Using Reglan or Domperidone to Help to Increase Milk Supply.

Ok this is quirky...but drink a beer. my supply was going down..and I didn't know why and a girlfriend suggested doing this. No joke, it works.

I am so glad you asked this. I am having the same problem. I think that the first thing that we should try is getting a new pump membrane. After someone mentioned it I remembered reading that if they arent replaced that suction wouldn't be as good as it was when you started. Good luck!!

I used reglan and my OB was more than willing to put me on it. The problem is that it made me incredibly sick. I felt so tired like I'd been hit by a truck yet my heart was racing. Domperidone is not legal in the US and you should be wary. Good luck!!

I had some success with Reglan. The lactation consultant nurse practitioner in my OB/GYN office prescribed the medication. The downside was that it causes drowsiness, so I was even more tired during the day. I ended up being able to give my son breast milk for nine and a half months. Without the medication it would have been more like 6 months. I did do the tea as much as I could. The recommended dosage for the tea was 3-5 cups/day and at that time, I wasn't always able to make and drink 3-5 cups of tea.

Good luck.

Talk to a lactation consultant right away. If you don't know of one may I recomend Doris she is great and very personable. here is her website; http://www.pump-n-go.com/moms%20group.htm

Good Luck

I am currently using Reglan and used it with my first also. I had absolutely no side effects the first time I took it and I noticed a huge increase in my supply. This time I am feeling a lot of the drowsiness that others have mentioned. I am not able to take it during the day, but take two right before bed. (The usual dosage is 1 pill 4X a day). It helps me to get a great night's sleep and I still am able to up production a little. I agree also about trying to replace the white membranes, but I was also told to change the two white o-rings (I have a medela lactina). Not sure which pump you have, but try asking about switching out any pump parts that may be worn from continual pumping, that could also make a huge difference. Good Luck!

Wow, you have gotten quite a few responses, and while I don't have time to read through all of them, I just wanted to let you know that I used reglan when I was breastfeeding, and it helped me to produce enough for both of my twins, and more that I could freeze. I was pumping 12-14 ounces every 2 hours. But I didn't actually feed from the breast, I pumped and then bottle fed because my babies were preemies and their mouths were too small to latch. My OB/GYN prescribed it to me and it was actually called METOCLOPRAMIDE (that's the scientific name for it). I had a weird dosing schedule though... I had a ten day prescription. Day 1 ~ 1 pill, day 2 ~ 2 pills, day 3 ~ 3 pills, days 4-7 ~ 4 pills, day 8 ~ 3 pills, day 9 ~ 2 pills, and day 10 ~ 1 pill. So I took a total of 28 pills. Before I took them I was pumping 9 ounces every 2 hours, and after I was pumping 12-14 ounces every 2 hours.

Call a lactation consultant right away. Do not hesitate another minute. A good one will help you find your way and is an expert in these things. Your fees to her will be MUCH less than what you'd have to spend on formula. She will know all about these drugs. And really, you need to get your son back to the breast and she can help you do that. First, a pump is not the same thing as the action of a nursing baby. It is not nearly as efficient. Your supply will probably be just fine with a baby on the breast. It might seem like you are not producing, but really the pump is not working as well as baby. Call the hospitals, call your local LLL, find a lactation consultant ASAP!

Hi T.,
Keep doing what you are doing AND call Doris at pump-n-go.com
She's a WONDERFUL lactation consultant, and can help just about anybody. She'll know about the meds. Fenugreek is good to take. Also, I bought the MMPlus at Every Mother and Child in East Mesa and Baby Mother and More in Gilbert may have it. Desert Sage in Chandler may have it as well, but they definitely have the pure Fenugreek, etc. herbs and one of the owners breastfeeds so Brittany can tell you all about it. Pumping is the main thing that increases supply, so just keep at it but as some of the other posts say your baby is your very best breastpump so Doris can help you get him latched right away. Tell her L. (Amie's mom) sent you. Good luck, hang in there - it's truly the best thing you can do for your baby (and I know it's easier said than done but try not to stress, because that decreases supply as well). I agree w/another poster that baby needs a happy mom (and can sense her stress) but I truly believe that you need to try Doris before supplementing. Supplementing decreases your supply as well. Take good care, ~L

