Calling all experts:

A mom asked me to post to Lactnet regarding the safety of Prozac for
premature babies.  Mom has been diagnosed with post-partum depression by
her OB, who wants to give her Prozac, and who, along with her Family
Doctor, has assured her Prozac is OK for baby.  Baby is 15 days old, was
3 1/2 weeks premature.  Infant birth weight was 4#9, currently baby is
over 5# and has been gaining about an ounce a day the past few days.

As an aside, let me say that I think the real issue for this mom is that
she is very vulnerable as a new mom (of a premie, too), is very fatigued & is
not getting a lot of support from her doctors.  When she told her doctor
she was sleeping with her baby she was told she could kill it, and so the
mom is guiltily doing so occasionally anyway, but is very uncomfortable
with going against her doctor.  To get more sleep at night, she's been
having her husband cup-feed EMM for at least feed a night.  On the bright
side, it sounds like her nursing experience is going well, and she is
enjoying her baby.  I worry though...the last mom who had attended League
meetings and who was subsequently diagnosed with PPD ended up weaning her
baby in a matter of weeks.  Any suggestions for support or assistance I
could offer a mom in this situation???  TIA,


Fuming in Bloomington,

Penny Piercy, LLLL, MOM (Patrick 2 1/2)