Friend Breasfeeding & with Depression ( Any Medication That's Ok to Take?)

I would strictly go by what a physician says and also get a second opinion about the medication from 2 dr's so you have a better idea. Google the medication as well to read side affects. www.DiscoveryToysLink.com/LisaRyan You are a caring friend. LisaM

You're a nice person to be worried about your friend. There are in fact several anti-depressants that are safe to take while breastfeeding. I second the poster who has the link to Dr. Hale's website. He is very respected for his work and has a published book on Medications and Mother's Milk. (I think that's what it's called.) You (or your friend) can log into his website as a guest and look in the anti-depressants category for the medication she's taking. I want to say (but I'm not 100%) that zoloft is the drug of choice for a nursing mother. Please continue to support your friend's breastfeeding efforts.

She needs to discuss this with her pediatrician or OB/GYN. Alos, contact Le Leche League. Whenever I had to take medication while breastfeeding, my Le Leche League leader had this handy book with all the medications and how it's passed through breastmilk.

there most certainly medications safe for a nursing mother-
your friend's obgyn should know of them

Thomas Hale, Ph.D., one of the country's leading authorities on BF and meds, also has a website with a forum where (only) medical and lactational professionals can post questions, BUT anyone can READ:

http://neonatal.ttuhsc.edu/lact/medicationforumspage.html

None until finished tell her to excercize kick in the good endorphenes it really works walk alot keep active hope that helps
C

Once your friend talks to her doctor, she should ask specifically that each option for medication be looked up to see the safety level - they are all rated on a numerical scale.

Any doctor or IBCLC will have this reference available to answer these questions.

I went thru post-partum depression and was helped with medication and also acupuncture. The combination was enough to get me back to myself within a month or so.

I learned that all homeopathics are ok to take pregnant and breastfeeding. Homeopathy just assists the body to move blocked energy...therefore allowing the body's natural functions to flow.
Whole Foods sells most.
With the hormones ups and downs with pregnancy, birth and nursing it's not easy for any of us.
Some suggest getting the Placenta dried and capsulized and take a couple a day. I did it with both my births and had an easier transition.

Find a good psychiatrist; after all, they are the best ones at prescribing medication. Their background has to include pharmacology.

your friend should be asking a doctor, not a bunch of mothers, ALL who have an opinion, as you will see......this is a personal choice that should be discussed between patient & dr.
maybe the depression is worse then you think & then, breastfeeding shouldn;t be an option b/c you need to save her life. or it is a low-lying depression that will go away as hormones regulate & life changes, in which case she should continue BFing. You don't know-only her.
Just be there.