I have had the same problem so I definitely can relate to what you're going through. I know it's frustrating! I am currently on my second round of Reglan. My milk supply was stimulated while on the meds but decreased again when I went off it... but even on the meds again, I'm only producing about 12 ounces of the 24 ounces my 4 month old needs. He has had a hard time nursing after my doctor had me go on a 4 day pumping only routine to see what I was producing because the baby wasn't gaining weight. Anyway, I received a prescrption from my OB. As far as the Mother's Milk Plus, I have been buying it at the Lovelace Pharmacy on Gibson (the only place in town that sells the Vitality Works brand) but several whole foods type stores, including Sunflower, sell a similar supplement. The only problem with these supplements is that they are about $18 for a 2 ounce supply and I am going through a bottle each week. It became too expensive so I went to the prescription. I am not sure what I will do if this round of meds doesn't permanently increase my supply. One of the other things I do is make the mother's milk tea in a large batch and drink it like iced tea throughout the day for a little extra herbal supplement. I figure I'm giving him as much as I can and will supplement the rest so he stays healthy! Good luck! Let me know if you have any questions about my experience. :)

Every time I ate huge meals and drank lots I made more milk. So go to a buffet and pig out and you see an increase in your supply. You may off lost your baby weight and your body doesn't have any more fat storage so you have to add maybe 500 more calories to your diet now.

I take Fenugreek. It's an herbal supplement that I got at GNC. Try that and maybe try contacting your local La Leche League for other ideas. At 10 weeks I would think that you might be able to get him used to the breast again and they might be able to help you with that. I wish you the best of luck!

Hi! Another milk stimulant is oatmeal, you can have a bowl every morning, it may help. Whole Foods sells Mother Milk Plus as well as all the other herbal supplements. The 2 drugs you mention can increase production, but like another poster mentioned, Reglan may have the depression and mood swings as a side effect. My sister took it and for her it was terrible!!!!
Good luck and keep trying! Maybe a nipple shield could help? I know some purist are very against them, but they helped my sister tremendously.

You are going to have a lot of responses I'm sure. Just remember to be calm when nursing. Talk to a Lactation Consultant, do you have a La Leche League near by? What kind of pump are you using? I had to use medela's pump in style, the big one. I've been reasearching herbs to take because I had less milk than you do. Can you buy Mother's Milk online? Like others have said, try the Fenugreek, Fennel and goat's rue. I've heard good things about Goat's rue, but haven't had the chance to try it. What I did find out is that most of these herbs work better together. It seems that most drugs and herbs that help with stomache problems also help a mother produce milk.

Try to remember to not get frustrated. Believe me I know how difficult that is. I was in tears when I pumped about 4 ml to try and feed my baby boy. Before pumping, massage your breast. Have some calming music in the background. While pumping, think about water flowing and milk flowing from your body into the bottle. Position the pump in as many different positions as possible. Stop midway, massage your breast some more, pump. Be positive, remember the more heartsick you are over it, the less milk. When pumping, sometimes we only stimulate a few ducts, so remember to reposition every so often.

I don't know if you've looked into Fenugreek (you can buy it at Farmer's Markets stores... like Sprouts...) but it helped me greatly. My son was nursing every 1 1/2 hours and always seemed hungry. I started using Fenugreek and within a few days he started nursing every 2 1/2 hours and for longer. Just a thought.

Hi,
I can't say anything about the one drug,never heard of it, but Reglan....the only one I've ever heard of by that name is for acid reflux.

The doctors prescribed it to my boys when they were babies and suffering w/ acid reflux really bad. Can't think of how that could be related to breastfeeding.

