Studies show that many antidepressants are safe for nursing mothers and their babies, but each case is unique.
We can only understand how antidepressants taken by a nursing mother affect her baby by studying specific cases. In these studies, the concentration of the drug in the baby's blood serum is measured regularly. If it is minimal, then it is assumed that the effect of the medication on the child is insignificant.
According to studies [1, 2, 3, 4], the following antidepressants have the least effect on breastfed babies:
- sertraline;
- paroxetine;
- nortriptyline;
- imipramine.
That means that they can be considered a better choice for nursing women.
On the other hand, some antidepressants can have a greater effect on the child, such as:
- fluoxetine;
- citalopram;
- venlafaxine.
These drugs have to be managed with caution.
Treatment with antidepressants is always case-specific, and the decision to prescribe them can only be made by a doctor. Along with their patients, doctors have to assess the benefits against the possible risks.
Research results should be interpreted conservatively, as the studies were conducted on a limited number of women and babies. In some cases, a psychiatrist may prescribe a drug without relying solely on research data. For example, if a woman took a certain antidepressant during pregnancy with no side effects, then the doctor may recommend she continue on the drug during her breastfeeding period.
