Natural post-partum depression treatments while breastfeeding? Plus, iron supplementation?

I believe I may be dealing with a bit of postpartum depression and am looking for some natural treatments that are safe while breastfeeding.
A few things I seem to recall hearing about are Red Raspberry Leaf and Evening Primrose Oil.
Also, I struggle with anemia and, on top of the iron in my prenatals, I take Floradix Floravital Iron+Herbs. I seem to recall hearing that iron supplementation and red raspberry leaf are not to mix, but do not recall why or even know if it is true.

Can anyone shed any light on this for me or offer advice?

You need to seek your doctors advice. Any advice you get here needs to be taken with a grain of salt, you don't want to take the wrong uneducated advice and do something to harm yourself or your baby.
I know its hard, but I believe breastfeeding will help alleviate some, not all but some of your depression symptoms. But you should really speak to your obgyn.

try to cut sugar completely out of your diet and eat probiotics and dont forget to stay on prenatal vitamins.

I'm currently seeing a therapist to help with it, she's trying to teach me techniques to use when I'm upset to calm me down so I don't have to take any meds.

As for the iron supplementation, I'm supposed to be taking iron too (very slightly anemic) and my doctor gave me a prescription for them.

All I could find about iron and red raspberry leaf is that raspberries are really high in iron themselves, nothing about them not mixing

I too suffered from PPD after both of my children. I ended up on meds. But I asked at our local health food store and did some research and both Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin B is supposed to be beneficial. I take a B50 and Omega 3 twice a day. I don't know if it helps because I am on meds, but I have a friend who said the B vitamins helped her a lot.

Also, studies have been done about the benefits of exercise, and apparently regular exercise was almost as effective as drugs. I heard about that from another user on here who was very helpful.

I never heard about red raspberry leaf tea, sorry. I ony know of that one to take to tone your uterus before delivery.

If necessary, there are meds that are safe to take while breastfeeding. after my first, I was told paxil was the safest and took that. I just found out that the study done two years ago was flawed and now they say zoloft is safer while breastfeeding so this time I am on that. And my daughter is still exclusively breastfed.

Good luck!

What i would do is look up your blood type and under it it will tell you herbs and vitamins that your body will take better than others. I would look up the herbs/vitamins you find and look them up to find what they help and what they are good for. The reason i say to look it up under your blood type is that it is a miracle how much your body will benefit through eating and medicating by blood type. just a thought but look into the ones you have heard of and the at the benefits.. Also it will tell you whether or not you can take it while nursing.. FYI i have been there!!

I would suggest taking your vitamins, eat healthy and work out.
Exercise increase endorphins in your body which are happy chemicals released in your brain.
Make sure you get out often and mingle with people. Have your family with you as a support system, and most of all, get enough rest and take occasional breaks from your baby. being a mom is hard and we need a break sometimes. So make sure you get your sleep and rest.

If you think you're suffering from PPD, you have to see your doctor about this. It may only get worse before it gets better.
Your doctor can prescribe you something that will be safe during b.f.
Seriously look into this because PPD is a serious condition that most likely needs treatment.

Sorry, no answer on the iron & raspberry leaf mixing.

However, I had PPD and was prescribed Zoloft. what a mistake! The first 2 months were wonderful! The depression went away, no worries, etc. then, gradually, over about 5-6 months, constant thoughts of suicide. And I mean constant. When I finally realized these thoughts were not me and were from the meds, I called my doctor and began the weaning process. after finally off the drug, the thoughts went away! This was the most horrible experience that should have been one of the best! I am forever bitter that my doctor who I trusted, put me on this med so easily - without any consultantion from a pshych or therapist, etc. Said it was safe. How am I certain this was safe for my breastfeeding baby. Wish I knew then what I know now. Hindsight is 20-20.

Anyways - about natural depression treatment:

While depression can have serious effects, there are many ways to overcome depression. often times, psychiatrists and other professionals hastily prescribe pharmaceutical medication, which has been well documented to have serious side-effects. Research all options and understand the precautions before taking anti-depressants.

Natural depression remedies have been shown to significantly reduce depression symptoms without unwanted side-effects. Common herbal depression remedy alternatives are Hypericum Perforatum (St. John's Wort) "Nature's Prozac", and Passiflora, one of nature's best natural tranquilizers. Natural depression remedies can be extremely effective in overcoming depression and are free of side-effects.

At the below cited webpage, there is a banner for a natural depression remedy that helps with post-partum depression. (The others listed on the page are NOT for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding). maybe this will help.

Natural post-partum depression treatments while breastfeeding? Plus, iron supplementation?

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