I have heard that drinking beer helps (in moderation of course) and my grandma said red grapes help increase milk supply. My sister tried this and it acctually worked. I would try the natural route before taking any drugs.

Also if you look at your baby or a picture of your baby while you pump that is supposed to help your milk come in.

Good luck that must be frustrating.

Hi I am a stay at home mom with a nine week old baby girl. I don't have to pump but I have found that what works for me to increase my milk supply is too eat a lot of leafy greens and eat a lot of healthy carbs. I usually eat at least one salad with romain lettuce and spinach a day and some ezekiel bread. I eat a ton of food because I have lost all of my baby weight and if I don't, I won't make enough milk. Drink a ton of water too.
Your baby is still very young I would definitly try to get him back on the breast and start nursing instead of pumping when you are home. Baby can stimulate you so much better than a pump. If he gets hungry enough he will take a boob.
Good luck and God bless. I hope this helps you.

T.,
I feel your pain. I have been there with my last baby! It was so frustrating and in a lot of ways I felt like I was failing...I rented a hospital-grade double breastpump, pumped every 2 hours, drank mother's milk tea, tons of water, you name it!! But nothing I did helped. i was so frustrated that i also read about the drugs that can help. I called my OB and asked her about it and she prescribed the drug Reglan for me. (Yes, it is for acid reflux, but studies have shown that something in it can stimulate lactation). Sadly, it didn't do too much to help me. And for some reason (I don't know if this is normal), I was an emmotional wreck while I was on the stuff! I wanted to breastfeed carter so bad that I stuck with this insane program of double pumping every two hours, tea, medicine, etc. for nearly a month! But I was still slowly drying up. During one frustrated visit to my son's pediatrician, she said these words, "Breastmilk is good for the baby. But it's more important in his life to have a happy, relaxed mom than to have breastmilk." I realized that I was so consumed and upset about the loss of breastfeeding that I probably wasn't being the happy, bubbly person that I always am. I finally threw in the towel and I was so much happier. The stress was off of me. During my time of trying to build milk supply, i was waking up at night to pump every three hours and I was exhausted. But I could honestly say that I had tried EVERYTHING. That's all you can do. Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing, for both baby and you. The bond is wonderful. I did it with my first. But for some reason, it wasn't in the cards for my second. I hope that something works for you, but if it doesn't, that's ok.

Try pumping every 2 hours or so- the only thing I know of that increases milk supply is increase i9n demand. I don't know about the tea- it seems hokey, and probably expensive4, I have also heard that dringking something warm before you feed (or pump) helps. Make sure you are not taking ANY other meds- I was suprised to hear that antihistamines (Benadryl, etc) can severely deplete milk supply.
I have breastfeds three children, all for more than two years each, and I am pregnant with my fourth.

HI I too understand the frustration of not being able to produce enough milk. My son, who is now 2, was nursed and when he was about 6 months old I tried to go on the Atkins diet. Well needless to say I do not recommend that to anyone reading this as my milk supply just stopped. I panicked and tried everything and my sons Ped did prescribe Reglan for me. It worked very very well. Like someone else said it is usually prescribed for acid reflux, but it does stimulate milk production as well. I was not told about any possible side effects to my son and did not notice any. Hope that helps and good luck with your little one!

milk thistle is also used to increase milk supply, is safe for baby, and is sold at sprouts!! the best way to increase supply is to try to get the baby to nurse directly from teh breast!! goodluck!

I am currently breastfeeding as well and did so with my first. I hate to tell you this, but if your son won't nurse on you, then you aren't getting enough stimulation to continue to make enough milk. Artifical pumps just don't reproduce the same effect. I can never get much from pumping anyway so thats not a totally accurate way to tell how your doing (I always pump & nurse at the same time when I need a few ounces). I remember those first couple of months and being covered in milk all the time, but it does naturally go down. You've GOT to keep trying to get the baby to nurse if you want to be successful. I'm guessing that you're working away from home, but this means he has to get used to both. I've heard or read that moms who pump all week feel like their supply goes down during the week and then they exclusively nurse during the weekend (and before/after work)to get it back. I haven't heard anything about the drugs, but I think the best thing you're doing is drinking lots of water and it's great you've got a double pump. I think it's really great that you're working so hard to give the best to your baby!

the Lactina is a great pump but you have to keep it up. The white membranes on the bottom of the flanges wear out. You cannot tell visibly but they do stop sealing well after a while and have to be replaced. When I was working and pumping I just replaced them once a month.

