Breastfeeding and Antidepressants

The simple answer is there are many depression meds that are not dangerous while nursing. All medications can have side effects, therefore all medications even if deemed compatible with breastfeeding can effect the baby.

It is my opinion, that if you are clinically depressed, or have a history of post partum depression, it is safer to take a compatible antidepressant and breastfeed than to assume the risks of NOT taking them.

Having personally experienced severe clinical depression in my 20's, I understand the depths depression can take you. There were days I went without eating or bathing. There were weeks I went without ever leaving my house. It was not until I became suicidal that my family realized I was depressed. They thougth I was just tired from my job. And I was too depressed to realized I was depressed, if that makes sense. IT took me over a year of medications (zoloft, ambien,effexor, paxil and wellbutrin all tried: oh and st. johns wort too) and therapy until I was better. That has been over 10 years ago. I am the LAST person that will judge you. But at the same time, I see the importance of proper treatment for your safety and your childs.

Please, Do not assume that the medication you took during pregnancy is safe while breastfeeding. Check with your OB, Pediatrician or Lactation Consultant to be sure. Or if you like, ask me! Simply submit a question using the Ask Me A Question feature. And as a final note, do not assume that if your doctor told you that a med is not safe, that it is not. Ask for him/her to print you off the documentation so you can decide for yourself. The book to reference is Dr.Hale's Medication and Mothers Milk book. Dr. Hale studies meds and their relationship to breast milk specifically. It is an excellent resource.

Whether you are taking: wellbutrin and breastfeeding lexapro and breastfeeding zoloft and breastfeeding

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