stopping bfing and depression?

[MissChief]

having recently stopped bfing my toddler in order mainly to be able to take st johns wort or similar, I've actually been feeling a lot worse. I stopped about 2 1/2 weeks ago (at which point I started the SJW which I know takes a few weeks to kick in) and aside from the huge guilt and missing the closeness of the feed, I feel 10x worse! Incredibly tired, incredibly low. I'm wondering whether to start bfing again - LO wants to still anyway. I was only feeding him 1x a day anyway. I just don't want to go thro all this again though but can't carry on as I am. Should I persist and wait for the SJW to have effect in a couple of weeks? Anyone experienced this?

[orangehead]

bumping for u. hope u ok

[MissChief]

thanks, I@m getting there. Hormones still raging though!

[black31cat]

Hi,
Can't offer any advice, but just to let you know I'm going through the same thing. My DS is 7 months but I had to give up breastfeeding because I needed medication for another medical condition and it isn't safe to take while bf. I've been a complete mess since I stopped, I feel like i've failed him even though i held out against taking the drugs as long as I could. I miss the closeness so much, and DS has become constipated and his excema has flared up. I feel so guilty and like i've failed him. On top of this my boobs are sooo sore. I've been battling PND and this has just set me back even further.
I'm so sorry, you came here asking for help and all i am doing is moaning, but i just wanted you to know you're not alone.

[daisyandbabybootoo]

No direct experience as my LO is only 15 weeks, but I have PND and am taking sertraline whilst BF. Apparently it is one of the safest SSRIs as the amount that gets through in your milk is miniscule. Could you see your GP and get an AD that is safe so you can continue with your BFing, or do you want to go down the natural route?

[fihi]

i am taking sertraline - fine for bf, been on it since dd was 2wks old shes toddler now. bf for as long as u and lo want to, and if it wud make u feel closer n calmer then do it!i've had fab support from assoc of post natal illness (APNI) for pnd - do u think that's: what u got?

[Haribosmum]

My doctor MADE me give up BF before she would give me ad's. This contributed HUGELY to my PND getting worse! I felt like I was weak and I had let him down.

[dressedupnowheretogo]

i started my ad's when my lo was 10 months old i started on 20mg then a week later i broke down completely and stopped bfing. my anxiety and panic attacks and depression increased from there on in.

3 months later im just coming out the other side

im sre the stopping breastfeeding made things worse but im glad i stopped in hindsight i feel so less restrained