Breast feeding and antidepressants

[trufflehumper]

Not truly an AIBU. Posting for traffic.
Not to drip feed. DD3 is 2.5 months. Had PND with previous 2 DC. Undiagnosed with DD1. ADs with DD2 a year or so after born. Stopped when found out pregnant with DD3. Feeling very low, empty, angry or nothing. Wish to ask for ADs but feel uncertain as BF. Any advice?

[MrsHathaway]

There are several you can take whilst bf. Do book an appointment with GP to discuss your options.

[BillSykesDog]

You can take several while breastfeeding. You can also stop bfing. Personally I have my doubts that the benefits of bfing outweigh the negatives of having a depressed mother. It's your call.

[Daffodils07]

There was two types I could take when I had pnd last year and was breastfeeding.
You need to speak to your gp to discuss your options.
And yes you can stop breastfeeding but if your happy and want to breastfeed why stop when there is Meds that woman with depression can still take?
Don't feel like you have to stop if you do not want to, but also do not feel that you have to breastfeed either.
Hope you get some support soon.

[acquiescence]

I'm sorry you are feeling this way OP. This is really one to take to the GP rather than a non-medical Internet forum. Good luck. You can ask to talk with a different GP if you are not happy with the advice you receive.

[BeyondUser24601]

There are quite a few you can take. Go and have a chat with you GP

[MirandaWest]

I took sertraline and breastfed DD

[MyHairNeedsASnip]

You can check on here www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/drugs-factsheets/
There's a helpline number too staffed by pharmacists if you want to make sure the info is up to date. Hope you get sorted with the GP.

[Sisinisawa]

I took sertraline while breastfeeding after the Breastfeeding Network pharmacist told me it was safe. No need to be ill or to give up bf but do try to get a talking therapy too. I had someone who visited me regularly till I was well plus my health visitor came to see me regularly and it really helped to know people cared about what happened to me. I was suicidal but made it through. It was tough but actually breastfeeding helped me remain connected to my baby and giving up would have been a really bad decision for me.

[leedy]

I BF on sertraline as well (and, like Sisinisawa actually found continuing to BF was helpful for my mental health - not saying that's the case for everyone, obvs). Definitely recommend talking to a GP, and hope you're feeling better soon. PND is vile.

[trufflehumper]

Thanks all for your advice particularly your own experiences. I have an appointment doctors and will re-enter into referral system for talking therapy. I was seeing someone before but ran out of free NHS sessions. I would like to continue BF but have to return to work in a couple of months so - having tried expressing and failing to keep up supply - will be going over to bottle feeding in day and BF in mornings and evenings. Hopefully ADs will alleviate these feelings... I need to.be there for other 2 DDs as well as baby. I dont feel like I am.being as good a mum as I could be right now.

[Pumpkinpie657]

All the best OP - I am sure you're being a great mum and seeking help will only make you even better. As PPs have said there are meds you can BF on if you wish to continue. good luck.

[AllllGooone]

I took them while bf, couldn't have coped otherwise.

[lillianhom]

Sertraline is brilliant.

[EsmeWeatherwax]

I took them while bf dd2 & ds, all absolutely fine. Also sertraline. Definitely try and go ahead, OP, and good luck. Xx

[trufflehumper]

Have been prescribed ADs. Will see how it goes. Takes about 4 weeks to begin working so should be well established by the time I return to work. Thanks again for all your kind words and advice.

[MsHooliesCardigan]

I work in perinatal psychiatry and our doctors prescribe Sertraline to loads of pregnant and breastfeeding women and I've taken it in pregnancy myself. It's really safe.

[trufflehumper]

Been given lofepramine. Contradictory info on web. Doctor says its safe for breastfeeding. Has anyone else used this one?

[BeyondUser24601]

I took, and still do take, lofepramine.
Ds2 is now 5 and I can confirm it has had no adverse effects :)

[allowlsthinkalot]

There are very few that are not ok to breastfeed on.

Sertraline or imipramine are documented to pass the least amount into breastmilk.

All four of my children have been conceived, carried and breastfed on an antidepressant. Firstly dothiepin, later imipramine and sertraline.

[allowlsthinkalot]

Sorry, I missed last post, OP. I would personally take it. There is nothing about lofepramine that would convince me otherwise. It is very closely related to imipramine which is the second least concentrated of that class in breastmilk.

[trufflehumper]

allow thank you. Just needed a little reassurance. Have a tendency to sink into guilt about ability to BF / expressing etc. as have had to return to work each time after a relatively short maternity leave and find BF quite tiring.

[trufflehumper]

beyond thanks also - that's really good to know.

[trufflehumper]

Just out of interest - would it be worth asking about Sertraline? I am guessing my Dr did not prescribe me this for a reason?

[CrohnicallyPregnant]

I was put on lofepramine first when I had PND and was breastfeeding.

I changed to sertraline when DD was 2 (and still feeding) because I was suffering with anxiety too and wanted to try a different class of AD.

The drugs fact sheet a pp linked to says that sertraline use in breastfeeding is 'off licence', that might have swung your doctor's opinion. But lofepramine is the drug that passes least into breast milk.

[Coughandsplutter]

I've been on citalopram 20mg per day before, during and after both pregnancies. I've had Consultant led pregnancies due to anxiety, depression etc and Consultant said I was better off on it. No evidence of problems with babies once born. Babies need happy and healthy mum so listen to your body.