative is the best.

Good luck i hope things settle soon.

**erinjacob** · 05-02-2008 15:18

some will still pass thought ur milk i was on it for 4 days an couldn't stand it i went crazy seeing things and couldn't sleep for 4 days i stopped it and went on saint johns warts which is natural but not tested on breast feeding so not recommended by doctors

**monkeygirl39** · 05-02-2008 19:35

Thanks everyone for the info.My next question is did anyone feel bad side effects.
I have only been on it for three days and felt terrible yesterday arvo and nite.
I got hot all over, got an bit of blurred vision and felt nausea. Kinda feeling like a bit faint.
I'm just wondering if it has all creept up on me over the past ,onths and I am just exhausted or is the zoloft?
Has anyone else has this experience on zoloft or is it just months of exhaustion?

**erinjacob** · 05-02-2008 19:50

i felt like that i hated it i felt better being depressed that bein on those things i lasted 4 days then couldn't do it. to start with the doc put me on 2 tablets a day then after 2 days of lit rely goin crazy i went back an they said it should hav only been half tablet then slowly increase but i still hated it. good luck apparently it goes. i found changing my diet life style and asking for help, and taking natural drugs.

AM · 05-02-2008 19:58

The meds can really knock you around for the first fews days/weeks, so hang in there, hopefully zoloft is the right one for you, and things will settle down in a little while. Sometimes meds will need to be upped, or you will need to change to another one, but don't give up hope, if things are not improving after 2 weeks or so, tell your doc, and get something changed, and keep talking to your doc until they get it right.

According to www.kellymom.com zoloft is the best breastfeeding friendly med, then Paxil, then citalopram.

All the best

**taurusmum** · 08-02-2008 08:26

Zoloft is meant to be one of the safest for b/f- I was on effexor before but got changed over to Zoloft during my pregnancy. No side effects but I been on meds for a couple of years prior- Effexor really knocked me around with side effects the first month of taking it then I was okay. I plan to change back when I finish b/f as Zoloft seems to help the depression side of things but not the GAD. Zoloft isn't intended to help with sleep, but you might sleep more easily if you aren't worried about other things so much.

Good luck, hang in there

**NRG75** · 14-02-2008 22:26

Hi Monkey girl 39
About 4 yrs ago i was recommended by my doc to take 1/2 tablet of zoloft a day for PND. It was around the time my marriage broke down. i just felt that i couldnt cope being young (i was in my mid 20's) and having a 3yr old to raise. the whole 'becoming a single parent' thing was so scary and daunting. i felt overwhelmed (i think i also suffered from panic attacks). i saw a psychologist who explained cognitive behavioural therapy to me. i can honestly say that learning about CBT changed the way i think about things when i felt down. it helped me see things in a new light. thank goodness i was only on zoloft for about 6 mths and managed to gradually wean myself safely off them. i have never been on them since. i believe CBT, together with a balanced nutritional diet is the way to go. maintaining a positive attitude and regular exercise can help too. also knowing you have support out there, be it family or friends definitely helps.

i hope it all works out for you.