Is st. john's wort and kava kava safe to take while nursing? What are the side effects? Dosage?!


Question: Is st. john's wort and kava kava safe to take while nursing.? What are the side effects.? Dosage.?
Answers:
Ask your doctor (preferable and OBGYN that has knowledge in these areas), I believe st johns wort does pass into the breast milk and like mentioned above you would need a moderate amount to get any desired effect. Remember to always let your doc know before you start taking any medication, herb, or supplement.

Your doctor can prescribe or recommend medication that is the least likely to cross into your milk or atleast not have any detrimental effects on the baby. Ambien is generally considered safe and there is now a generic form on the market. Most drugs that are specifically for anxiety are not safe to take while breast feeding, but there are a few anti-depressants that are safe and also help with anxiety and may even help with your sleeping problems.

If your doctor prescribes you sleeping pills, see if he can give you a sample first, while the drugs may be "safe" sleeping pills tend to effect people in very different ways. I'd try a 1/2 dose first and then also make sure that you are still able to "function" if baby wakes up during the night. If not, there are several different drugs available.

You sound like you may be experiencing some postpartum anxiety or depression..please make sure to talk to your doctor about this and seek some support and/or counseling...I know you said that you have none to help you with baby, but there are free programs and counselors for people in your situation and you can bring your baby, your doctor can probably refer you to someone..

Good luck
From someone that has gone through this too.
e-mail me if you want to talkHealth Question & Answer

anything you ingest, no matter what kind of food, drink or drug, passes immediately into your breast milk.

St. John's Wort needs to be taken 2-3 times daily for it to have any effect upon you. Less than 1/2 a dose will be felt by your baby. So, no, it isn't safe at any dosage. *side effects for baby could be slowed or stopped breathing*

Alternatives to meds while nursing....if you are depressed, and you probably are, sleep. That is actually what your body needs right now, no matter what anyone else says about sleep. Your body heals quickest when you sleep, so sleep when baby sleeps, nurse when baby is hungry. simple. Find somene else to cook and clean.

I know this is probably difficult, but I had to do it, too. this happened with my fourth child. I had to "borrow" a neighbor girl to come feed the other kids, bring me my meals, change my baby's diaper, etc. for about 2 weeks. I couln't even pay her, but her momma let her come and help out anyways! This was actually my doctor's orders. Otherwise, he was going to hospitalize me and then I would be away from my whole family and not be able to nurse my baby. This was the best advice I have ever gotten about taking care of yourself so you can take care of your family. Health Question & Answer



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