Anyone have experience with Domperidone for low milk supply?

ctmamaoftwo

so my little one is almost three weeks old and my milk supply is still incredibly low. I've been pumping after feedings, taking fenugreek supplements, lactation cookies, tea, shakes ect and am still only getting about an oz per feeding. I met with my LC again today and she said outside of just continuing to supplement the other 2oz after feedings Domperidone is the only other option left (outside of just going straight to formula). It's not approved by the FDA which had me a little nervous but I've read people who have had great success...have any of you had experience with it? If so would you recommend it?

MissMheMhe

I do not have any experience with this medication.

However, it is completely normal to only get .5 oz - 2 oz total from both breasts when pumping after a feeding. It's a sign of an oversupply to pump more than that. And, your LO is much more efficient at removing milk than the pump is. 
I know how you feel, though. I've been tempted to throw in the towel on more than one occasion since starting on our BFing journey 4 weeks ago. I've found a great resource in a FB group (BRAs - Breastfeeding Resources and Support) as well as Kellymom.com

Here's the link to a page specifically about the worry of not pumping enough. https://kellymom.com/hot-topics/pumping_decrease/  

Hope this helps!

ctmamaoftwo

@MissMheMhe thanks for the links! I'll def have to check them out.

And unfortunately I'm only getting the ounce while he's nursing. The LC would weigh him before feeding then after each nursing on each breast. I would then pump and barely get a few drops. So my supply is def low. My baby is almost 3 weeks and is still a lb under birth weight. I just want to breastfeed so bad I feel like I'm willing to try any and everything! 

MissMheMhe

@amberjinnett, I apologize. I misread your post. I did mean to include that it's good that you are working with an LC and obviously they know your situation better than I do. I wish you all the best of luck and hope you can find someone with experience with this medicine.
Have you checked the breastfeeding board? I don't think they get a lot of traffic, but someone might see your post. Also, you can check on a few of the 2015 BMB's as they have been at it longer than we have!
Good luck. Remember, first and foremost, you are feeding your baby, whether you provide BM or formula, and that is what is important!

mrhargr

I have no experience with the drug in people but as a veterinarian I can tell you that it is used with success in animals quite a bit. I'm not sure if that info helps or not but thought I would throw it out there. 

ctmamaoftwo

@MissMheMhe I really appreciate the support and kind words. I always forget there is a board specific to breastfeeding. Will go a head and post there too! 

@mrhargr I'll take all the feedback I can get. Thank you! 

mysquishy18

I hardly ever post, but since I know someone who used this drug with success so I thought I would. The woman I know used it so she could breastfeed the baby they adopted. For her it worked beautifully. She had an entire freezer of milk she had to donate because they thought they were getting a baby, so she began taking the medication and pumping, and then that adoption didn't happen. Then when the next adoption did happen she took the medication and exclusively BF her baby for over a year. Hope that helps! 

SuperherosMom

I took it with my now 3 year old towards the end because I wanted to make it the full year of breastfeeding. My dr wouldn't prescribe it for me. I had to order it from a compounding pharmacy online and get it from the UK I believe. It helped some but not much...and I worried so much about any side effects that might not be known. I only saw a few ounce increase total from pumping while at work. I was only able to pump 1.5-2 Oz on each breast pumping for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours at work and once in the evening before bed. I got the recommendation from my LC so I tried to not think about it and why it's not approved in the states. I don't think I would take it again with this baby if I had to. My hair started falling out and got very thin in the front ... not sure if it was from the pills or not but my hair didn't fall out like that with my first baby so not sure if that's a side effect or not.

ctmamaoftwo

@mysquishy18 that's crazy to me that it can even help someone produce who hasn't just given birth. Thank you for sharing your experience with it! 

@SuperherosMom that's why I'm so nervous about it not being in the states my dr won't prescribe it either but my LC is wildly in favor for it. She gave me a prescription to order it online if I decide to go that route.  It's great being able to get some feedback from others who have an experience with it as well. 

chillmama1518

I don't have personal experience with taking it, but it IS approved in Canada and used very regularly here for digestive/stomach issues. It is prescribed fairly commonly for lactation as well (I work in a pharmacy). The more 'scary' side effects are for higher doses and especially in the elderly. (High doses can cause irregular heart beat issues) For short term use at low dose for lactation our main OB in the area considers it quite safe. 

fleahound

I have had to take it to increase my milk supply. I saw a lactation specialist and it was recommended by her. It has made a huge difference and I am almost exclusively feeding breast milk now. I very seldom have to top up with formula. I started it at 1 week and we are at 5 weeks old and my baby is gaining weight really well now.