Breastfeeding and depression

[twittwootwittwoo]

I think I need to go on antidepressants but I am still breastfeeding (2-3 times a day)

But I'm nervous that if I go and ask for help SS will be involved and will stay on my record forever and if I have another baby il be flagged.

I'm sure I'm just being stupid but I've had two years of no sleep and so much other stuff happen and I've tried to sort things out myself but I'm stuck and my mental health/marriage is at stake

There's no violence, no abuse, no suicidal thought or self harm, I just can't carry on anymore as I am.

Has anyone breastfed and been on medication and does it follow you round?

I had ADs from the time DD was about 2 months, she was entirely breastfed. She is a perfectly healthy nearly 18 year old, I was weaned off them when she was about a year. It has never been a problem regarding the rest of my life, several people have all kinds of medication on a regular basis with no comeback.

Oh bless you, you sound like you’re in a difficult place. Please don’t worry, I’m currently breastfeeding my second baby and have been on antidepressants while feeding both him and my first. I’m currently on 150mg of sertraline and feeling far more like myself and it’s not affecting him in the slightest. It will go on your GP’s record but shouldn’t be recorded anywhere else. Check out the Breastfeeding Network to reassure yourself - Wendy who runs it is a pharmacist and she’s brilliant.

@ClaraLane

Oh bless you, you sound like you’re in a difficult place. Please don’t worry, I’m currently breastfeeding my second baby and have been on antidepressants while feeding both him and my first. I’m currently on 150mg of sertraline and feeling far more like myself and it’s not affecting him in the slightest. It will go on your GP’s record but shouldn’t be recorded anywhere else. Check out the Breastfeeding Network to reassure yourself - Wendy who runs it is a pharmacist and she’s brilliant.

Thank you, I just feel such a failure 😞 but then congratulate other mums for seeking help.

I just worry I'd be ask constantly why I'm on them and do they need to be concerned about my daughters safety etc I worry about them not working and being on my record, and worry about if they do work, not coming off them or increasing them, and then also having to pay a big prescription each month

I'm a bit of a mess

Contact associaiton of breast feeding mothers, they have information on which medications you can have with BF. Do talk to people. (HV, GP, parentline.)

Don't be afraid to get some help if you're suffering.

You won't be judged and anti-depressants aren't the only option although there are some that are fine for breast feeding so it isn't an issue if you do end up taking them. You sound like a great mum for caring so much.

Silly question but how do I start the conversation?

I'm not struggling to be a mum, it's just the lack of sleep (We re taking 8-10 times a night up until a few months ago, it's still 2-3 times) and coping with everything else

Thank you for the replies

That's tough, sleep deprivation alone will have you feeling frazzled. Do you feel comfortable talking to your GP?

Are you comfortable going to your GP?
I had a non sleeper, breastfed and was on ADs and mood stabilisers from week 3 of her life.
I’ve had no judgement and certainly no suggestions that I couldn’t care for DD who is now 7!
You can just say what you said here- that you can’t go on as you are. There is no shame in asking for help. I realise it’s easy to say that from the other side though!

I don't have a regular Gp but there is one who I feel like I can talk to, it's just trying to pin him down for an appointment

I'm hoping they won't just laugh at me or worse just give me 2 mins and stick me on tablets

That's good that there is a GP you think you might be able to talk to. You sound like you are concerned that you won't be believed or that your feelings will be dismissed. It matters if you are feeling sad or anxious to this degree and there are lots of things that can be done to help.

@rainbowninja

That's good that there is a GP you think you might be able to talk to. You sound like you are concerned that you won't be believed or that your feelings will be dismissed. It matters if you are feeling sad or anxious to this degree and there are lots of things that can be done to help.

I'm worried about that and I'm worried that they ll just whack me on medication just because it's routine "oh she's just depressed let's put another one on medication" and I'm worried about the stigma of mental health as well

I just feel people are fed up of people having mental health problems

Yeah I do hear you, it's one of the horrible parts of feeling this way is that you also tend to feel embarrassed and like no one has time for you. Being kind to yourself when you feel this way is so important.

Although they may suggest you go on medication your GP will explore options with you. There is sadly a lack of funding for talking therapies at the moment but there should still be access, it may just take a while. Have you felt able to talk to any friends or family about how you are feeling or is your fear of stigma holding you back from doing that?
Hope you are doing ok

I've taken anti-depressants throughout both my pregnancies and breast fed both- DC's are now 2.5 and 5 and fine. During my 2nd pregnancy I had a lot more support, especially after DD2 was born. Please don't be afraid to get help, Drs/HV's are very aware of mental health problems in new mothers and want to support you through it

As well as seeing your doctor, is there a partner or family member who would give expressed milk, or formula, and let you go to bed all day for a long, uninterrupted sleep? I know that it's hard to find a family member to do it overnight, but a sleep mask on and they take your baby out for a walk and feed her at their house, so that she isn't looking for you.

Also, are you taking a vitamin D supplement? Preferably with K2.

@MsAnnFrope

Although they may suggest you go on medication your GP will explore options with you. There is sadly a lack of funding for talking therapies at the moment but there should still be access, it may just take a while. Have you felt able to talk to any friends or family about how you are feeling or is your fear of stigma holding you back from doing that? Hope you are doing ok

Thank you for your reply, I talk to my friends and my parents and my husband but my husband is saying that he's had enough of the same thing over and over again (he is supportive and I understand I sounds like a broken record).

I prefer to talk to a Counseller face to face which I know isn't possible at the moment, I've had one before a few years ago when my husband nearly died through illness and it helped enormously, by phone or zoom I feel that they wouldn't be concentrating on me (as for work team meetings I do exactly the same and loose interest and do other stuff)

I will be contacting the GP today to talk

@DianaT1969

As well as seeing your doctor, is there a partner or family member who would give expressed milk, or formula, and let you go to bed all day for a long, uninterrupted sleep? I know that it's hard to find a family member to do it overnight, but a sleep mask on and they take your baby out for a walk and feed her at their house, so that she isn't looking for you.

Hi daughter is 23 months old so doesn't "need" boob and she only has comfort feeds for a few mins a day.

My parents will take her all day for me whilst I rest and I get a 20 min power nap when working (over my lunch hour)

It's just she still wakes 2-3 times usually early morning at 3 and at 5 and if I don't boob her she wake up for the day and screws us both up.

I think I will have to revisit night weaning again, it's better than the every hour or two it was a few months ago

@DianaT1969

Also, are you taking a vitamin D supplement? Preferably with K2.

Yes I take a multivitamin and extra vit d as I've always been stuffily low on vit d on every blood test

@Beetlebum1981

I've taken anti-depressants throughout both my pregnancies and breast fed both- DC's are now 2.5 and 5 and fine. During my 2nd pregnancy I had a lot more support, especially after DD2 was born. Please don't be afraid to get help, Drs/HV's are very aware of mental health problems in new mothers and want to support you through it

Thank you, your post is reassuring. Sometimes I feel fine and think I can Wade through it all but then when I get stuck or start arguing with husband or getting anxious with daughter I feel like seeing the GP

Good luck talking to the GP. I had some zoom counselling which I was sceptical about but was actually very good. Nothing like work zooms where I also zone out!!