breastfeeding whilst on citalapram

[greenj1]

I'm on 20 mg citalapram a day and have been for over 6 years. At the start of this pregnancy my Dr wasn't sure if I would be allowed to breastfeed. I'm nearly 36 weeks and no more has been mentioned, has anyone else breastfed while on this medication or were you advised against it?

I breastfed my DD (now 4) while on citalopram (20mg) and she's completely fine. The psychiatrist I saw at the time said it was fine and that the benefits (i.e. me not getting PND and being able to cope with a newborn) outweighed the risks. I'm now pregnant with DC2 and on 10 mg and plan to do the same again. I believe there's a very small risk of heart defects for the baby. I'm sure someone will be along to offer more advice soon.

Yes! Me! I do. And my doctor is very happy with me bf and taking the meds. I hope you are doing ok? Good luck with it all. X

I should add that my dr says the risks of a depressed mum far outweigh the risks from the mess being passed down on breast milk.

It's a risk/benefit thing.The BNF doctors' drug bible says;present in milk,manufacturer says avoid.
So the safe answer is no.
But there will have been no research done on the effects on babies as it is so unethical to do it.
Some doctors probably will not be happy to prescribe but if you have been on it all through pregnancy it sounds like they are happy.And as the other posters have said,in reality people do it and it is fine.

I BF'd DS when I was on it and he seems fine. (I was on 20mg.) The doc said a little may get in to the milk but that the risks were relatively low.

Thanks all, eager to breastfeed but was worried about any side effects, although I figured I have taken the tablets throughout the pregnancy and scans show a healthy baby. So breastfeeding probably wouldn't hurt!?