A new study, the first to look at the impact of antidepressants and breast feeding had findings that indicate that there could be a link between antidepressants and lactation in women. The study found that delayed lactation after giving birth was twice as common in moms who were taking SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressants than those moms that were not.

SSRI antidepressants are the most commonly prescribed and include Zoloft, Celexa, Prozac, Paxil and Lexapro. Researchers are concerned that other drugs that affect the serotonin levels might also cause the same issues in breastfeeding moms.

The study was small, looking at only 431 moms with only eight or 2% of them on the medication in question. Those conducting the study followed moms from birth through the first few days post partum, until their milk came in. Delayed lactation was determined when the lactating mom had not yet had plentiful milk production three days or 72 hours after given birth.

The eight moms who were on the antidepressant averaged 86 hours before viable milk production was achieved. While this is not ideal, these women were all able to breastfeed successfully even with delayed lactation.

Researchers agree that more studies will need to be done to determine if this is common in women on antidepressants. Even so, it does raise some red flags and lactation specialists are concerned that the delay could cause mothers, especially those without support, difficulty with breastfeeding. Even though women in this particular study were not affected, success and failure is often determined by how quickly the moms milk comes in. With delayed lactation many women quit prematurely thinking they cannot breast feed.

It is of course best for pregnant and lactating women to try other means before antidepressants. There are some alternative methods that have been shown to be successful in some women. On the flip side, for many women, depression can be severe during the last trimester and right after giving birth and medication many times is critical. These women should not be afraid to take SSRI drugs, but should be given extra support if they are. It is important that they be made aware that a possible side effect of the medication is delayed lactation. If they are aware and know they will need to stick with it a little longer before they establish their milk supply, it will hopefully be enough for them to be able to successfully breastfeed their babies.