• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Breastfeeding Network HomepageThe Breastfeeding Network

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
National Breastfeeding Helpline logo
  • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Our Vision and Aims
    • Achievements and Awards
    • Our Services
    • Governance Information
    • Who’s Who
      • BfN Central Staff Team
      • BfN Board of Directors
    • Media Centre
      • Press Coverage
  • Breastfeeding Information
    • Mastitis Information
    • Thinking of Breastfeeding?
      • Why Breastfeed?
      • What Do I Need?
      • What to Expect
      • Worried You Can’t Breastfeed?
      • You Didn’t Breastfeed Your Other Children
      • How Long Should You Breastfeed For?
    • Getting Started with Breastfeeding
      • How to Breastfeed
      • Responsive Breastfeeding
      • Establishing and Increasing Milk Supply
      • How To Know Your Baby is Getting Enough Milk
      • Skin-to-skin
      • Your Breastmilk in the First Week
    • Breastfeeding Challenges
      • Pain: If Breastfeeding Hurts
      • Low milk supply and helping your baby gain weight
      • Baby won’t latch
      • Baby breastfeeds all the time
      • Reflux and your baby
      • Cows milk protein allergy (CMPA) & lactose intolerance in breastfed babies
      • Tongue tie
    • Continuing the breastfeeding journey
      • Breastfeeding in public
      • Expressing and storing breastmilk
      • Returning to work or study
      • Introducing a bottle
      • Starting solids
      • Donating milk/milk banking
    • Diversity in Breastfeeding
    • Can I breastfeed if…
  • Get Support
  • Get Involved
    • Donate
    • Vacancies
    • Train with us
    • Fundraising
    • Volunteer for Us
    • Become a Friend
    • BfN Breastfeeding Friendly Scheme
    • Conference and AGM 2025
  • Resources
    • Drugs in Breastmilk factsheets
    • Shop
    • Publications & Leaflets
    • Breastfeeding information for children and young people
  • Blog
  • Donate
Home » Feeling depressed and Breastfeeding?
FACTSHEET

Feeling depressed and Breastfeeding?

This information can also be viewed as a PDF by clicking here.

The information provided is taken from various reference sources.  It is provided as a guideline.  No responsibility can be taken by the author or the Breastfeeding Network for the way in which the information is used.  Clinical decisions remain the responsibility of medical and breastfeeding practitioners.  The data presented here is intended to provide some immediate information but cannot replace input from professionals.

You can take anti-depressants and continue to breastfeed without harming your baby.

Around 10-15% of mothers feel depressed during the first year or so after giving birth.  Many of them are also breastfeeding.  It is nothing to feel ashamed about.  It is important to ask for help.

Symptoms of depression are sometimes vague and hard to define but include:

  • a persistent feeling of sadness and low mood which goes on for days and weeks
  • loss of interest things that used to give you pleasure
  • lack of energy, feeling tired all the time
  • trouble sleeping at night when your baby is asleep
  • problems concentrating and making decisions
  • loss of appetite or an increased appetite
  • feeling agitated, irritable or that you “can’t be bothered”)

Our mood varies from day to day, week to week, but if you feel miserable on more days than you feel happy then you should share with those who love you how you feel and think about discussing this with your health visitor or doctor.

If you are feeling miserable because breastfeeding isn’t proving to be as easy as you hoped please keep asking for help from local drop in support groups or by calling the National Breastfeeding Helpline.

The drug of choice for someone who has never had depression before is sertraline which passes into breastmilk in very low levels.  If you have been treated for depression before, the drug which is best for you is probably the one which helped you then.  For more detailed information, visit bfn.local/antidepressants.  

If anyone tells you that you have to stop breastfeeding in order to take a medication please contact the Drugs in Breastmilk Helpline via facebook (www.facebook.com/BfNDrugsinBreastmilkinformation) or email
(drug-information@breastfeedingnetwork.org.uk) and we will discuss this with you and help you find information based on research.

 ©Dr Wendy Jones MBE, MRPharmS and the Breastfeeding Network Sept 2019

Also in Mental health:

ADHD and Breastfeeding

ADHD and Breastfeeding

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Breastfeeding

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Breastfeeding

Feeling anxious and Breastfeeding

Feeling anxious and Breastfeeding

Anxiety and Breastfeeding

Anxiety and Breastfeeding

Antidepressants and Breastfeeding

Antidepressants and Breastfeeding

Footer

Contact us

Helplines | Online chat

Copyright © 2025 The Breastfeeding Network. Registered Charity No SC027007
Accessibility | Privacy Notice | Members area

Scroll Up