Antidepressants and Breastfeeding

Hi. My name is Kimberly Durdin and I'm a Board-Certified Lactation Consultant. I've been helping moms breastfeed babies for every 20 years. Some Moms who might be suffering from depression are concerned whether or not they can take anti-depressants while breastfeeding. The first thing I would say to a Mom who is concerned about taking anti-depressants while breastfeeding is to seek expert advice. Anti-depressant medications affect Moms and babies differently, while they're giving during pregnancy or lactation. If you've ever suffered from depression, you might be concerned how depression might affect your ability to breastfeed your baby, especially if you have to take medications. The first thing I would tell a Mom is to seek expert advice. A Mom who might be suffering from depression or is concerned about future episodes of depression should be in closed contact with her doctor-- her baby's pediatrician, as well as her lactation consultant. Your doctor will be able to help you determine which medication for depression is best for you. Your lactation consultant can help by guiding you, along with your doctor to the most compatible medication for you in consideration of the fact that you're breastfeeding your baby. Each medication for depression can affect mother and baby differently. So it's important to have your own doctor work in conjunction with your lactation consultant in helping you find the best medication for you. For excellent information on compatibility of various anti-depressant medications in breastfeeding mothers, a great website is infantrisk.com. There you can get some more information on different medications, on how they affect your baby, how they might affect you and you can give this information to your doctor. In some cases, depression can even be managed with non-drug methods such as exercise, taking omega fatty 3 acids. You also utilizing the herbal remedy St. John's Wort, as well as using photo light therapy. Again, for more information, go to infantrisk.com, as you work together to create the best solution for you and your baby. Remember, suffering from depression doesn't mean you have to jeopardize breastfeeding your baby-- working together with your doctor and lactation consultant. You should be able to find solutions that will work for you and your baby. I hope this helps you navigate some of the issues around in depression and breastfeeding. Thanks for watching.