About Tammy Petersen Expertise I am a mother of 2 and have been a breastfeeding counselor for 12 years.I enjoy helping others make breastfeeding a successful venture.I have attended workshops,run a support group at an area hospital under the direction of a lactation consultant-board certified.I have an extensive knowledge of all the basics and can solve most immediate issues of breatfeeding problems.I also am very non-judgemental,I can help mothers who want a 6 weeks experience or 4 year extended nursing relationship.I also have personal experience with the Supplemental Nursing System/Lactaid as I was forced to use with both children [I am a sufferer of Insufficient Glandular Tissue].I also tandem nursed so as you can see I have a deversified portfolio.Thank you for your consideration of me.This is a wonderful site.
Experience I have two children that I breastfed. Due to less than 2 year apart, I tandem nursed for a year. I nursed them each for almost three years and lactated straight for 5 years.
Question I have a 5 day old newborn who spent 2 1/2 days on oxygen after a cesarian birth. He is doing very well now and we are planning on leaving the hospital today. Throughout my pregnancy I took 450mg of Wellbutrin XL. The neonatologist is now telling me that under no circumstances can I breastfeed him. The psychiatrist and lactation consultants are far less concerned. I am willing to go to a lower dose of 300mg, but that doesn't seem to reassure the neonatologist. Can you tell me if I should or should not breastfeed and what the risks are? My son was born full term and weighed 9lbs.
Answer Elizabeth,
Antidepressants are taken all the time by breastfeeding women. Wellbutrin is not a drug that is contraindicated for breastfeeding.
If you are not comfortable with that one, then there are many many alternative drugs out there for you to consider.
You should watch for lethargy in the baby. I have counseled many women over the past 13 years that have been on antidepressants and happily breastfed their babies.
