Breastfeeding and anti-depressants

[LackingNicknameInspiration]

Hello there

New to this board, so hope someone can help out!

I had my third child 3 months ago, a lovely little boy, but am currently struggling to cope with things. Initially, things were going fine, but then I just had a spectacularly bad week, triggered by being allocated a male GP for my 6-week check (annoying but I really did not react in a rational way..) and really have not been feeling good. Luckily I had mentioned to HV when she first came that I suspected I'd had PND with DD1 but had never been diagnosed (my HV at the time left a day after her first visit to me, so I got a bit lost in the system) so she had already arranged to see me the following week - which was happy timing as it's rather obliged me to confront things.

So, thus far, I've seen her a couple of times, been referred for counselling (initial appointment by phone next week) and should be going back to see GP to discuss whether or not I want to go onto meds. I have no objection to this in principle (my mother has suffered from severe depression for the last 20-30 years and I know how much harder it is for us all when she periodically takes herself off her meds and don't want to affect my children more than I already have probably). Having a few problems booking an appointment due to the slightly mad system at my GPs but hoping to see her - but I can't find much information about the effect on the baby when EBF. Does anyone have any information about it? I'd rather not stop, as I get so little time with him so thought about postponing until September when I start to wean him - but at the same time it's still a while to go - I find I'm very irritable and don't have much patience with the children, especially DD1 who I think senses this and misbehaves as a result, leading to a viscious circle - and I'm somewhat lacking in energy, not least as sleep is somewhat non-existant still.

Sorry for long post - but if anyone has any knowledge on the meds/BF point, I'd be really grateful.

TIA!

I took anti-depressants throughout my pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding under the supervision of my GP and everything was fine. They have a book which tells them which drugs are safe to use when breastfeeding.

Sertraline is the one I was prescribed, and I have to say it was brilliant.

You could also possibly try an iron supplement such as Spatone, which doesn't bung you up and helps with energy levels.

Good luck with your counselling. There is nothing wrong with admitting that are suffering with depression. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain. As my GP tells me, if you have a broken arm you get it fixed, so if you have a problem within your brain you get that fixed too. And it DOES WORK, but you may have to take them for a year for them to have the proper effect.

Also, if you are prescribed anti-depressants, your GP will start you off on a low dose, and only increase them if required.

Hi LNI. I was in a similar position in January. Ds3 was 3 months and the odd bad day suddenly became weeks long. I tried counseling alone but it wasn't enough and I am now on sertraline and have improved immensely although still early days and dose being increased gradually.

Not all ADs are safe but some are. I still bf with no issues. Kellymom has a link to some good research and doctors know what's safe as they are routinely prescribed to bf mums.

kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/antidepressants-hale10-02/

Just realised that PP mentions Hale - probably the same research is mentioned on kellymom.

The latest BNF seems to have been improved - I was all set to make the GP dig out the consultant letters saying my ADs were safe with bf, but she checked and it said 'some gets into breastmilk but not at a dose that has any effect', ie fine. (lofepramine, been used for 40 years so about time!)

Thank you very much, all of you for that. I'd seen some stuff online but it all seemed a bit inconclusive - very pleased to hear from people who are in the same situation. greentrees, I'd seen that document but not the details on the advice service, so that's fantastic - I'll contact them.UKSky & Outnumbered, thanks for sharing your experiences too, sounds very much the same as me - can really relate to the bad day becoming a week and good to know that you're finding the treatment helpful. I might try the iron supps too, I was anaemic during pg so it's quite possible it's still there.
And, notcitrus, thanks too for your reassurance.
Just need to sort an appointment now, but fingers crossed!
Thank you all again - actually feeling fairly positive now!