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Extended Nursing and Antidepressants

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  • Extended Nursing and Antidepressants

    I have been taking Zoloft while pregnant and nursing. The Academy of Pediatrics suggests that nursing should continue up until at least the second year of life. Is it safe to nurse for this extended amount of time and hopefully longer, taking Zoloft, or would I need to wean sooner? Do the benefits of the milk outweigh the risk of the meds even for an extended amount of time?

  • #2
    There are no known, long-term effects of SSRIs (like Zoloft) on babies exposed via breastmilk, even when exposed for an extended period. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh the risks of this medication.

    The Academy of Pediatrics does not explicitly say that breastfeeding should continue until the second year of life. Their policy statement recommends "exclusive breastfeeding for about 6 months, followed by continued breastfeeding as complementary foods are introduced, with continuation of breastfeeding for 1 year or longer as mutually desired by mother and infant." Any amount of breastfeeding is helpful and even if you can't continue that long, you have still done your child a great service.

    -James Abbey, MD

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