Being so close to mexico you may be able to get Reglan in an "alternative" manner if your own doctor can't help and you are comfortable with that. I did not use it myself but I have 2 friends who did and they found it to be effective with few side effects--one of them did get headaches from it after a while.

Rest, protein, water. Lactaction cookies: http://www.recipezaar.com/Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-Lactatio...
the massage-stroke-shake technique: http://www.lactationinstitute.org/MANUALEX.html

You may want to try switching bottles to see if that helps with nursing refusal. Or try a weekend off of bottles if that is possible.
Best wishes! You will figure out what works best for you and your baby!

I have to agree with the post that said it is also important for your kids to have a calm, happy mom. I too never made enough milk, and my baby girl never latched on. It was heartbreaking for me. So I just had to supplement with formula and she is very healthy and happy and growing well (4 mos old). I just give her the milk I can pump. But no, I have no experience with those drugs. Good luck, and every thing will be fine.

Hi T. -

Herbal combinations of Red Raspberry, Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle and Marshmallow have been shown to help the body increase milk production and increase the richness of the milk being produced.

Blessings,

M. M. Ernsberger
Certified Herbalist

I recently had the same problem. I became so upset by it and frustrated. WHat kind of pump are you using? I use the Medela Pump in style. my fix was seriously so simple and I never thought it would make a difference. But if you havent yet, try new membranes on your pump. For mine they were so cheap and within two days I noticed a HUGE change in my milk supply. I was only getting 3 oz per pumping now in the morning I get 9-10oz in one pumping and usually 6oz per pumping at work.

DONT STRESS. the more you stress the less milk you will produce, try your best to relax. AND GOOD LUCK!!!!

one of the side effects of reglan is sleepiness so if you use anything that crosses the breast/ milk barrier it is going into you babys system too and if he is too sleepy to eat you arent going to get the same effect so be careful of using any medications.

My friend is using Reglan to increase her supply because she had a baby born with a cleft lip. Her OB perscribed it. I would consult a lactation specialist, or the book what to expect birth thru 1 year tells something about it. I would either find a new ob or talk to your general practiioner.
Good luck

I used Mothers milk Plus. The only place I could find it was Sunflower farmers market on 7st and Bell.....might be 3rd street. It is on the south side of the road right off Bell. It started working for me within two days and I was not producing hardly anything so I had to start using formula which made my supply even worse. I started taking the Mothers Milk Plus and was able to go backl to exclusive breast feeding. Good Luck

Hello T.,

Don't give up hope yet! I have had every problem under the sun when it comes to breast feeding and my son has never really latched on @ all and he's almost 4 months now. I have been taking Reglan and yes it does help. My right breast has decided to be the only one producing milk at this point in the game and I pump about 2-4 oz each time I pump. I have been told by lactation specialists that that is actually realy good.this is my second round of taking Reglan and actualy the left side has started producing up to an ounce at times so there has been a noticable improvement.I have had no side effects nor has my son.I got the perscription from my OB doctor. All though I have heard that a lot of Doctors out there don't know about it. Many NICU's use it on premies because it is actually used for digestive issues but for whatever reaseon it has been proven to produce more milk in breastfeeding moms which is why a mom of a premie uses it because her baby is not breast feeding until later in life due to the cercomstances and they don't want her supply to diminish.
I'm not sure what part of town you live in but I go to a class on Wednesdays @ 1 @ the Osborn Scottsdale Health Care Hospital called Moms on the Move. Its a support group of new mommies run by a lactation specialist and I love it.It was my savior being a single mom for the first time and like I said I had so many issues early on with breast feeding and the group got me through it all.
Sorry I have rambled on but I hope some of this is helpful, if you have any questions you can e-mail me @ ____@____.com
Have a blessed & joyous day T.!
S.

