PND - medication or breastfeeding?

[heatherxo]

I've been diagnosed with PND.
The doctor suggested I take medication today, but said I can't whilst breastfeeding.
She said she thinks it would be best if I got the medication but also said its my decision and not to just stop bf-ing because she said so.
What do I do?
Oliver gets expressed breast milk (has done since birth) as he still hasn't latched, he's now 12 weeks
Should I stop and take the medication or should I continue and not take it?
Ahh!

There are medicines you can take whilst breastfeeding - there's a website you can check them on I think, I'll try and find it and link. I would check the medicine they're suggesting and also see if there are any alternatives.

The absolute best thing you can do for your son is to get well. If your doc thinks medication is the best way for that to happen definitely take it. You've done a great job breast feeding for so long and I'm sure it's done him the world of good.

Wishing you a speedy recovery

https://www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/detailed-information/drugs-in-breastmilk/ this was the info I was thinking of. There's a phone number you can ring to ask about specific drugs.

It doesn't have to be a choice between bfeeding or medication. There are plenty of anti depressants you can take whilst feeding.

Bfeeding network, lactmed? Are some places for info.

What meds did your Dr want to prescribe?

And massive well done with the expressing, that is bloody hard work. Ate you getting support with yhe expressing and bfeeding, take it you have tried nippple Shields etc.

You could always gradually transition over from breast milk to formula and cut down the expressing if you want to and cutting down gradually is better than just stopping, your poor boobs will get very sore otherwise.

Congratulations on the arrival of Oliver, sounds like you are doing a fab job, keep chatting here to get support. Pnd is awful but I promise you you will get better, I have been there myself, much love to you xxx

I'm not sure what she wanted to prescribe although a different doctor gave me Amitriptyline for migraines a few weeks ago...
She mentioned that the medication she wanted to give me doesn't say you can't take it when breastfeeding but it's advised not to as theres no evidence of it affecting baby or something along those lines x

You absolutely can do both. I had pnd with my son and breast fed him. To be honest his birth went the exact opposite to what I had wanted and bf was the one thing I clung on to that went 'right' and I needed it to help with the bond with my son as for a long time he didn't feel like he was mine. I was put onto sertraline 50mg when he was a couple of months old and managed to bf til he was 16months. He's almost two now and I'm just starting to taper off the medication. No drug company will declare its 100 percent safe for nursing mothers because they don't do drug trials on pregnant or bf women but sertraline is one of the safest to take for bf and there's is a minimal amount that is transferred through breast milk. I would ask your gp to do their research or get a second opinion xx

Another one here who bf for 12 months while on sertraline 50mg. No effects on daughter, and I was told that sertraline is routinely given to bf mums as it is considered to be as safe as it can be. As shattered says above, nothing can be declared 100% safe as no testing is done on pregnant or feeding women.

I have been prescribed Citalopram while breastfeeding rather than sertraline as Citalopram has worked for me when I had PND before (first son formula fed). This was on advice of the perinatal psychiatric doctors (I am seeing a psychiatric nurse). I could tell my GP was sceptical (Citalopram does pass into breast milk) but I spoke to a pharmacist at the medicines information line and it seems below 40mg there's no evidence of serious effecs and no evidence of long term affects after stopping. I have introduced 2 formula feeds to reduce the amount he's getting too. I may well transition to fully formula fed or just introduce an extra bottle feed. Not sure. I must admit it does worry me (anxiety is a big component of my PND anyway) but I'm seeing how things go.

I'm pregnant, plan to breastfeed and take Amytriptylene and Propranolol for depression and anxiety. 3 GPs, my Consultant, MW and Peri Natal Psych have all assured me it's completely safe.

There are absolutely options for taking anti-ds while bfing and I think it's shocking that GPs are still advising that there aren't.

Sertraline is usually the preferred choice but I also bf while taking Citalapram with the full approval of my obstetrician.

Hope you can get this sorted OP and start to feel a little brighter very soon.

I have just been prescribed setraline for pnd and am on day 6 of taking it. I tried to battle the PND but it wasn't working and wasn't fair to anyone around me, particularly baby, for me to not get medication as much as i didn't want to take it as I am breastfeeding. My gp said setraline is the best med for breastfeeding as the least passes through the milk. The perinatal mental health team at the hospital also said this was the one recommended if breastfeeding. I do feel better already even though I know it should take longer. I do seem to have some side effects which is mainly headaches :(

I'm taking Sertraline and breastfeeding. I didn't really want to take drugs while BFing, but something had to be done as I was going downhill fast. There are definitely options - good luck.

I took medication whilst breastfeeding for pnd, the gp said it might make baby slightly jittery and affect his nappies but i'm glad to say that no effects were noticeable and the medication was very effective at treating my pnd. So try and push for an alternative. i can't remember the name of it i think it began with a t i'm not sure.