Anxiety Meds with Breastfeeding

I have been on Zoloft for about 3 years specifically because when I started I was nursing my son who was just a little younger than your daughter. There are good studies on Zoloft and breastfeeding and only a very very small amount passes to the baby and it is not enough to be harmful. It is not primarily for anxiety but I have anxiety issues as well and my dr. said that it helps with that as well and it has been a wonderful help to me just getting by from day to day without worrying about everything. Just maybe something to think about that might be a possibility.

***Just wanted to add to say...Please don't feel pressured that you have to stop nursing because you need to do this for your health. There are plenty of options that are compatible with breastfeeding and alot of docs and others like to try to pressure you since they are past 12 months they don't "need" it anymore. It is still just as good for your child as it was when they are younger and if you want to continue the nursing relationship with your daughter there is no reason why you needing to take something should interfere at all.

I know a lot of people use Zoloft with good effects. Have to watch for increase in depression with it as with most meds though...

Congrats on breastfeeding for 15 months. I nursed for 13 mo. myself. I would first ask yourself for how long you want to breastfeed. I tend to be a naturalist & didn't take any drugs while pregnant or breastfeeding (not even advil). If you're going to stop nursing soon, maybe you can hold off on the drugs, or maybe you can wean your daughter a little sooner. There are so many new meds on the market, who knows if there is enough historical data to do substantive enough research into the effects on a breastfeeding child. However, if you must nurse & take the drugs simultaneously, make sure you trust your doctor, and try to do back-up research yourself to validate what they say. I also don't like answers like "should be okay" or "probably okay." That's not good enough for me, but that's just me. Good luck.

H.:

as your daughter is 15 months old the xanax would probably be ok. the Kolonopin would also be ok.

you are welcome to contact me about meds.

P., RLC, IBCLC, CST
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions
www.lactationsupportgroup.com

Hi H.,

I took buspirone while I was pregnant for anxiety, but then did not breastfeed because my doctor said it was unsafe. I now have been off anxiety meds for over a year and occasionaly take a benedryl when I feel anxious or can not sleep. Benedryl is an antihistimine and has been shown to offer mild sedative properties. It definitely helps you sleep, is non-habit forming, and you won't have the withdrawl symptoms you get with a prescription med when you discontinue use. Ask your doc if it safe to take while breastfeeding. Good Luck.

have you ever tried Zoloft?? it works great for me. i took it during pregnancy and breastfed for about 6 weeks. be sure to ask your doctor all about it.

There are two things that you can take only as needed to do the following things:

1) ease anxiety
2) feel calm and relaxed
3) help fall asleep

They are hops, which is safe for breastfeeding, it brings on a sense of relaxation and also will help you feel sleepy and help you doze off more easily. It can be taken as a tea, or also as a tincture and you can get them at any health food store.

Also valerian as a tincture can be taken and has a similar affect, although I have not researched if is safe or unsafe for breastfeeding.

I have personally used both of these, and they will halp tremendously when you take them 30-45 minutes before you want to go to sleep. Good luck!