Help me stop breastfeeding so I can take anti-depressants...

[EdieMcredie]

DD is 11 months, has been exclusively breastfed with the help of all you guys who gave me some great advice in the early days.

I wanted to breastfeed her until about 3 years but have a bit of PND which really needs treating with AD's.

Breastfeeding has also become a bit of a chore for me, not as enjoyable, and im back at work and it's hard to express. Plus her top tooth has come through and is hurting me.

Health visitor advised to start giving her cows milk but she spits it out. Tried warm/cold/different time of day etc. It's not the cup as she has all other drinks in it. She does drink cows milk with breakfast so think she is just being stubborn.

Not sure what to do, can't really think clearly about a solution, any advice would be great!!

Do you think you'd enjoy it more if you were on the AD's? Is the PND affecting the way you feel about bfing?

I only ask because it is perfectly possible to be on ADs and bf. I've done it (escitalopram) and masses of other MNers have taken them while bfing. Who told you it wouldn't be possible?

I'm only pointing this out if your main reason for stopping is the ADs . If you're 100% sure you want to stop then of course you should, but I'd hate you to give up because of poor advice and then regret it.

I should know all this, im a mental health nurse!

How do they know that is safer for breastfeeding? Yes I think the PND might be effecting the b'feeding. Problem is im also very very anxious and would worry about the meds going into breastmilk, probably despite any reassurance!

RE. the other issues, I found bfing was painful for a little while after ds2's teeth came through, then he seemed to adjust his latch slightly to compensate and it stopped hurting. His latch always went funny while he was cutting teeth, then gradually improved once the tooth was there.

Expressing - do you need to express while you're at work? At this stage of bfing your supply will adapt to feeding morning and night (and poss through the night) only without any problems. If your dd is eating pretty well and drinking fluids from a cup then she doesn't necessarily need ebm too. Would not having to express take some of the pressure off you?

I found bfing became hard work around a year in and I contemplated giving up quite a few times but knew I'd regret it so I didn't. I'm glad I stuck with it now because it's got a lot easier.

Kellymom has useful links about what meds are safe while bfing and how much of the meds transfer into bm. There's another site too, that I can't remember off the top of my head but it will come eventually if someone else doesn't suggest it.

Tiktok also knows a lot of the research into drugs and bm. Which ADs are they looking at for you? She might be able to reassure you with factual evidence.

It's kind of a Catch22 situation isn't it. PND is affecting how you feel about bfing, ADs would help but you're anxious about them passing into bm, otoh the ADs will also help with the anxiety.

Kellymom info. The Dr Hale mentioned in it was the other site I was thinking of. He's done years of reaserch into drugs and bfing.

Im on 30mg seroxat and bfing - read all the studies on it and saw a consultant - all fears relieved. It has been shown that none or a negligible amount gets into your milk.

However your post sounds like you want to stop for other reasons too. cant help with that im afraid but have readf that it helps if someone other than the mother gives alternative milk. good luck x

Thankyou for all advice.

I think it will be down to me which I go on, just because of what I do for a living. I have been on venlafaxine in the past and tolerated it well.

I only express at work to get the 20oz into her she is supposed to have. That always sticks in my mind and I worry if she gets less!

According to that info, sertraline is a good one. Will discuss this with GP.

The GP may not be the best person to discuss with; I have found that they tend not to be that clued-up about ads and just prescribe the ones they are used to.

Can you have a chat with a psychiatrist, or ask to be referred to one? Not because you need to see one for your depression, but simply because they are much better placed to give you the information you need about ads. They are also more likely to prescribe the ones they feel appropriate, rather than the latest on the market.

I'm under the care of the local peri-natal mother and baby unit and they recommend sertraline for BFing mothers as research has shown that virtually none of the drug passes into BM. I took sertraline for eight months when BFing my DD, am now back on fluoxetine as I'm pregnant, but plan to switch to sertraline after the birth for BFing again.

I hope you can get something that wil allow you to BF for a bit longer if that's what you want. Can you try not pumping in the day and just feeding her first thing and then once you are home again. She should be OK to go without BM during the day, and maybe nursery can get her to take cow's milk from a cup?

Nursery have tried milk, no joy.

I could ask one of the psychiatrists I work with I guess...

My GP is very good though, his wife works/did work with me in psych so he has some understanding.

Bought some formula today as I want to cut out all daytime feeds-will still b'feed at night with formula during day until she is 12 months then we will see what happens...

Have made GP app to talk about sertraline.

Thanks for all comments/advice-very much appreciated.

Edie - sorry to hear about the PND, have suffered depression myself in the past, with anxiety, and know how things can get on top of you.

On a purely practical note, I went back to work part time when DS was 11 months old and didn't express at all, just did morning and evening feeds (oh and night feeds, and there were plenty of them...). On the days DS was in childcare he didn't have any milk during the day. It took him to around 15 months to get a taste for cows milk, he's still not that bothered about it now (2 yrs).

Hope it works out for you.

I have taken Sertraline 50mg and 100mg whilst bfing two of my dc. one from 1 week old til 17mo, and she is fab and fine If you want to drop bf then no probs, but if you are just doing it to take meds then perhaps reconsider.