Lexapro and Breastfeeding

I was diagnosed with depression after my daughter was born and both the obgyn I was seeing and the mental health professional reccomend lexapro to me as a breastfeeding mom- I have since taken down my dosage and both me and my daughter seem to have no long term effects from taking it. (and boy- did I feel better when I first started taking it- it helped my depression a lot- well that and the combo of seeking other hel)

I'm taking Zoloft and breastfeeding. I haven't noticed any problems. My anxiety/depression is caused by my hormones (postpartum depression) and not an ongoing thing (chemical depression), all though chemical depression runs in my family.
I didn't take anything with my first baby and it was AWFUL compared to this baby. I didn't enjoy my first baby at all and didn't want more kids... couldn't understand why anyone had more than one kid. I am so glad that I'm on Zoloft this time.
My doctor isn't worried about me being on Zoloft at all, but I don't know about other medications. You could try Zoloft and see if it works. My doctor had a daugther who committed suicide because of depression. He takes it very seriously and has studied medications quite a bit.

Jeanette,

I'd like to offer a slightly different perspective on taking meds. My decision to take Lexapro and Wellbutrin during pregnancy and breastfeeding comes after consulting four physicians (my regular doc, my OB, my psychiatrist, and a phsyciatrist that specializes in treating depression during pregnancy). All of them agreed that it is better for mother and child for mother to have depression completely under control. If you can do that without meds, wonderful. If you have trouble please don't let the very slim chances of danger to your child keep you from taking care of yourself. My mother struggled with depression and anxiety for my entire childhood (and her life, really). As an adult I can say that had profound effects on me. Her depressive episodes were confusing, scary, and bad learning examples of how to handle the world. I can guarantee the effects the depression can have on her are much much greater than the very slim chance of the meds affecting her.....

With love and understanding,

S.

Good news from my front. I took Lexapro while nursing both my beautiful girls. So far (3.5 and 1.5), no ill effects. I'm still nursing the 18 month old.

You haven't said how much you're still breastfeeding. At 16 months, she should be getting most of her nutrients from other foods, so the nursing is secondary, nutritionally. If you're concerned, you could perhaps cut back the frequency or duration of feedings? I'm not saying wean her (like I said, I'm still nursing!), but reduce/limit the amount of breastmilk she gets.

There is a wonderful book I have been using to help people out of depression, it looks wholistically at your life, mental/physical/spiritual etc. not religion based at all, but teaches coping and stress reduction, you can try it along with any drugs you take or alone as an alternative
http://www.amazon.com/Unstuck-Guide-Seven-Stage-Journey-D...
Good Luck!

Keep nursing your baby! Make a lot of eye contact with baby, extremely healing time and energy, excellent medicine. Quit watching the news, or Tv. The events on TV do not really affect your life...if it makes you upset turn it off. Go for a walk or play with your baby instead.

I have a severe anxiety/panic disorder and have had to be on Lexapro through the majority of my pregnancy and the entire time I've nursed my 12 month old son. I really struggled with this and spent many hours in therapy discussing my guilt. I finally accepted the fact that if I wasn't able to function I wouldn't be any good for my child. Also, I did some research and found that the child is only getting a minute amount through the breast milk. Your doctor is right- the benefits do outweigh the risks and don't let anyone make you feel guilty about trying to be the best mom you can be to your daughter.
M. L.

Hello Jeanette, I took SSRIs during and after my pregnancy I breastfed until my son was 15 months old. I can tell you that my son is healthy and a typical 2 1/2 yr. old boy. I did alot of research about the meds I was taking and I felt like it was better for all parties involved, that I stay on my meds, and it worked for me. I hope this helps... Namaste

Please listen to your doctor on this. I took anti-depressants the whole time I breastfed my 3rd child and I didn't notice any side effects to him. But he did have a happy mom and that is worth more than anyone can imagine. It is very important for you to take care of yourself, so that you can be a good, healthy mom! Ultimately the decision is yours and it sounds like you know what you're going to do. Make a choice and be confident about that choice and rely on your family and friends for support. I know mine have helped me imensly. Good luck!!

Hi Jeanette,

Just thinking when I read your post: is it possible that you may be pregnant again? Always worth checking into.

D.

Hi Jeanette, I had post partum depression with my daughter too, and the one my doctor reccommended, and put me on, was Paxil - because apparently that one is least likely to have any affects on baby, while breastfeeding. I was doing the teary thing too, and felt a lot better after a couple weeks on the medication. My daughter had no side affects from it either.

I would just reccommend talking to your doctor openly and candidly, and letting him/her know your goals/desires for continuing to breastfeed. Together you'll come up with the plan that's right for you! Good luck!

