Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Do antidepressants delay milk coming in?

A new study that will be published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that women taking the most commonly prescribed antidepressants (Prozac, Paxil and Zoloft) during pregnancy had a delay in their milk coming in. Because breasts are seratonin-regulated glands, the theory goes that these antidepressants, which are selective seratonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can impact seratonin regulation in the breast. According to the study:

Researchers examined the effects of SSRI drugs on lactation using laboratory studies of human and animal cell lines and genetically modified mice. Furthermore, an observational study evaluated the impact of SSRI drugs on the onset of milk production in postpartum women. In this study of 431 postpartum women, median onset of lactation was 85.8 hours postpartum for the SSRI-treated mothers and 69.1 hours for mothers not treated with SSRI drugs. Researchers commonly define delayed secretory activation as occurring later than 72 hours postpartum.
I know that several people who read this blog are on SSRIs and were on them while pregnant and breastfeeding. Did you find this to be true? Did it take longer than the typical 3 days for your mature milk to come in? The only person I "know" who has openly discussed her use of an SSRI during pregnancy and breastfeeding is Rebecca Walker. In her book, Baby Love, Walker actually talks about how she made tons of milk, and while her son was in the NICU, she had pumped so much that she filled up their tiny refrigerator very quickly. Perhaps that is the difference, that because she was pumping from the beginning and so frequently, and without the expectation that her milk would come in quickly, she was able to successfully breastfeed. Is it possible this would need to be standard protocol for moms on antidepressants? Is the take away that moms should be informed of this possibility and be encouraged to pump? The authors of the study admit that more human research is necessary before any recommendations can be made for moms taking SSRIs.



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Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Review: Bravado's Allure Underwire Nursing Bra

Check out my review of one of Bravado!'s newest bras, the Allure Underwire Nursing Bra, over at Blacktating Reviews.


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Friday, January 15, 2010

How to Help Haiti

I've been talking a lot the past few days, with anyone who will listen, about how to help in Haiti. In my city, and probably yours, too, various organizations, radio stations, churches and synagogues are asking for donations to send to Haiti. Everyone's heart is in the right place, but if you want to help the people of Haiti and the relief efforts there, it is best to send money. That is the message from the Red Cross and President Bill Clinton, who is the United Nations Special Envoy to Haiti. So if you can, donate money. The easiest way to do this is to text "haiti" to 90999 on your cell phone, which will donate $10 to Red Cross.

I'm also noticing that people are asking for donations of infant formula to be sent to Haiti. Infant formula is not appropriate in emergency situations. Please tell your friends and family members not to send infant formula to Haiti. Artificial feeding increases the risk of infection, disease and death during an emergency. Donations of infant formula to areas hit by natural disasters has also led to decreased breastfeeding in the past. Mothers who are perfectly capable of breastfeeding will often stop and begin using formula when it is provided during emergencies. According to a study by UNICEF , 42% of infants were fed formula after the earthquake in Indonesia, compared to 27% pre-quake. People who send infant formula to Haiti are well-meaning, but misguided. Please explain to them that this is a dangerous practice. For more information on breastfeeding during emergencies, please see this World Health Organization podcast or the International Lactation Consultant Association's position paper on this issue. 




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Thursday, January 14, 2010

Review & Giveaway: Simply Breastfeeding & Breast Pumps & Briefcases

Check out my updated review of Shari Criso's Simply Breastfeeding DVD and Breast Pumps & Briefcases CD. One of my readers will win a copy of each! Enter at Blacktating Reviews

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Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The Art Star & The Sudanese Twins

I was looking for new DVDs to purchase recently and when I saw this cover, my heart stopped.





Yes that is a very white woman breastfeeding two very dark-skinned children. The documentary is called The Art Star and the Sudanese Twins and it's about artist Vanessa Beecroft and her attempt to adopt these twins from the Sudan. From what I can gather online, she was on a trip to the Sudan and ended up breastfeeding the twins after meeting them in an orphanage. Although the babies were in an orphanage, their parents were alive. This, apparently, didn't stop Ms. Beecroft from attempting to adopt them (and why should it, I mean, Angelina Jolie and Madonna did the same thing, right?)

Anyway, I think this documentary will be very interesting and I am curious to see how breastfeeding and race are handled in the film. I have it at home and will try to watch it this weekend and post my thoughts to the blog. Has anyone seen this documentary or heard of it or the artist? Please share your thoughts in the comments!


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