Antidepressants and Breastfeeding

QUESTION: I had problems with postpartum depression when I was 7 months pregnant with Cody. My doctor had me take Zoloft. After I gave birth to Cody I stopped taking Zoloft. It seems when I get ready to start my period, for a couple of days I have the depression attacks. I think breastfeeding is still causing me to have these attacks, but I don't want to stop breastfeeding until Cody is ready to quit. I stopped taking the Zoloft, because there weren't very many studies on how it affected the child. But, someone had asked if I had tried St. John's Wort. I wasn't sure if it is okay to take this if I am still breastfeeding. Cody breastfeeds about 3 or 4 times a day, mostly when he is ready to take a nap. If you could please let me know what you think. Thanks.

Because many of the most commonly used antidepressants have not been available for years, we don't have the best answers on what is "safe" for both pregnant and breastfeeding mothers who suffer from depression. There was an article in the New England Journal of Medicine 336:258-62, 1997 that looked at Prozac and tricyclic antidepressants used during pregnancy. Of course, these drugs cross the placenta, but in this study there was no adverse effect on the neurodevelopment of these babies when they became preschool age. I don't know of a similar study on Zoloft, but we do not discourage mothers from breastfeeding on either drug. When one weighs the pros and cons, one always has to realize there are risks to giving babies formula, both short term and long term. For many mothers, breastfeeding is an important part of their recover process from depression.

Dr. Jane Morton, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, is an expert on nursing premature infants as well as a member of the Breastfeeding.com medical advisory board. Dr. Morton has answered several of your breastfeeding questions. Look for more Q&A forums with Dr. Morton in the future.

Important Disclaimer

This Breastfeeding.com service is designed to help visitors obtain advice and guidance. You are solely responsible for the outcome of any services and/or advice you are given.   Breastfeeding.com is not responsible for any services and/or advice given by the consultants, and shall not be liable or responsible to any person or entity for any loss or damage caused, or alleged to be have been caused, directly or indirectly by the information or ideas contained, suggested, or referenced. Your participation in this service is solely at your own risk