J.,
When I was pregnant with our first child, I stopped all my medications. It was difficult, but I felt it was safer for our child. After he was born I went through major PPD. Still I bit the bullet and waited. Finally on his first birthday I decided it was me or him. For obvious reasons, I chose me. I stopped nursing him cold turkey. We gave him vanilla flavored soy milk (soy dream)which tastes similar to breast milk and he was fine.
Both of us did well and continue to do so.
With our second child, again I quit medications and continued after he stopped nursing.

I feel that no matter what a doctor tells me about medications and breast feeding I will never believe that there won't be some sort of problem later on with the child.

Also, my doctor put me on Lexapro; which is typically given to treat Bi-Polar disorder not depression, and I had an allergic reaction that sent me to the ER. Be careful about what your doctor gives you and find out specifically what the medicine is treating you for. You can also ask the pharmacist.

Another thing is that after having children your body and chemistry change and what once worked for you may not work again.

I strongly recommend not to take anything while nursing. Your child has been given a very good start with 16 months of nursing. Take care of yourself, quit nursing and get yourself relief. Trust me, your family will love you for it.

As the saying goes,"If mamma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy."

Best of luck.
Cheers!!!!

I have taken antidepressants throughout my pregnancy and my son's first 6+ months of breastfeeding. So far, we haven't noticed any side effects. I believe your doctor is right. If you are having troubles, the benefits absolutely outweigh the risks.

Hi J.,

I took Lexapro while breastfeeding my son because I had postpartum depression that was diagnosed late (my son was 12 months at the time). I understand your fears and hesitation. I felt the same way. However, once I started the meds, I saw that the benefits outweighed the risks. My son is now 18 months, and I am weaning him off the breast while I am weaning myself off the anitdepressants. We are both healthy and happy!

Good luck!

I am nursing my son who is now 6 1/2 mos. I was diagnosed with PPD about 2 mos ago. I was put on Welbutrin XL and tried that for 4 wks. I went in for a check up and was switched to Zoloft. The doctor told me that it is the only "prooven" SAFE anti-depressant to take while nursing. Hope you get to feeling better soon! :)

I stopped anti-depressants during pregnancy...I was on Prozac at the time... It was difficult. . My breastfeeding was sporadic as I was on morphine drip for a week. I tried very hard to breastfeed, but eventually is proved to be inadequate to my babies needs. I didn't experience post partum depression, but I was having symptoms of menopause. I went backto Prozac and added Wellbutrin, which was a great combination for me.
I think you have to do that which helps you so you can be there for your baby... try going to a lower dose and then building up. By then your daughter may well be weaned... good luck!

J.,

I took antidepressants during and after my first pregnancy because I didn't want the risk of pregnancy hormones adding to my depression in a way that would put myself or my baby at risk. Everything turned out okay and my daughter is doing great. I stopped taking them right before I found out that I was pregnant with my second child. I seemed to be okay at first and then after a few months, I was an emotional wreck. I went back on them because I was affecting my one year old child and she could not understand why I was a wreck. I was on them during my second pregnancy and am still on them. I have not weaned my second baby yet, but she is also doing great. You must do what you feel is right; however, keep in mind that sometimes when we are emotionally unstable/depressed, we are not able to make the best decisions. I would listen to your doctor on this one. It is about the big picture of your family, not just the possibility of a risk to the baby. God bless you.

I agree it is natural that you would cry at the news, since of course you love your baby and all other babies in the world. One way to deal with this would be to not watch the news or any other violent TV (or for that matter any TV at all, since TV isn't good for kids either). Please keep breastfeeding and see a good counselor/therapist or support group if you need help, don't do drugs if you don't have to. Of course the doctors think these drugs aren't harmful (they've been heavily influenced by the drug companies), but of course they are, and the benefits would only outweigh the risks if you were seriously depressed and unable to care for your child, which it sounds like you are not. It is a good thing that you can cry about sad things, it shows that your heart is open!

You might try some natural remedies for depression first. I use to struggle with depression. My antidote was, more excercise, evening prim rose oil capsules 4 a day, cod liver oil or flax seed oil 2 tablespoons a day. I also spend time in doing service. You might check with and homeopathic Dr. I have never had to go back on the drugs for depression.

Good Luck!
N.

Hi J....

I breastfed both babies while taking Lexapro with one, and Zoloft with the other and I never had any problems. My children are now 8 and 5 and we haven't see any bad side effects.

My doctor told me there is very little medication secreted into the breastmilk (way less than if you are taking the medication while you are pregnant). I say THANK GOD for SSRIs and go for it!

I love breast feeding too but I would wean her with in the next month and start on lmy meds. You need to be healthy for her and you have done the best by nursing for so long! Good luck!!

Hi J.,

I have not taken anti-depressants and I am not a doctor. But I DID cry at the news, Law & Order and any other media outlet that told me how frightening the world is for my baby.

So, without knowing your medical history or you personally, this is in the range of normal for new Moms. But again - I do NOT know your medical case.

Good luck!