drugs while breastfeeding?

[ysabelle]

Hope someone out there can help.
I'm keeping this short and sweet since I'm really low at the moment and can't cope with writing everything down yet, although I realise this may be therapeutic in itself at some point. I'm more comfortable at the momemt just asking questions.

I had a prem baby 10 weeks ago. I'm still providing breastmilk (although expressing since trying to feed her dirct is problematic in itself). She's about to have an op this week so I really feel I have to keep providing for her. Can anyone tell/reassure me of any anti depressants which are ok when breastfeeding. Researching citalopram and a few others only tells me that they've been researched on children up to 1 year but the effects aren't known after this? I am obsessed with taking anything which will affect her in any way.

[Veritee]

Hi Ysabelle

Welcome Welcome to the forum

What is the op your baby has to have?
It must be so traumatic for you to have a baby in need of an op so young.

If we can help here - please let us know?

Medication and breastmilk.

I will get back to you about this in more detail but I have little time at the moment.

But also you could ring Deborah who runs a PNI helpline on 01335 347599 she is knowledgeable on these issues.

However in the meantime you could see a previous post I have made on this subject at:

veritee.proboards7.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&n=1&thread=623

This really says as much as I know about the subject of Medication and breastfeeding
But I will try to find out more

All the best for now

Veritee

[jennie]

Ysabelle no advise for your just sending you a big hug filled with love....my percious little heart is called Isabelle I will hold her and pray for you.

[wendabell]

Hello flower,
I was taking my anti depressents for a few months whilst breastfeeding with my last lil un.When i agreed to go on the anti ds i was very worried about the effects it would have on Tansy. The doctor explained to me that he would put me on (and im sorry if i spell this wrong)Sertraline.The way that the peri natal nurse explained it was that for nursing mothers it was found this had no effect on the babies other than a little diahorea or constipation at the start then all fine.Because this was closest to the natural hormone seratonin (our happy hormone)and so they recon is the cause of pni,but i dunno about that one?
It must be really difficult at the moment breastfeeding/expressing milk for one so small who is about to have an op.Have you tried any of the breastfeeding assosiations for help. They will give you advice on any area you are having problems with at the moment.
Welcome to this wonderful site by the way its a good supply of comfort and support in all this cloudyness.
love and hugs wendyx.x.x

[lucy not logged on]

Hi ysabelle

i am not sure what country you are from and i can really empathise with you about the dilema of medication and breastfeeding. i think it is ultimately up to what is right for you and your baby. i had an anxiety attack hours after my baby was born 3 mths ago so two days later i was given valium to help with the anxiety. a day later the phystrist(mental dr) gave me luvox which i had taken before pregnancy no 4. anyway i expressed concern as i really wanted to breastfeed but i also knew that i couldnt cope without medication. he asured me it was fine. i had medication every night while in maternity for anxiety. came home saw gyno(baby dr) and he assured me medication and feeding ok. I still had worry as if we dont have enough to worry about with pni we have to worry about the cure as well!!!

anyway then saw baby nurse a few time she said it was fine. i was still worried anyway at my six week check i thought i will be guided by my dr's opinion. she was a bit noncommital she said i need to do what i thinks best. she did suggest perhaps speaking to a peditritrican(baby specialist Dr). anyway came away really anxious about what to do spoke to my counsellor who suggested i ring a laction counselling network attached to big hospital in capital city. they assured me it was fine to feed with luvox. so i feel like i cant do anymore research that enough people who should know have said its fine. my baby seems fine she is growing fast and is happy and content and i love the time we spend together feeding so for now its ok. i know i have raved on but i just wanted to say do what you have to to put your worries to rest.

good luck with your decision and i hope everything goes well with the operation

cheers

lucy

[ysabelle]

Thanks for everyones kind replies, it's nice to know there are people out there who care enough to help.

Babies op is Wed but I'm taking her in tomorrow so I'm going to get through the next few days somehow before I concentrate on me. One of my problems is that there are days I feel strong enough to think I can beat this without drugs and then days when I know I can't. Which day do you pick to make your choices? Anyway you've given me plenty of info and support to think about and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Knowing you're all out there makes a huge difference!!
Thankyou.

(ps - I'll probably be back with more questions later!)

[Veritee]

I just thought I would add this from the book that is my bible currently as it is just so sensibel and to the point in what it says:

From 'Beyond the Blues' by Shoshana Bennett PhD & Pec Indman Ed D, MFT


Question: I want to breastfeed but I don't want to take anything that will harm my baby. Can I take medication and nurse?

Answer: According to the professionals who have dedicated their careers to studying the safety of antidepressants and nursing, the answer is yes. When infant blood was examined, few, if any, metabolites of medication were found. Babies exposed to medication through nursing are as healthy and normal in all ways as babies not exposed.

It's clear from the research that it is more important for a mom to receive proper treatment than whether she feeds her baby breast milk or formula. So if you think you will worry too much about your baby if you continue breastfeeding while taking an antidepressant, it is better to wean (slowly) rather thanto go without treatment.

Remember that the best gift you can give your baby is a happy, healthy mom. Often the anxiety about nursing while taking a medication goes away once the medication starts working, since the anxiety can be caused by the mood disorder itself.
********************************************

This is an american book but it Seems very sensible to me - but always ask your doctor

[moe]

Hi Ysabelle, Have a look at this site, I found it helpful for advise about medication during breastfeeding, you might find it helpful.

www.e-lactancia.org/asp/consulta_producto2.asp

[Veritee]

Hi Moe

I had a look at this site and it is fantastic


Gives all the info you could possibly need we have noting like this in the UK so it is good it is in English too.

Thank you so much for this

ATB

Veritee

[moe]

Hi Veritee,
You are welcome, I use this site myself as I am breastfeeding, I find it really useful to see if the medication I am taking is safe.