Citation

Kendall-Tackett K, Hale TW. J. Hum. Lact. 2010; 26(2): 187-195.

Affiliation

Texas Tech University School of Medicine, Amarillo, Texas, USA. kkendallt@aol.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0890334409342071

PMID

19652194

Abstract

Antidepressants are one of the most commonly prescribed medications for pregnant and lactating women. However, there have been some recent concerns about their safety. This article summarizes recent research on the impact of untreated depression on the baby, the effects of antidepressants on the baby when prescribed during pregnancy, the short- and longer-term effects of prenatal exposure on infants and children, and the passage of medications into breast milk. Recommendations are made on providing mothers and their health care providers with information so they can make accurate risk/benefit analyses about using these medications while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Contains data on the locations and furniture type (beds, sofas, etc.) where mothers fell asleep while nursing their infants with implications for co-sleeping / bedsharing risks.

Language: en