anti-depressants while breastfeeding - help!!!

[MathsMadMummy]

hi all, been away for a while (laptop troubles).

things are going ok, better than they were which is good, but I think I really need to go on ADs now. And there is no way I'm stopping BFing my DS (nearly 9m).

I was told while pregnant that mums around here are given Sertraline but I had really bad side effects when I had that as a teenager. The ADs I was on after DD was born, called Lofepramine (the ADs not DD lol), is now contraindicated so I can't have that either!

So all you BFing mummies on ADs, what do you take?!

TIA

I took Sertraline but see you had problems with that in the past. I am pretty sure I know people who have breastfed and taken citalopram. I think also that given the age of your DS it is less likely there would be problems than if he were younger.

Hopefully someone with more knowledge will see this as well.

NOt bfing atm, but will be in a week or two and have done so before while on sertraline. Also been pg both times while on sertraline.

As you say, sertraline is considered one of the most suitable for pg and bf, but other SSRIs can be used too. Also, give the sertrtaline a try because it may be that you can use it now - I tried it years ago and it didn't agree with me, then tried again a few years back and it is great. Try a few different ones adn build them up slowly from teh very smallest dose possible until you find one that works for you. Also check out Kellymom for more detailed info on what ads are suitable.

GOod luck!

The Nice Guidelines for Antenatal and Postnatal Mental Health
are very useful here.

Quite dense, but this is what psychiatrists use in order to make their judgements on what medication is right in terms of pregnancy and breastfeeding.

I was on lofepramine for a while too... I thought I was the only one as no one else has ever mentioned it. I got a terribly dry mouth on it I seem to remember.

I'm on mirtazapine now, which is an SNRI, but I'm not b/feeding.

Good on you for not being forced into giving up before you are ready

Sertraline is usually the 1st choice when BF but there are others you can take and different ways of managing medication.

The 1st 5-10mls of milk tend to have the strongest concentration of medication so some times expressing a little can help. Also looking at when you take medication and how long its half life is can help decide what time of day it should be taken so your levels are at their lowest when you want to BF.

A psychiatrist I once spoke to though said to balance the benefits of a happy Mum who can care for baby and them absorbing a tiny amount of medication. At 9 months milk is very important but your baby is taking in goodness from other foods as well.

As GetDown rightly said well done for not being forced to give up when you don't feel ready

ooh thanks for that extra info. spoke to a HV who gave me the name of a book and a helpline to show the GP when I go, so they've no excuse not to find something!

TBH, if I gave up BFing now, I'd feel far worse for that than for not taking ADs if that makes sense!

i have taken citalopram whilst bfeeding and am currently taking 20mg of citalopram and am 14wks pregnant, the mh team think this is fine and say that it should be ok with bfeeding.

it all depends on dose etc and the attitude of the gp, i had one who was horrified, but another who simply got intouch with the mh team and also a consultant at the hospital and they were fine.

i knew this as i checked with the mh team and the hospital BEFORE i got pregnant!

What you say about giving up BF making you feel worse does make sense. Hope your GP is helpful