Antidepressants and Breastfeeding
Which Depression Medications are Safest for Nursing Mothers?
Oct 25, 2008
Breastfeeding mothers often worry about the effects medications will have on their baby if they are going to be present in breast milk. This is a special concern of nursing mothers who may need an antidepressant to treat postpartum depression but want to continue to nourish their babies with milk from their own bodies.
In most cases, as long as the the mother's doctor and the baby's pediatrician agree that the antidepressant prescribed is safe for both mom and child, a breastfeeding mother is able to continue to breastfeed on medication. Nursing mother's considering taking an antidepressant should be informed on the risks and benefits of certain medications before agreeing to take one while nursing.
Safest Antidepressants to Take While Breastfeeding
Studies have shown the safest antidepressants for nursing mother's to take are Zoloft or Paxil. Both are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and work well on relieving postpartum depression. When blood levels for these drugs are done on breastfed infants whose mothers are taking these medications, the traces are are either low or not present. It appears that the amount of these drugs that pass into breast milk is minimal.
Safety and Risks of Taking Prozac While Breastfeeding
Prozac is another SSRI that can be taken by nursing mothers, but precautions need to be taken if this is the drug that is chosen, especially if Prozac is taken before the infant is two months old. Babies whose mothers took Prozac at the end of their pregnancy as well as while nursing are at a higher risk of developing toxicity because the drug has a longer half life than Zoloft of Paxil and stays in the babies system longer.
iVillage reports that breastfed infants whose mothers take Prozac may be more likely to develop colic and might be fussier than other babies. Studies have also shown that breastfed babies whose mothers take Prozac may have a slower rate of growth.
Dr. Sears states that Prozac can be safe and effective in low-doses as long as the infant is monitored. If taken in higher doses blood work may need to be done to make sure there is not too much of the medication in the baby's blood.
Benefits of Breastfeeding Over Weaning
Even if a new mother has to take an antidepressant, the benefits of continuing to nurse far outweigh any risks the minimal amounts of the medication found in breast milk will have on a baby. Breast milk is still the safest, purest and most nutritious form of nourishment in the first months of life. As long as a nursing mom wants to continue breastfeeding, is comfortable doing so and her pediatrician sees no risk to the infant she can continue to nurse.
A healthy mom is always best for a baby. If a mother is experiencing depression symptoms but is not comfortable nursing her infant while taking antidepressants it is probably in the best interest of both mother and child to wean the baby onto formula.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult your doctor or pediatrician before making medical decisions.
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