Lexapro & breastfeeding

[secretgirl]

Hi.
Has anyone here any actual experience of breastfeeding while taking lexapro? I'm reduced to 5mg for my pregnancy but struggle a lot some days so am certainly not coming off it. I may increase the dosage after the birth if needed. I have had some truly awful times so I know I need to take care of my mental health more than anything. I'm really keen to breastfeed and will discuss with my gp next week but I'd really like to talk to someone with actual experience.
TIA

[ConvincingLiar]

No direct experience but I think la leche league have info on drugs and breastfeeding.

[secretgirl]

Ok thanks for the info. I'll have a look x

[Cath3081]

Hi, I'm on Lexapro too. I'm 11 weeks, and have reduced to 5mg since finding out I'm pregnant. I can't offer you any advice about breastfeeding, but I'm in the same situation as you. I'd like to go back up to 10mg after the birth to avoid post partum depression. I worry about the effects it could have on the little one, but from what I've read, it shouldn't be a problem. Only minimal amounts of the Lexapro make it into the breast milk. Of all the anti depressants out there, Lex seems to be the lesser of the evils.

[Scotmum83]

//www.facebook.com/breastfeedingandmedication

This page should help you, there is a pharmacist called Wendy Jones who is specialised in medication and breastfeeding. You should be able to contact her through the Facebook page. Hope that's of some use to you.

[secretgirl]

Thanks so much for the link Scotsmum.
Cath I hope everything goes well for you. I spoke to my gp and he told me not to breastfeed but I spoke to my consultant today & she said anything up to 20 is fine but to make sure and speak to the midwives etc after the birth. I too want to increase my dose to 10 after the baby is born. I am so petrified if not being in a good place after baby is born. I can't go back to where I have been in the past so I'll be looking after myself as best I can. I am due soon so I will try remember to come back to you

[catgee]

I'm currently 31 weeks and reduced my dose to 15mg once I found out I was pregnant. I think I would really have struggled to go any lower and still stay well mentally through the pregnancy. My GP and OB are both supportive of me breastfeeding at this doseage and I'm hoping to stay at the same level after the birth but will have to see how I go. I'm very conscious of being at an increased risk of PND etc.