If you’re taking antidepressants and planning to breastfeed, you may have some brief trouble at the start, say researchers from the University of Cincinnati.
According to the new research, published in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, women who take commonly used antidepressants could experience delayed lactation after giving birth. Researchers say these women might need additional support to achieve their breastfeeding goals.
The World Health Organization suggests that mothers breastfeed their babies exclusively for the first six months. Breastfeeding also has benefits for the mother, such as reducing breast cancer risk.
The difficultly known as delayed secretory activation is defined as a delay in full milk secretion. Nelson Horseman, PhD, of the University of Cincinnati and co-author of the study, says that a mother’s ability to secrete breast milk at the right time is associated with the production and regulation of the hormone serotonin.
Horseman said,
“Common antidepressant drugs like fluoxetine, sertraline and paroxetine are known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs and while they can affect mood, emotion and sleep, they may also impact serotonin regulation in the breast, placing new mothers at greater risk of a delay in the establishment of a full milk supply.”
The study included 431 postpartum women. Women who were taking SSRI drugs had a median onset of lactation at 85.8 hours postpartum, compared with 69.1 hours for mothers not taking the drugs. Delayed lactation is usually defined as starting more than 72 hours after giving birth. Researchers noted that more study is needed to make specific recommendations on SSRI drugs and breastfeeding.
If you’re concerned about delayed lactation, consult with a certified lactation consultant or another health professional, such as your doctor or your baby’s nurse.
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