Breastfeeding and Antidepressants (milk, baby, weigh, pregnancy)
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Any mothers out there who breastfeed and took antidepressants? Who are taking them now, but also more for the women who took them in the past, while breastfeeding. Can you mothers discuss this. I would like your thoughts on this.
This probably isn't the best forum for this discussion. Have you tried the forums at La Leche League's web site, or kellymom.com? Also, you can contact a local la leche league leader for information about nursing and antidepressants--they are a great resource.
Why in the world is this not "the best forum for this discussion"? People ask the craziest questions on this site, but I've never heard that one before. I consider this forum to be a resource, like many other sites - certainly the ones mentioned - but I hardly think it is an unreasonable question to ask from someone looking to gather as much personal experiences as possible. Good for her!
It's a very valid question - but I suppose because it deals with two societally taboo topics - both of which are completely and thoroughly natural - it makes some people feel uncomfortable.
I wish I had a good answer for you - a friend of mine who was breastfeeding and was diagnosed with PP depression was prescribed Wellbutrin, and she was very happy with it. I've noticed that's a pretty common one prescribed during pregnancy/post-partum - I believe it's considered a Class B drug, but don't quote me on that.
IMO if you can try to not take them while breastfeeding, that would be best. If it means you being a threat to yourself or others and not being able to function, that is another story.
Did your perscribing doctor explain to you what class drug it is? Most likely, if he or she knew you were breastfeeding, they chose one which is ok to take while nursing.
Keep in mind that close to all drugs fall under the B C or D catagory and NOT the A which is DEFINITELY safe to take while nursing/pregnant. So there are always going to be unknown risks to your baby/fetus when you take a OTC, perscription drug, homeopathic or herbal supplement. You have to weigh the pros and cons, benifits vs risks.
I took anti depressant all through my pregnancy and 8 months of breastfeeding my son with no known problems. I would agree that if you can go without them it is best, but I am not sure that any person would just want to take antidepressants just to take them. Don't fool yourself into thinking it is completely safe, there are no tests on long-term effects to the child of a mother taking antidepressants during pregnancy or breastfeeding. The other side of the coin is that A.D.s serve a purpose, and at the time that I was taking them, there was no way I could have functioned without them.
Where are all the opinions? Why is no one really touching this one?
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