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Original poster

Breastfeeding on anti depressants

17 replies

GinWithLemon · 17/12/2021 16:05

My GP has said it would be best for me to go on anti depressants to help. The issue is, I'd have to stop breastfeeding. My daughter is just over 1 and I don't think she's ready to stop, neither am I truthfully.

Google says sertraline is ok to take whilst breastfeeding apparently.

Has anyone else been in this situation?

OP posts:
Huy456 · 17/12/2021 16:08

Are you on hormonal contraception?

Original poster
GinWithLemon · 17/12/2021 16:08

@Huy456

Are you on hormonal contraception?
I have the Mirena. May I ask why you ask?
OP posts:
Huy456 · 17/12/2021 16:30

That's the worst type of contraception for causing anxiety and depression. So you have something in your body actively making you depressed. I would have that removed before taking antidepressants to cancel it out

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Badabingbadatinselbum · 17/12/2021 16:34

I breastfed on fluoxetine. Dd2 was a little younger than two when I started them, she was feeding a few times a day and I was on a high dose. GP was ok with it. Hormonal contraceptives suit everyone differently and the coil might not be the cause of your depression.

dangermouseisace · 17/12/2021 17:06

I’ve breastfed with paroxetine and sertraline. Sertraline was started the day I gave birth to my youngest, on psychiatrists advice. I breastfed til she was 15 months. She’s 11 now, very intelligent, happy, caring, no damage caused Smile

Fallagain · 17/12/2021 17:08

Look up the breastfeeding network. It was set by a breastfeeding pharmacist and it will give you all the info you need about meds and breastfeeding.

NC6789012 · 17/12/2021 17:10

I took paxoetine when BFing

theworldsgonefeckingmad · 17/12/2021 17:16

I took sertraline in the last trimester and breast fed until DD and as around 4 months. I was on 25mg so half a tablet a day while pregnant and then the dose was increased to 50mg after her birth.

I bf my oldest and felt like I had less milk with DD and she kind of stopped feeding although that may not have been anything to do with the tablets.

They saved my life and 100% I would take them again in the same situation. Love to you OP Thanks hope you feel better soon. My DD is now 4 and is completely normal

ThePontiacBandit · 17/12/2021 17:28

I took Setraline when I was BF. I had PND, DD was a Velcro baby with terrible reflux and it was all just too much…the Setraline stabilised my mood and we finally got medication for DD, it improved things for us all.
However I do concur with pp that the Mirena made my mood swings much worse and I was far better when that was removed.

Roundeartheratchriatmas · 17/12/2021 17:53

Who has told you you have to stop breastfeeding ? And was that in reference to a particular drug or just any of them ?

Original poster
GinWithLemon · 17/12/2021 18:12

Thank you everyone for your helpful replies and well wishes.

My depression stems from childhood and has come back with a vengeance thanks to having a baby during lockdown. Being alone with your thoughts is tough. I have had the Mirena prior to birth for nearly 5 years and had it put back in after so I don't think it would be related.

It's sertraline they've prescribed and they have said to stop breastfeeding. I've just had a look and this is the advice from the NHS. I've not collected the prescription yet so unsure of the dosage.

I'd like to add my daughter feeds maybe once a day, more like every other and it is more of a comfort than for milk but it's a very special bond for us.

Breastfeeding on anti depressants
OP posts:
Original poster
GinWithLemon · 17/12/2021 18:13

@Roundeartheratchriatmas

Who has told you you have to stop breastfeeding ? And was that in reference to a particular drug or just any of them ?
My GP and the partner of the practice also offered advise as she wanted a second opinion.
OP posts:
Pinkflipflop85 · 17/12/2021 18:28

You can breastfeed on sertraline (100mg or less).

SomethingBeginningWithX · 17/12/2021 18:36

I've been breastfeeding on Sertraline and have been constantly reassured by GPs etc that it's the best for BF as it doesn't affect the baby. It's been used by BFing mothers for decades with no ill effects.

I've also just had the Mirena coil fitted (today!) and the doctor said it was good for mood swings etc as the hormone is released locally rather than through the bloodstream...

I'm beginning to wonder if I am just really gullible Confused

Huy456 · 17/12/2021 18:58

The local hormone thing is rubbish I think, the uterus is vascular so the hormones are straight into your bloodstream.

There are undoubtedly some women that are completely unaffected by it, but for so many of my friends we've just accepted a level of constant anxiety that we don't question it. It's only once you're off it that you realise the impact. The mini pill was especially bad, is often given to women at the 6 week check and PND rates spike not long after. Ot just makes me so furious that women are treated this way

BlueistheNewme · 18/12/2021 09:05

I breastfed on sertraline. Baby was 10 months old, and fed until 22 months. He fed lots, and had been fine. The sertraline made life much better for me. I had anxiety and depression.

bgb21 · 13/10/2023 16:29

What was your experience with paroxetine??

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