I feel everything you are going through! I have a 9 month old and from the start, he would not latch on. I went to three different lactation consultants. I was pumping every 2-3 hours around the clock and was only getting 2-3oz of milk. But I was DETERMINED to breast feed. I tried all the alternative things. Mothers Milk (try Whole Foods or Baby Mother & More on Gilbert Rd). I was taking a ton of supplements. Reglan is actually an anti-nausea medication. It works for some, but for others...it could actually decrease your supply even more. I decided to try for Domperidone, that seemed like the best choice. It is not FDA approved, so insurance will not pay for it. It cost $160 for A MONTH SUPPLY!! But, for me it was worth the try. Some people have great success. The pharmacist told me that if a guy were to take it, even he would lactate. Crazy! For me...it did absolutly nothing. I eventully just went to Earth's Best Organic formula, cause I found that to be the best one from a nutritional perspective.
Hope that helps.

I empathize with your situation, as I experienced the same challenge despite being a Lactation Educator myself. I would definitely NOT use the prescriptions for their obvious risks/side-effects for you/baby.

I LOVE Mother's Milk Plus! I had amazing success with it. I looked up their website and found the stores in AZ that carry it: http://www.motherlove.com/storelocator/results_list.php?s...=

Maybe one of the retailers in AZ could ship to you at a better rate?

Or, you can order directly at: http://www.motherlove.com/product_more_milk_plus.php

I can't say enough good things about it. It WORKS!!
In the meantime, I would suggest consulting with a Lactation Consultant in your area right away. http://lllsierravista.tripod.com/ because they can talk to you about using an SNS to help keep your baby interested in the breast, and to keep stimulation active:

http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breastfeedi...

Another great site is: www.breastfeeding.com which has a TON of info. But talk to LLL ASAP ;)

Best,
C.

Hi T.,

Good on you for trying so hard to keep up the breastfeeding. This might not help much, but when my 5-month-old went on a breastfeeding strike and I wanted him to keep going, I would feed him at night, when he was asleep, by tickling his cheek with the nipple until he turned and latched on: during the day if I tried this he would bite, but at night when he was asleep, instinct took over. Perhaps this might work. You don't necessarily need to miss out on sleep, or not much, if you can take your son into the bed with you, so that you and he can remain lying down while he feeds.

And if you have to go on to formula, don't worry - it's pretty good stuff, considering, and babies do very well on it, especially if they've had a start on breastmilk. It's not like you haven't tried breastfeeding!

Good luck, my best wishes!

I have heard of both of those, but haven't used them or known anyone who has. I go to a breastfeeding support group on Thursdays so I'll ask my lactation consultant then. I take fenugreek and milk thistle three times a day, every day. I take 3 capsules of each...it seems to help. I wasn't getting very much when I would pump, and now I get about twice as much. I wouldn't really pay any mind to people telling you how much you SHOULD be able to pump in a day. It's different for everyone and different day to day. I used to be ecstatic if I got four ounces each time I pumped...then I was getting 7 ounces and now I'm back down to about 5 or 6 ounces. I also have a lot of stressful things happening right now. I do know that it's important you still offer the breast to your son as much as possible...even if he won't take it, still offer. You might try splitting his bottle in half and offering the breast before he starts and after he finishes the first half. Also, try sitting him more upright when you give him the bottle so it's harder for him to get the milk out fast...and make sure you use slow-flow nipples. Basically, don't make the bottle easy! Try and make him work for it...that's probably the real reason he prefers the bottle over the breast. I just started having some of the same issues and instead of nursing in the living room I now have to nurse in his bedroom with the door shut. Hang in there...it could be a phase. I will try my hardest to remember to ask my consultant and let you know what she says!