Dear Lactnetters, just wanted to clarify my previous post re: Lithium and Breastfeeding. I did not mean to imply that breastfeeding is contraindicated for the woman taking Lithium with my poor choice of words. Nor did I mean to label someone by their dis-ease process. I have personal experience with Bipolar Disorder and have no prejuidices against the mentally ill. I do agree with Susan that for the depressed individual Breastfeeding can be a remarkable and wonderful help with keeping depressive symptoms at bay and facilitating the bonding process. I also do not think it is appropiate to give a mom a blanket statement that there is very little risk, that would be negligent. There are a few documented cases of Lithium Toxicity in Newborns, not older babes, as referenced in Hale's new edition. We all know that having a babe is a stressful and sleep deprived albeit happy time for the new mom , two things that could throw a mom back into a hypomanic phase , even if she were taking the lithium. I wholeheartedly support BreastFeeding in the depressed mom , but with caution , not sugar coating, Lisa Mooney RN BSN *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html