What do you think? Taking Citalopram and continuing to bf my 2-year-old - is it ok?

[CrochetDiva]

DD is 2 and a bit. She still feeds first thing in the morning (comes into bed for a cuddle an a nip of "mammy milk") and occasionally in the vening before bed - although storied with daddy and Scooby Doo on TV are more enticing now! She also sometimes feeds if she has a daytime nap or is feeling cranky.

I had been on sertraline since she was 3 months old because of PND, but had to come off it in December as it was no longer working for me.

GP switched me on to Mirtazapine, which has not been a good move (I've put on 1 1/2 stone since the switch due to constantly feeling ravenous) - I've also been really low and moods have been fluctuating like you wouldn't believe, and have been sooooo tired - even at higher doses.

Today she's switched me on to Citalopram - but has told me that I have to stop bf DD.
I love my GP - she has been a huge support for me throughout, but I'm under no illusions about her being an expert on absolutely everything.

I've come home and looked up research, but all of it looks at the "infant" - nothing talks about "toddler".

When I've read it, it seems that there is some risk of disturbed sleep in a few documented cases, but there is nothing at all on risks for toddlers.

Any insights? (If I'm going to fine an expert on bf and AD-types anywhere it's on MN!)

Crochet did you read this one on the rival site?;

"had another baby 9 months ago, found out lots of information prior to having her and decided to bf and carry on taking my citalopram. There is more citalopram excreated in breast milk than some other antidepressants but it's still only 10% maximum of your dose, and it is less if you avoid feeding during the peak times 4-9 hours after taking it.
I decided that the benefits of breast feeding my baby out weighed the risks of having some citalopram in her milk. she never showed any effects of the drug (restlessness, twitching, problems feeding) despite me being on the maximum dose (60mg)"

Floria - I did read it, and filed it under "infant rather than toddler" in my (rather befuddled) head.

Thank you - if it's ok at 9 months, then surely it has to ok later on ...

My feelings are, fwiw, that if it were me,I'd take the meds and I'd let her continue to self wean, she is so much bigger and older than that 9mth old, surely any effect will be negligable...

I'd obviously watch for the side effects and try to time my dosage to that the 5 hours of peak effect are when she was highly unlikely to be bfing ...

Bfing is obviously a bonding time you enjoy with her and anything that makes you happy has to be worth doing if at all possible.

but I'm no medical expert

Thank you FT, you may not be a medical expert, but you certainly know me well enough!

Have decided to carry on as we are at the moment ... bf is a great part of our relationship!