Postpartum depression & Breastfeeding anyone else help please!!

Melissa - posted on 02/27/2010

This hit close to home fore me-- I developed PPD after 6 months-- I tryed EVERY med that was safe while nursing, but nothing was working-- I just "Dealt" with the PP and went to counseling-- I was so down on myself, that my milk supply just kept getting lower and lower-- ALL because I was to depressed to get up and feed her-- My husband had to make a bottle, and feed her. It was HORRIBLE-- That just made it worse and worse-- Finally, she just stopped nursing altogether-- Talk about the worst day ever for me! Then I was finally able to start taking meds that I couldn't take while nursing, and WA-LA, I have felt amazing-- DON'T take that I stopped nursing as the cure, because it was NOT. What I'm saying is that in my opinion, you should take what the dr. prescribes you, and trust in him. Counseling is great, but when your that far down, you don't even want to get up and go... You just can't gain any ground--
Just don't give up on that precious angel that is counting on you-- I had to learn from my mistakes (even though PPD was NOT my fault).

Aicha - posted on 02/27/2010

there are some depression medications that are safe to take while nursing you can ask a pharmacist or doctor and they will know which ones will be safest . I use a counselor because in the past I had allergic reactions to several depression medications

Delia - posted on 02/26/2010

Hi there! In south africa you get a drug called Eglanyl which is safe to take while breastfeeding and actually increases milk supply! I took it for bout a year. You can take up to 3 tablets daily depending on how bad you're feeling. But it certainly helped me, just takes the edge off!

Iona - posted on 02/25/2010

I waited until my daughter was 9 months old before I finally gave in and took Zoloft (50 mg). I soooo wish I had done it sooner, as I feel drastically better. In fact, I felt better within a week and have enjoyed my daughter so much more these last three months. My doctor assured me that it was safe while breastfeeding! And, Zoloft is apparently one of the safest anti depressants out there for breastfeeding.

One side note....when I first started my milk supply dropped drastically. Under doctors supervision, I cut the amount in half and the milk came right back. So, just be aware of this possible side effect (extremely rare), and be ready to talk to your doctor about it. But, I know many women on this medicine, all of whom feel much better and none of whom had the milk supply drop I experienced!

All that to say.....if the doctor recommends it, the best thing for your baby is for you to be in a good place. A happy mom makes for a happy baby. And, if it takes some medicine to help that happen, then thank God for medicine!

Charmaine - posted on 02/25/2010

i had post pardum depression also... i hate medications and everything goes through your milk and the last thing i wanted was for my son to have that going into his system... so i delt with the post pardum depression by talking to friends, napping as much as possible, eating healthy and crying alot... but i did it for my son, whats best for him... the post pardum depression will go away... it took me like 5-6 months but now that i look back.. feeling like that was better then feeding my child drugs.... join a support group... u can even email me... my friend also had this, never took any drugs, just did what i did and called me 50 times per day ... good luck

Brandy - posted on 02/25/2010

I dealt with postpartum depression after the birth of my 2nd son and again with my recent baby boy. I've never taken meds but I do go to a councilor on a regular basis. We have talked about meds but as long as I can talk to someone I seem to be coping. I still have really tough days and even weeks. I would suggested trying talking with someone and if not the medication route isn't a bad route. The doctors are usually really good about getting you something that is compatible with breastfeeding. Godd luck!