Antidepressants while breastfeeding - advice needed

[Cuntzilla]

Not sure wether to post here or mental health?

Does anyone know if there are any antidepressants you can take while breastfeeding?

Dd(dc2) is 8 months and I really really don't want to stop breastfeeding. (Fed dc1 until he was 15 months and self weaned and want to allow dd to stop when she's ready)

I've just started counselling (had 2 sessions) but feel like I'm struggling more and more each day.
Next counselling appt is on Thursday but I have a gp appt on Tuesday and I'm going to ask if they can give me anything to help. I don't have a lot of faith in the gp as not been with them long and they have previously prescribed something for dd that chemist wouldn't supply as dose for baby incorrect.

So I'd like some idea really of what they might offer, or i should ask for. Never taken AD before so don't really know if there are millions of types and its all down to the individual.

Think it's PND but don't think it's been diagnosed? Struggling to cope day to day, very tearful all the time. Lots of anxiety, not sleeping well.

Sorry for rambling message
Thanks in advance to anyone for advice.

Sorry to hear you are having such a tough time.

I think it's the breastfeeding network who have a helpline about drugs during breastfeeding. It isn't the case that you have to stop to have AD's. There are options. Someone will be along with the details soon I am sure.

Hi sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I believe there are a number of AD that are considered safe when bfing. A good source of info is the Breastfeeding Network -sorry hopeless at links but easy to find if you Google them. Hope it's of help.

That's great thanks guys.
I just didn't have a clue where to start looking.
I'm actually feeling ok at this very minute so I'm trying to get myself a bit organised in case the next 3 days are really bad and then doc says tough stop bf take these and all will be better

Just get through today each day at the moment.
Thanks again.

It is worth being aware that GPs have very varying knowledge about drugs and breastfeeding. You get a lot of posts on here where people have been told to stop to take X drug, where actually the Breastfeeding Network have been able to reassure them that either it is ok or there is another suitable drug that is compatible.

You can look after your own health and continue to bf. . Don't put of getting help.

Have a look here - it's the BfN factsheet Penguin was talkingabout.
www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/dibm/anti%20depressants%20_and_Breastfeeding_Jan_2013-%20wj.pdf

I breastfed for over a year on Sertraline/Lustral with the blessing of my maternity hospital mental health team - as you'll see in the BFN factsheet it's the antidepressant of choice for BF mums as so little gets into your milk. There are other options as well if that doesn't work for you. Good luck!

I breastfed for 12 months whilst taking Sertaline and doctor, health visitor and mental health counsellor were happy for me to do so.

Finally starting to think about coming off them, and can confirm that they definitely helped.

Doesn't seem to have harmed my toddler-she's currently trying to climb onto the coffee table.......

Good luck

I'm bf-ing 4 month old DD while on venlafaxine. I was on it throughout pregnancy and met with the mental health midwife to discuss it. They were happy for me to continue as was I as the experience of suddenly stopping would have been horrible for both me and baby.

I've not had problems on citalopram - a very commonly prescribed AD. No reason to give up bf to take them. If you have any trouble get the dr to look up the breastfeeding network factsheet.
Glad you're getting counselling too. It should never be just down to medication, although IME that has helped.