Postpartum Anxiety Medication Guide

As a new mom, you have a lot on your plate. From shifting advice on sleep routines to constantly changing feeding guidelines, it’s easy to feel like you’re doing it all wrong — and let your worry get the best of you.

It might even leave you wondering: Is postpartum anxiety medication something I need? Is it safe to take when breastfeeding?

You want relief, but you also want to protect your newborn from any potential risks. So, how do you balance taking care of yourself while safeguarding your baby’s health? 

Below, we cover safe ways to manage postpartum anxiety, including medications. But first, let’s break down what postpartum anxiety is — and isn’t.

Postpartum anxiety (AKA postnatal anxiety) is an anxiety disorder that can happen after giving birth.

Most new moms experience some anxious thoughts during this period — babies don’t exactly come with an instruction manual, after all. But postpartum anxiety involves significant feelings of anxiety that can get in the way of your daily life and your ability to care for yourself and your baby. 

You may experience postpartum anxiety right after birth or it may creep in during the first year of your baby’s life.

Postpartum Anxiety Symptoms 

Postpartum anxiety can feel different for everyone, but common symptoms include: 

• Disrupted sleep

• Muscle tension

• Nausea

• Loss of appetite

• Inability to relax

• Irritability

• Difficulty focusing

• Feeling generally “on edge”

• Rapid heart rate 

• Shortness of breath

Some moms (and non-moms) might tell you that these symptoms are just part of looking after a newborn — sleepless nights, feeling overwhelmed, and no time to unwind. 

And yes, that’s true to an extent. But here’s the difference: postpartum anxiety involves persistent, unhealthy patterns of worry. 

If anxiety starts preventing you from taking care of your baby or yourself, you could be facing more than typical new-parent stress. It could be postpartum anxiety disorder. 

Learn more about the ins and outs of postpartum anxiety in our guide.

Postpartum Anxiety vs. Postpartum Depression 

Postpartum depression (PDD) is a type of depression you can experience in the postpartum stage. 

It has some overlapping symptoms with postpartum anxiety, like trouble sleeping, poor concentration, and fatigue. 

But with PPD, you may also experience symptoms like: 

• Feelings of worthlessness

• Depressed mood for extended periods 

• Thoughts of suicide or death

Put very simply: Postpartum anxiety may feature excessive worrying, while postpartum depression may feature excessive sadness or feelings of emptiness. 

It’s also possible to experience postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression at the same time. 

It’s not always clear what causes postpartum anxiety, just like it’s not always clear what causes anxiety disorders in general. 

But the following may play a role: 

• Stress. Stress can come from factors like breastfeeding struggles, birth recovery, relationship strain, or financial worries that come with a growing family.

• Hormonal changes. Hormones can disrupt your mood big time, and your hormones are all over the place post-birth. 

• Lack of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can also disrupt your mood and ability to function.

• Increased responsibilities. Taking care of yourself, your new baby, and any other kids, too, all while recovering from birth = a recipe for anxiety. 

The risk of postpartum anxiety varies from mom to mom.

Your chances of developing an anxiety disorder during the postpartum period are higher if you:

• Care for multiple children

• Lack support from a partner, family, or larger network

• Have an eating disorder or a history of eating disorders

• Have newborn or baby with health conditions

• Have experienced a previous loss of a pregnancy

• Have family history of mood disorders or anxiety

Managing anxiety can be tricky during the postpartum period. It’s not just the hormonal shifts and physical changes — there’s also breastfeeding to consider.

Many medications can pass through breastmilk, so some commonly prescribed anxiety medications aren’t ideal for new moms. But a healthcare provider can recommend some relatively safe options during this time. 

Before starting any medication, it’s important to discuss potential risks and benefits with your doctor to find the best approach for your situation. 

Sedatives

Sedatives like benzodiazepines can be a safe option for mothers with anxiety in the postpartum phase. In particular, a sedative called lorazepam. 

Lorazepam works well for short-term relief, usually for one to three months, but it’s not meant for longer use due to its risk of dependency.  

For lasting anxiety management, therapies like psychotherapy might be worth exploring, too. 

Antidepressants

Some antidepressant medications can also help treat anxiety. And they may be safe for some people postpartum.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) fight anxiety by helping the brain better manage serotonin, a powerful neurotransmitter and mood regulator. 

SSRIs that a doctor might prescribe to someone breastfeeding include: 

• Sertraline (Zoloft®)

• Paroxetine (Paxil®)

There’s some evidence that antidepressants pose short-term risks for newborns and infants, but they’re not serious, and there have only been a few reports, so researchers aren’t sure the minor problems were really caused by the antidepressants. Ultimately, there’s not much research on whether there are long-term risks for the baby.

Experts believe the risk to infants from medication passed through breastfeeding is low. But more research is needed to understand long-term safety. 

Consider talking to a healthcare professional about the potential risks and benefits of taking an SSRI for postpartum anxiety.

Speaking with a healthcare provider about your personal circumstances can help you find the answer. 

Currently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) hasn’t approved any medications specifically for postpartum anxiety. But a healthcare professional might recommend medication if the benefits outweigh the potential risks to your baby. 

Alternative Postpartum Anxiety Treatments 

If medication isn’t an option, what can you do to treat postpartum anxiety? Your unique symptoms will help guide the best treatment for you. 

Some effective non-drug treatments, include: 

• Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT)

• Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT)

• Lifestyle changes, like changes to your sleep, exercise routine, and diet

A mental health professional may also suggest other non-drug treatments and help you learn coping skills for anxiety.

As a new mom, you’re up against a lot. Postpartum anxiety is just one of the many challenges you might face, but it’s not one you have to tackle alone.

Let’s recap what we know about postpartum anxiety medication and treatment:

• Medication can help ease severe symptoms. But it’s not suitable for everyone. If you’re breastfeeding, a doctor can help you weigh the pros and cons of taking medication for anxiety.

• When medication isn’t an option, other treatments can help. Therapy, lifestyle changes, and anxiety coping strategies can help with mild to moderate anxiety.

• A healthcare provider can also screen you for other postpartum mood disorders. After birth, you’re also at higher risk for conditions like postpartum depression, comorbid depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and panic disorder.

Ready to get help but not sure where to find it? We’re here to guide you via our mental health resources. Learn more in our many guides on postpartum mental health (like this one on whether you can take antidepressants while breastfeeding).

We can also connect with a healthcare provider online.