Antidepressant medications and breastfeeding

Shoshana Bennett, Clinical Psychologist & Postpartum Specialist, explains why women on antidepressant medications cannot breastfeed.
Antidepressant medications and breastfeeding | Kids in the House
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Antidepressant medications and breastfeeding

Comment
48
Like
48
Transcription: 
Breastfeeding mothers are given medications, psychiatric medications, all the time, routinely. And they do great and also their babies do really well. But then again, it's really important to work with a doctor who knows what's okay and what's not okay. Because some medications are contraindicated; they're not alright for breastfeeding. But typically, what's most important to know here is that most moms do not have to choose between using their breast milk to feed their babies and taking care of their mental health. And that's what is so important for them to know. If they feel that they must make a choice between taking care of themselves, if they need the medication, or using their breast milk, please, please take care of yourself. Because the greatest gift to a baby is a happy, healthy, well mommy.

Shoshana Bennett, Clinical Psychologist & Postpartum Specialist, explains why women on antidepressant medications cannot breastfeed.

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

Shoshana Bennett, PhD

Clinical Psychologist & Postpartum Specialist

Shoshana Bennett, PhD (“Dr. Shosh”) from the popular DrShosh.com Radio Show is the author of Pregnant on Prozac, Postpartum Depression For Dummies, and co-author of Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety.  She is also the creator of the new mobile app PPD Gone.  National TV shows including  20/20, Discovery Channel, The Doctors and The Ricki Lake Show feature Dr. Shosh as the pregnancy and postpartum mood expert and news stations such as CNN consult her. Several publications including the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Jose Mercury News have written articles on Dr. Shosh’s work.  She’s interviewed regularly on national radio and has been quoted in dozens of newspapers and magazines such as The Wall Street Journal, WebMD, Boston Globe, Fit Pregnancy, Glamour, Parenting, Psychology Today, New York Post, Self, Cosmopolitan, and the Chicago Tribune. 

Dr. Shosh is a pioneer in the field.  She is a survivor of two life-threatening postpartum depressions. She founded Postpartum Assistance for Mothers in 1987, and is a former president of Postpartum Support International. Dr. Shosh helped develop the official Postpartum Support International training curriculum for professionals which is now considered the gold standard in the field. She has helped over 19,000 women worldwide through individual consultations, support groups and wellness seminars.  As a noted guest lecturer and keynote speaker, she travels throughout the US and abroad, training medical and mental health professionals to assess and treat postpartum depression and related mood and anxiety disorders. She earned three teaching credentials, two masters degrees, a PhD and is licensed as a clinical psychologist.

More Parenting Videos from Shoshana Bennett, PhD >
Enter your email to
download & subscribe
to our newsletter