Mental Health, Breastfeeding and Prozac: What Meds are Safe

The truth? Your mental health matters more than your milk supply. Today's topic...prozac.

🧠 Mental health and lactation are deeply connected—because guess what? You’re not just a milk machine. You’re a whole human.

✨ In this series, we’re diving into the messy, emotional, hormonal rollercoaster of breastfeeding—from oxytocin highs to postpartum lows. You’re not alone, and you’re definitely not broken.

💬 Let’s talk about it. Let’s normalize it. Let’s support each other through it.

Need someone safe to talk to right now? 1-833-tlc-mama, call or text 24/7

Have a medication question?

-call free infant risk center hotline m-f 8-3 cst 18063522519

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-google "lactmed database" for free drug and lactation database

🔬 Medical References: Fluoxetine (Prozac) & Breastfeeding

📌 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) – Fluoxetine is listed as potentially acceptable during breastfeeding, but with some caution due to its long half-life and higher transfer into breast milk compared to other SSRIs.

📌 LactMed Database (NIH) – Fluoxetine and its active metabolite norfluoxetine are detectable in breast milk and can accumulate, especially in newborns and preterm infants. Most babies tolerate it well, but occasional side effects like irritability or poor feeding have been reported.

📌 ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) – Supports use of SSRIs like fluoxetine in lactating parents when clinically indicated. Emphasizes that untreated perinatal depression carries greater risk than SSRI exposure.

📌 Hale’s Medications & Mother’s Milk – Fluoxetine is rated L2 (safer), but with a note of caution: due to its long half-life, it may not be the first-line SSRI for lactating parents, especially with newborns, but may still be appropriate if already effective for the parent.

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