Taking medication and breastfeeding

[RachelK_at_APP]

Did anyone take antipsychotic medication (I was on olazapine) and breastfeed?

Are there any safe for breastfeeding antipsychotics?

[Jenny_at_APP Partner]

Hi Rkmummy

Yes I think there are antipsychotics that are considered safe to take when breastfeeding - the following website might be helpful to look at specific medications: choiceandmedication.org/ncmh/

I took a low dose of quetiapine after having my second child, I believe it’s considered safe to take when breastfeeding but I chose not to breastfeed second time around.

It’s definitely something you should be able to discuss with your health professionals and I’m sure others here will have experience to share.

Best wishes,

Jenny x

[Mims2014]

I had a second child (pp first only). I took antipsychotics and never breast fed on medication. It’s a personal choice but sharing the responsibility of feeding helped, I could sleep and have a few hours off. A fed baby is the most important and I’m glad of my decision

[Teresa_K_S Volunteer]

Hi Rkmummy

Im afraid I don't know much about this to answer your query.

For both my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies I was changed to an older antidepressant (amitryptaline) which I was able to continue taking whilst breastfeeding. My psychiatrists got advice from a pharmacists about my breast feeding whilst taking the amitriptyline The pharmacist wrote out quite a bit of advice about the half life of the med and how much medication was passed on in lactation and hence when the best time to take the med was. He suggested that I take the med immediately after giving the baby a large feed. I was never given an antipsychotic during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding but I am sure a psychiatric could make similar enquires to a pharmacist of any medication queried

Hope this helps

Teresa x

[Bumblebeeee]

I am breast feeding and have been on quietipine through pregnancy and through bf. Have been told it’s safe. Also on serterline too x

[Hazello Volunteer]

Hi Rkmummy,

I breastfed my son for 16 months including the first 9 months or so when I was on olanzapine. My psychiatrist advised me that the benefits of breastfeeding on olanzapine would outweigh the risks to my son. And it's so personal to each woman but for me breastfeeding was a really important part of my recovery as it helped me to feel calmer and connected with my son even when my brain was elsewhere. I think if I had another baby I would do the same again as my son has not suffered any ill effects from the medication that we can see yet.

Maybe it's the cause of his being quite prone to tantrums and stubborn... However I suspect genetics has more to do with it!

Hazello

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