Sertraline while BF

[Djockey101]

Hi everyone,
I’m a FTM and my baby girl has been diagnosed with a slight cardiac abnormality which will likely require monitoring for the rest of her life, which was discovered due to a heart murmur picked up at birth. She is nearly 6 months old and will have her next scan in a few weeks to see if anything has changed.
I am really struggling to accept this diagnosis. She means the world to me and I feel so sad thinking of the monitoring she will need to have and worry myself sick with the uncertainty of how things may change in the future.
I am seeing a therapist to help with anxiety but my GP has also prescribed sertraline 50mg to try. I have never been on medication before and feel really nervous about it, especially because I know you can feel worse before better and also because my baby is breastfed. I wondered if others who have been in similar situations weighed up the decision of whether to take meds, and what their experiences were?
Thanks in advance!

[CandidPlum]

I’ve been on Sertraline during two pregnancies and continued on it while breastfeeding. From what I’ve been told it’s one of the safest medications to help with anxiety/depression during pregnancy and breastfeeding and they see quite a lot of new mums on it. Completely understand your reluctance, I went back and forth about whether or not to take it originally, but am now very glad I did. Of course you have to do what feels right for you, but personally I’d have no qualms about taking it while breastfeeding, and if it helps with the anxiety you’re (very understandably) experiencing, that will make a world of difference to both you and your baby. Sending massive hugs your way ❤️

[weegiemum]

I went on Sertraline when my oldest dc was 3 months old and bf, and took it through 2 pregnancies and breastfeeding until dc3 was 2 years old. I was on it long term and still take a (different) ad. None of my children were affected by it and it made me a much better mum as I wasn't a depressed mess!

Good luck!

[Djockey101]

Thank you both so much