LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
"Merylin Davis, RNC, BSN, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 8 Jan 1997 01:13:44 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (39 lines)
In a message dated 97-01-05 10:24:48 EST, you write:

<< Date:    Sun, 5 Jan 1997 10:34:34 -0500
 From:    Jack Newman <[log in to unmask]>
 Subject: Antidepressants

 It's getting depressing how often this subject comes up.

 There is no definite answer on antidepressants.  Those of us that
 believe that breastfeeding is important and that the there are
 definite risks to artificial feeding believe that the mother can take
 antidepressants and continue to breastfeed.  As many physicians
 believe that breastfeeding and bottle feeding are about the same, or
 even that artificial feeding is *better*, they will say the mother
 should not breastfeed.

 I would say that sertraline (Zoloft), for theoretical reasons (high
 protein binding and others) would be a better choice than fluoxetine
 (Prozac) although we have had many mothers breastfeed with fluoxetine
 without any discernable effect on the baby.  A recent assay done in a
 nursing mother at our mother risk clinic in Toronto had the baby with
 undetectable levels of sertraline in his blood.  This does not mean
 zero, but just below the detectable level of the lab.  But it does
 mean very little.

 Thus, given the uncertainties of the long term effects of the
 antidepressants on the baby, what should we advise the mother?  We
 should tell her that we do not know the long term possible risks, but
 we do know there are definite risks with artificial feeding, some of
 them serious.  It is true that most babies fed artificially are do not
 get serious side effects, but then we do not know who will get the
 side effects, and there are quite likely other long term side effects
 we do not know about, given the very great differences between
 breastmilk and artificial baby milk.  AND THE MOTHER, ONCE SHE HAS AS
 MUCH INFORMATION AS SHE NEEDS, SHOULD THEN MAKE HER CHOICE AND ALL OF
 US, INCLUDING THE PHYSICIAN, SHOULD SUPPORT HER.

 Jack Newman, MD, FRCPC >>

ATOM RSS1 RSS2