Breastfeeding and anti depressants

[sj257]

My third child is due in 5 weeks, after struggling to breastfeed my other two I am determined that I will crack it this time as it is our last child so my last chance to get it right. However I'm most probably going to go straight onto antidepressants once he is born due to anxiety and previous PND. I've been told I can breastfeed but worried it will affect the baby in some way. This is the reason I've refused to take them while pregnant as the worry caused me even more anxiety.... can anyone advise me on this? Thanks

It's not considered harmful at all to use anti-ds when breastfeeding - this evidence-based factsheet is something to read and discuss with your HCPs:

www.breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk/wp-content/dibm/anti-depressants-oct14.pdf

Honestly, the consensus among most informed specialists is that using anti-Ds and having depression treated effectively is important and that breastfeeding is important too - especially if you want to do it :)

Wow, thank you for the information, I have stopped giving the morning feeds I was giving my 20 month old as I've been given citalopram 10mg! I'm so angry the doctor gave me outdated information. Stopping breastfeeding has added to my anxiety and given me another reason to feel depressed!

Vonny, if you feel brave, tell your doctor you have found another source of info which might be helpful to other mothers who ask for advice on this. If you don't feel you can do this, then let your Hv know you were given poor info. She will pass it on.

Of course you can start BF again if it was not that long ago you stopped :) After 20 mths it will take a long time for your milk to go entirely.

Thank you I will mention it I'm due my first months appointment to check up on how I'm doing on them.

I have noticed there is still milk in one when I give it a squeeze, the other is a bit more clear with a milky residue :)

It did make me wonder when she said no breastfeeding how brand new mums do etc with PND

Sertraline is recommended as it has the shorted half life and is only detectable in v small or not at all in baby's plasma.

Thank you. Sertraline was mentioned to me however I'm worried as I've never taken it before so I don't know if it will work for me.

I am on 30 mg citalopram and 4 month old DD is exclusively BF. None of the doctors or midwives I have seen have ever expressed concern that this is a problem.

I've been on paroxetine for nearly 2 weeks and I'm breastfeeding.

I've been on Sertraline for years, and stayed on it while pregnant and breastfeeding DS (fed until he was just over 2). One of the midwives I talked to even jokingly said that the trace amounts in milk might make the baby feel more relaxed and happy!

Breastfeeding in itself is linked to preventing PND. Any up to date health professional should be able to reassure you that you can BF on antidepressants without risk to baby. I did so with no problems.

I have a script but havent got the pills as im scared. How long do the initial side effects last for? I'm worried about feeling even worse for weeks on end. Anyone?

How long do the initial side effects last for?

It depends. A few days to a few weeks, generally. But if you start to feel awful, you can stop them, and it should clear your body fairly quickly. There will be other options to try if you don't get on with one type.

It's all weighing up options really. ADs have their downsides, but if you are struggling badly, they can be really worth trying. It's not an irrevocable decision.

I find that I was slightly panicky after taking the first tablet, but only for half an hour or so. After that I was fine.