XP - anyone on SSRIs while pg and not breastfeed at all?

[verypunny]

I have been on Zoloft for 13 years. I tried to stop during my first two pregnancies, I was a monster. I took them well breast feeding all 3 and I never stopped taking them with the third pregnancy. I did decrease my dosage. I don't know about going straight to formula but I do know that it is better to take the drug and do better emotionally, mentally than to try to go without. I learned it the hard way and needed to hear it from my doctor for it to sink in.

[MixedBerryJam]

It sounds like what you did last time was gradual enough that it worked. Is that not an option with this one? I think you're right to get back on it and not get off it again so soon ahead of the baby. I'm betting you on the Lexapro is much better for your baby than you off it. Good luck, whatever course you take.

[MixedBerryJam]

Sept 30, 2013 11:24:18 GMT -5 @tambcat said:

Yeah, my doctor is fine with it either way and acted like he expected me to go back on them. lol. He was never thrilled about my big plans to wean and be drug free. I have no problem being on them while pg - looked at all the info about possible congenital issues and worked out in my mind last time that I was okay with that risk. But, having been through the weaning process myself, I feel kind of bad about the idea of putting my newborn through it. Although.. I guess life pretty much sucks for them in the beginning anyway, no matter what you do.

eta: MixedBerryJam, I'm not breastfeeding next time. It was not good for me emotionally.

Gotcha. Would pumping for a couple of weeks be an option then? Maybe pump, have the first couple of weeks be 50/50 bm and formula and decreasing from there,  just to keep the reduction gradual. When my first was born I used a hospital pump which was actually easier than nursing, but my issues were different than yours.

Other than that, can you just decrease, not stop, a few weeks ahead? Honestly, though, once you fet to the right dosage level I'd be reluctant to mess with that. It literally took me years to find the right drug and dose. 

[bluefish]

Take this FWIW, as I have not delivered. My doc suggested adding Prozac a few times a week in the last month before delivery. With its long half-life, he believes this will help to minimize withdrawal in the baby.
I've heard of people "downgrading" to Prozac when coming off of other ADs, so this sounded plausible.

[Deleted]

Forgive me, Tamb, but I'm not sure what you're asking. I was on ADs throughout my pregnancy. I tried to BF for like, 3 days, but hated it so I switched to EFF. Didn't notice any w/d symptoms.

[auntie]

Why don't you discuss this with your pediatrician? S/he's the one who will be caring for the new baby and may have some strategies or experience around this.

I'm watching a friend who gave up her Lexapro while TTC, pg and now bfing- she's really an unhappy mess right now.

[lolobeth802]

I exclusively BF'd my first born for a full year, my second child I BF'd for 2 weeks and then went straight to formula. My 3rd, I started on formula from day one and I was so much happier. I've been on anti depressants since I was a teen. My most difficult baby was my middle child, the 3rd was easiest. None were colicky and really terribly fussy, but baby #2 was a poor sleeper. I think the moral of my story is that none seemed to he effected at all by my antidepressant use.

[Yankees21]

I haven't delivered yet obviously, but the thought of giving up my AD in third tri is making me want to break out in hives. That hadn't occurred to me. Yikes :/