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Xanax - anyone take it while BFing?

UseonfireUseonfire
in Postpartum Depression

I hate to say it, but it's one of the only meds that really puts me to sleep (particularly if I don't have high levels of anxiety at that point in time).  I had severe PPD/possible psychosis with my first and my 2nd is 11 days old and I do not want to go down the same path I did last time.  Of course my OB's office and the Pedi said heck no to Xanax, but I only need about .25 usually, so I am wondering how much .25 gets into breast milk and I'm wondering if anyone here has taken it while BFing and how much, what advice you were given etc. 

I have an RX for Trazodone but it's not as effective I don't think.  

I hate that I have to take anything at all for sleep.  I've been doing so much better with this baby than my first, but the sleep thing is killing me.  Probably because I am BFing (last time I was exclusively pumping) and I'm in the throes of engorgement which wakes me up at night.  

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Re: Xanax - anyone take it while BFing?

  • Melzig76Melzig76 member

    I would think that if both your OB and your Pedi told you no to the Xanax I would stay away from it. I know it's tough. If you can use the Trazadone, do it. Or maybe just use it until you are able to call on  Monday and see if you can get a prescription for something else.   

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  • jocelynleejocelynlee
    It will decrease respiration in your baby and could cause her to stop breathing..do not take it...
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  • Ardmhs83Ardmhs83 member
    Hmmm....that is funny. My pedi said I could nurse on Ativan, which is pretty much the same as xanax. i took .5 before bed...my son sttn and I nursed him when he woke up. Maybe that is why my pedi allowed it. They are very short acting drugs and most, if not all of the med was out of my system by the am. I also use Trazadone. It does help too, but now I use 2mg of klonopin for sleep now. i have ppd/ppa/ppocd. I know all about the sleep tjong. I suffered extreme insomnia until I got my meds all figured out. Good luck!
    PPD/PPA Mom...it has been super hard, but I'm making it! Slow steps...
    Mom to Carter (6), and Calianne (1).  
    Proud VBAC, natural birth, breastfeeding, cloth diapering momma!


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  • mrsbnlmelmrsbnlmel member

    I was told to pump and dump while I was on Xanax/Ativan. I only used them for a short period of time so it was feasible and I continued bf until 14 months. 

    They are fast acting drugs, but the half-life is somewhere around 12 hours. That means it takes your body 12 hours to excrete just half of the dose. They are not out of your system by morning. A single dose would likely be fine, but taking it daily could have an effect on your baby, so make sure your doctors are involved in your decision.

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  • laurasuzanne2006laurasuzanne2006 member

    A lactation consultant told me it was fine.  Would nock me out but baby was totally fine.  You can do your own research on lactmed as well and come up with  a decision you are comfortable with.

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