Bipolar Support Group

I have been recently diagnosed with bp and I am breastfeeding my son. The docs want me to stop and take meds. Its a hard desison to make. I love the connection that I have with my son. What should I do?

I had postpartum psychosis and had to give up breastfeeding when my son was 4 weeks old. It broke my heart but I was going to end up killing myself because of the voices. So, how sick are you right now? Are you able to sleep? Are you manic, or are you suicidal? It is a hard thing to give up breastfeeding, but if you are in danger you may not have a choice. However, if you are just a little blue right now, know that going off of breastfeeding cold turkey can make you more depressed.

Congrats new mommy. Welcome here at mdj. I have two children and i breastfed both of them my daughter for 1 yr and my son for 9 mos. The meds i took were ok to still feed (antidep called Clonipramine (Anafranil) its an older tricylic med. I also took a low dose of Klonopin (clonazepam) antianxiety. I was taken off Lithium during both pregnancies. I know some people have to take Lithium anyway. I was fortunate to not need to but i did get therapy during pregnancies & breastfding days for the support.

thank you so much for the adivce. it is nice to have support through mdjunction.

If your docs want you to stop breasfeeding and go on meds there must be a reason for that. Are you having uncomfortable symptoms? Sometimes docs recommend you go back on meds b/c they want to see you well to be able to look after your baby. I always went right back on Lithium as soon as i was finished bf both my children. The final decision will be up to you and your docs, we here at mdj can only give your our experiences.

Post edited by: Dit, at: 10/03/2009 03:45 PM

I know how you feel about not wanting to give up the breast feeding. But if you are depressed or manic you're not 100% the mommy your son needs you to be and going on the meds would help you to be there for him better. I breast fed my two youngest and I was on prozac at the time, they say it's ok also. My daughter discovered the bottle and formula when she was 6 weeks old and I went back to work and she didn't want to have anything to do with that breast feeding any more. She broke my heart. But in the end it's what's best for you and your baby. And you can still have the connection and feed him a bottle. It doesn't mean you're any less connected. Welcome to MDJ. I'm glad you're here.