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Zoloft and Breast Feeding: Is It Safe Or Not?

Zoloft and breast feeding has brought up many questions on safety since this drug is one of the most popular anti-depressants that treats post-partum depression syndrome in women. Women the world over are prescribed Zoloft for treating acute depression which sets in immediately after the birth of a baby. Since, the ailment is triggered by the birth of the baby and it involves breastfeeding routine, the question arises whether the taking this drug to treat the mother would in any way affect the baby.

The Short Cut On Zoloft and Breast Feeding

Since the doctors know that milk formula is readily available, they normally tend to continue with the medication while stopping the breast feeding of the baby just to be on the safe side. Mothers caught up in the symptoms of depression, take the advice and stop breastfeeding the baby while on the treatment. However, is this course of action really justified?

Studies On Zoloft and Breast Feeding Point Towards It Being Safe With Infants

There had been so many studies on the use of zoloft and breast feeding. Most of the studies report that it is not harmful to the baby because the spillover of the drug in mother’s milk is extremely small – something like 1-2% which shows that zoloft and breast feeding is not a deadly combination. However, it should be clear that none of these studies were for effects over a long period of time.

Some doctors like to stay out of the controversy by advising mothers to take the drug only after breastfeeding. This indirectly implies that these doctors are not really sure of the impact it has on the infants who breastfeed after the intake of the drug. The fact remains that Zoloft is a great anti-depressant which is very effective – without any side effects.

Infants who were monitored after their mothers were medicated, were found to be okay. They did not cry more, nor slept heavier, nor was there any problem with their eating habits or appetite. Hence, generally speaking one can say that zoloft and breast feeding combo is okay.

However, until this fact is established and sustained officially, it is better to find alternatives to this treatment while breastfeeding or take the advice of the doctor and take the medication after breastfeeding. This does not mean in any way that Zoloft may be harmful to the infant, only that it is better to be on the safe side till studies prove it conclusively that it is okay.