Infant Baby Blues

hi i was diagnosed with post partum depression. my ob/gyn prescribed prozac while i was breastfeeding. it worked really well for me. I know that it was a lower dose. it was 20 milligrams. My son did not seem to have any reaction to it. I have since quit taking it. hope that helps some.

Of course I'd ask your Doctor to research antidepressants that have had studies done on nursing moms first, but I am taking Cymbalta and breast feeding my daughter, and I also took it during pregnancy. My baby had some signs of withdrawl from Cymbalta when she was born. The Doctor was not worried about short term affects, but said they were not certain of long term affects, such as ADD and such. They did say it was safe to breast feed while taking it though. I guess not enough of it gets in the milk to worry about it. I have not researched this myself, I just took them at their word. So far ( she is 7 weeks old) she does not seem affected at all from it. With my first daughter (who is eight now) I took Paxil while pregnant and breastfeeding, and she was and is perfectly fine as far as we know. The thing is, they "don't" know hardly anything about the safety or long term affects of so many drugs during pregnancy or nursing, which to me is so scary, but the benefits outweighed the risks (the risks they know of) in my case. Good luck, I know it's hard to decide on taking medicine when it's not just you who may be affected. Just talk to your Doctor, and/or several different types of Doctors.....OBGYN, Primary, Psychiatrist, if you know of any, and maybe they can help you decide what to do. Take care and let us know what happens. M. m

B., I would HIGHLY RECOMMEND talking to your doctor.
There may be something available on a lower dosage.

Make sure you ALSO talk to your pediatrician as you want to make sure they everyone (the doctors) are on the same page since you are still nursing.

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You have received some great responses but as a mental health professional I have to add one more. Zoloft is the usual anti-depressant of choice for nursing mothers. However, it works completely differently than Wellbutrin. Zoloft is an SSRI (it works on seratoning) and Wellbutrin works on a different neurotransmitter, norepinephrine. If these medications are being proscribed by your OB I would try to see a psychiatrist. A good therapist can help identify what is going on, based on your symptoms, as well as provide possible alternatives to medication. I understand how important breast-feeding is to many mothers, however, your mental health is a greater factor in your ability to be a good mother than breastfeeding. Most babies can thrive without being breastfed, but not without a healthy mom. Please continue to seek out information. If you need any help, please feel free to contact me.
L. D.

I believe I read recently that Zoloft is ok to take while b/f; and also that Wellbutrin is contraindicated while b/f -- which means that they know it causes problems, so I'm a little concerned that you were not switched to something else! I could be mistaken about the drug names -- my memory isn't what it used to be; but if I'm right, I'd want to know who dropped the ball. All of your doctors should know that you're breastfeeding, and they should all make sure that the meds you're taking are not contraindicated for b/f. Of course, a lot of docs will tell you to stop b/f if you take *anything* so you need to do your own research because most drugs will not harm your child if you take them and nurse.

Contact your local LLL leader to see if she has more information on this, or look it up on their website, or go to this website (http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/meds.shtml) and see if you can find the information you need. Also, contact your pharmacist to see what s/he knows about antidepressants that are safe to take while b/f. Again, s/he may err on the side of caution and tell you that if you're worried, you should just stop b/f while taking any medications, but that answer isn't good enough, because you need specifics. The pharmacist knows more about drugs than the doctor does, or at least will have access to better information easier at a pharmacy than at a doctor's office. If your prescribing doctor is an expert in treating depression (as opposed to a General Physician), s/he may be as knowledgeable as the pharmacist, but just in general, doctors know only what they're told about medicines by drug reps, and that doesn't usually include b/f info.

Talk to your OB/GYN and ask them about changing your medication. When I had the baby blues it helped me to walk every morning. I would put the baby in the stroller and take a walk. Exercise produces the same chemical in your body that they give you for depression.

Hi B.. I think you should talk to your doctor. There are some medications (such as Zoloft) that you can take while nursing. Your dr. should be able to point you in the right direction either way. Best wishes!

Might it be hormonal imbalance (thyroid or feminine)? I'm 51 (OLD! LOL), and several things happened in 2004 that left me pretty depressed. I'd come a long way, but just started taking a mild HRT in April and things have turned around (mood-wise) for me more in that one month than in the previous year.

i was told that zoloft was best for breastfeeding. i was on welbutrin, but recently made the switch.

B.,

I am so sorry you are going through a bad time. I would hope that your doctor would be able to find something that would help with your depression/anxiety that won't affect your baby so much. I am not sure what it would be. The best advice I could give would be talk to your doctor. If he/she can't help, talk to another doc. Sometimes, doctors don't take the time to really listen to what a patient needs. Be proactive and keep asking and make the doc pay attention. This is nothing that you can just ignore. If you need to talk, I know there are support groups for depression/anxiety and baby blues out there. I have dealt with depression myself and have takend wellbutrin and prozac and effexor. Good luck and if I can help by listening etc. just ask.

B. B

Maybe ask your Doctor about melatonin?

Are you also seeking counseling? This is a must! They should be able to help you regulate your medication, but talking with someone on a regular basis to get a better understanding of why you feel the way you feel is a very important part of the healing process. In fact, without learning the cause of your depression you will never get passed it. I wish you all the best in your recovery! It is a hard process without the added stress of a new baby, but kudos to you for taking the time to take care of yourself. Good luck to you and enjoy your little one.

I took Zoloft (Sertraline is the generic) and it was perfectly fine

I am shocked your Dr prescribed wellbutrin to a nursing mother!!! I stopped nursing to take it. (broke my heart but the alternative was worse)

I have known MANY people successfully nurse on Zoloft. I am surprised that was not the drug of choice.

The only time "the breast is NOT best" is when mom's sanity is at stake & meds are needed. I am the biggest advocate of breast feeding, but if MOM is not healthy, baby & family suffer in other ways.

See if Zoloft is helpful (I still have my concerns) and consider if you need to, to formula feed. Neither choice is ideal, you need to decide which you feel best about. Do your research. Don't take your Dr's word for it.

P : )

B., talk to your careprovider, your therapist, and/or a lactation consultant about other options. You have received that advice from others already. If your doctor is not well-informed with regards to anti-depressants and breastfeeding, then make sure you or he consult with someone who is. It's not fair to you or your baby to be placed on medications that don't work and have side-effects.

I would also like to recommend a book to you. It won't help you with your immediate medication question, but may provide you with insight as to what is going on inside your body and you may come across possible therapy suggestions that have not been recommended to you.

Women's Moods: What Every Woman Must Know About Hormones, the Brain, and Emotional Health by by Deborah Sichel and Jeanne Watson Driscoll

These two ladies were the first to ever consider the influence of women's hormonal cycles on the effectiveness of medications, especially also during the period of pregnancy and postpartum....

Find a Naturapathic Doctor in your area. If they are hard to find your local health food store may have some names and phone numbers for you.

There are many natural supplements that can help with moods and depression and anxiety, but you have to be carefull with natural things as well if you are breast feeding. So a Naturapathic Doctor can help you know which ones are safe for your baby.

Good luck and happiness!

Sure there are! I did not take any but my doc had offered it and I nursed. I can't remember the name, just ask your doc to give you something different that will not affect nursing.