I have been having debilitating anxiety since the birth of my baby and would like some help- I don't know (*nor do the doctors) what is "safe" to take while breastfeeding or if I should forego the breastfeeding and do formula in order to take some medication. I appreciate any help with this as I am barely functioning with this anxiety and have a 6 wk old to take care of. Thankyou.
2006-11-13 11:47:30 · 8 answers · asked by scorpiatch 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
If you have names of medications, I can look them up for you in the book "Medications & Mother's Milk" by Dr. Hale which is *THE* text for this kind of information. Your local La Leche League Leader and/or Lactation Consultant can also look them up as they would probably have the book.
If you private message me with meds names, I can look them up. There is almost certainly some medication that is safe for you to take.
Zoloft and Paxil were mentioned by others.
Zoloft is the "best drug choice so far" according to Hale. It has a low, low transfer rate to breastmilk (17-173 ug/liter) in mothers taking up to 150 mg/day. In one excellent study of 11 mother/infant pairs, the zoloft was undetectable in 7 of the 11 breastfeeding infants' serum and minimal in the other infants. In two other studies of one and three mother/infant pairs respectively, zoloft was undetectable in the plasma of all 4 infants. A theoretical concern with Zoloft is that some babies may not gain weight as rapidly or as well when breastfed by moms on Zoloft; so weight gain should be monitored and dosage tweaked as necessary.
Paxil has low blood plasma levels in the mother, and a low transfer rate to human milk. It was undetected in the blood plasma of 7 of 8 breastfed infants in one study, all 16 of the infants in a second study, and all 24 of the infants in a third study. For babies exposed to paxil in utero, there is evidence that withdrawal may occur 24-48 hours after birth.
2006-11-13 11:59:28 · answer #1 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of those meds are category C. Which means that they have not been tested on animals , nor humans. I had to go off of my Zoloft when I found out that I was pregnant . I have been thinking about what you are for a while now. Should I formula feed and go on my meds or should I find other ways to deal with the anxiety and breastfeed ? I am still undecided. I think it depends on if the quality of your mothering is suffering. If it is , then going on your meds and formula feeding will be the best for your child. Just do what is best for your child . Good luck.
2006-11-13 11:53:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Zoloft helps with depression AND anxiety. I had severe postpartum anxiety & depression and the Zoloft has really helped. It is also safe to take while pregnant AND breastfeeding.....very very very minimal amounts pass to breast milk. Get to you DR right away, Zoloft usually takes about 7-10 days to take affect. Good luck to you, if I could get through it anyone can! :-)
~Heather
2006-11-13 11:54:45 · answer #3 · answered by me 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I have always heard taking meds while breast feeding is not a good idea........obviously the doctors would know more than me about this.
However, there is an old Chinese remedy for anxiety which is drinking a cup of hot water. You simply heat a cup of water to coffee/hot tea type temperature and sip on it. This allows for an instant calm.........try it before you think it really sounds strange - it REALLY WORKS.
Good luck, just remember all things are temporary and these feelings hopefully will subside for you in the near future.
2006-11-13 12:00:58 · answer #4 · answered by floshang 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have read some litterature about panic attacks. But they allways seem to have a more scientific approach and that is nothing I need in my struggle to survive those horrible panic attacks. This is a "hand on" and very practical book. I felt it was written to me. I am sure that you are going to feel the same.
Joe Barry writes exactly how I think. The examples are perfectly described. And the method is genius. I recommend this book and thanks Joe Barry for writing it. It changes your life
2016-05-17 13:14:30 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i have a very good friend who had really bad anxiety during and after her pregnancy. it got to the point where she wouldn't even leave the house. they put her on Paxil. she was also breast feeding. i would ask your doctor about it. it really helped her.
2006-11-13 11:52:21 · answer #6 · answered by colees 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My son quit wanting to drink my milk soon after I started a pill for anxiety. It was supposed to be safe, but he would bawl and bawl after tasting the milk, then try again, then bawl again.... Sorry this isn't more helpful.
2006-11-13 11:50:51 · answer #7 · answered by *babydoll* 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No! Listen to your family doctor and DO NOT take it. It can be very harmful for your baby.
2016-03-28 04:46:41 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