St John's Wort and bfing

[BumperliciousIsOneHotMother]

Just wondering if I can take st john's wort while bfing? Kellymom seems to be undecided on the matter. Anyone else have any experience? And as an aside do people find it affect as an anti-depressant?

Desperate bump?

Hi Bumper
Not sure, but MyTwoCents (remember her?) said definitely stay away from it while pg. It's quite powerful stuff. Have you googled?

DD is 8 mo btw

Thanks sputnik, I have googled but lots say "no evidence that it is safe" which means no-one will commit to saying, but I don't think there is evidence that it is unsafe either.

Oh and I know someone that's taken it and found a mood-enhancing effect, let's say

I think the jury is out on that one. It's a definite no no during pregnancy but there has been research to suggest it can cause colic and drowsiness in babies.

tbh you would be far better off taking something which has been more closely studied - there are ADs out there that have been studied for years and their effects on BF babies are far better known.

SJW didn;t work for me, but I know others who swear by it.

hth

That figures, they're not going to test it are they.

sorry, should have read before posting - studies have shown babies who are BF by mothers who are taking SJW seem to have shown an inc liklihood of colic and drowsiness. Wasn't a huge number studied though from what I remember - will have a look and see if I can find the report.

a quick google suggests that it is advised against because like many medications , no studies have been undertaken to advise that it is safe. I don't know much about it - but I do know it interacts with many drugs inc the contraceptive pill and personally I wouldn't want to take something so hefty on a regular basis whilst b/feeding. Have you seen your GP?

x post there -sorry

I'm loathe to take ADs, they make me feel worse, I just thought I could try something more natural.

Actually, seems I was wrong there, did you see this?

Maybe that was the one you were after BBM?
Bumper, magic mushrooms are also "natural"

Nope mine was more recent than that - was done 2005 I think but similar results to that one.

IMO you have to be happy with what you are taking but bear in mind SJW can have some pretty powerful side effects - the fact it is natural shouldn't make you less wary of it than you would be of something which has been synthesised.

Not sure of how bad your depression is but have you tried or considered counselling or CBT - nice and natral and uninvasive. Bit hard to do with a newborn in tow I know, I took DD1 along to my psych sessions

I can't afford private counselling and the Drs won't do anything

I'm alright, just need perking up.

I did see those abstracts. I'll speak to a BFC at my bfing group.

Thanks for the help

Hope you find something that helps perk you up. Some people have found eating certain foods has helped them with depression - esp those who felt they needed perking up. Can't remember all the details but I do remember Kiwi fruit with your breakfast and sunflower seeds / oat flapjacks for snacks are meant to be very helpful.

It all sounds a bit silly I know but there has been a fair bit of research into it that shows it does seem to help - it did help me tbh.

Personally I think a huge bar of chocky or several packets of crisps is great too but then maybe that is why I have suffered with depression for 13 years .