Considering taking Reglan *updated*
overtonhayes
member
In the continuing saga we're having with breastfeeding (think of every problem a mother and baby can have, and we've had it. Except mastitis and yeast infections: we've not had those. Yet), I've had enough. For those of you who haven't seen my many desperate posts on the BF forum, we've seen four different LCs, had LO's tongue-tie clipped, tried nipple shields, and started speech therapy. Nothing is working, and she's still causing me immense pain when she nurses. Add to that a probably-unhealthy obsession I have with being able to breastfeed her, and I'm miserable. Now, to top it all off, my supply is dwindling from giving her formula too often.
I spoke to another LC today. We met her in the hospital and she's an absolute miracle worker. She's recommended that over the weekend I pump every 2 hours to get my supply back up, and then give her a call on Monday to let her know how much I'm producing and see what we can do from there. She asked me if I have a history of depression, and I said yes. She then said "ah. You see, I was going to recommend Reglan, which is used to boost milk supply, but it can cause depression and it's not recommended in your case".
I'm thinking of taking it anyway. I'm almost certain that all of the problems I've been having with PPD are because I can't breastfeed LO. Reglan won't fix the issue of painful nursing, but at least I wouldn't have to worry about my supply. And I'm hoping that I will be able to tell myself "it's just the Reglan making me feel this way; it's just the Reglan making me feel this way" and I'll be able to get through it.
We had our first speech therapy session on Thursday, and it was useless. The entire session was "try this", "already did, it doesn't help". Even the speech therapist said "it looks like you're just going to have to bottle-feed her".
This is getting to me so much, and I don't know how much more of it I can take.
ETA: I forgot the most important part - what do you ladies think? Would I be making the right decision? Do any of you have any experience with Reglan?
Re: Considering taking Reglan *updated*
I pumped and fed it to my first in a bottle for a few months. It was also nice because my husband or someone else could feed her while I, hopefully, slept. You still have to pump as often as you would feed her so it's an extra step and more time consuming, but you get the hang of it. I had a Medela double pump and the hands free bra. Probably the best 200 I ever spent!
I read that pumps can help increase your supply because you can stimulate 2 letdowns though I never tried all that.
Good luck
I just can't do this. I've tried, so hard. We're renting the Medela Symphony but I just can't bring myself to pump. I hate it so much. I hate that it still hurts, but I don't even get a cuddle with LO. I hate having to sit bolt upright holding it to my breasts and being unable to move; I hate stressing about how much or little I'm getting; I hate that the stupid f*****g containers don't have wide bases and always seem to fall over when I manage to fill them. And I just can't handle the extra work involved with pumping, then cleaning the pump pieces, then preparing a bottle, then cleaning the bottle. I did it for about a week and by the time I'd done all of that it was right back to the pump again. I've never been so miserable in my life.
If you don't mind me asking, how long is it supposed to take to work? Have you had any adverse effects?
You know that poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning, the really famous one that begins "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways" ? I keep hearing the words "how have I failed thee? Let me count the ways" going through my head over and over when I look at LO. I'm so trapped. I'm determined to breastfeed her exclusively for at least 6 months (technically, I've already failed to do that, since she's had so much formula), but I feel like breastfeeding is ruining my life. But I can't quit. I know myself, and I know I could never forgive myself if I did.
This struck a chord tonight. DH and I just had a huge, wake-the-neighbours, slamming-doors-and-screaming kind of fight. Essentially, if I can't fix this (not BFing, but the way I'm reacting to it all), my marriage is over.
It's like breastfeeding has taken over my life. I just spent the last hour crying in the kitchen. I've never been this miserable.
I am sorry you are having such a hard time right now. Ultimately you have to decide what is the best decision for your family. My DD had a horrible painful latch, we tried EVERYTHING (mother's tea, oatmeal, fernegreek, power pumping ect), and we had thrush for 6 weeks, we were both miserable. I made the decision to exclusively pump and bottle feed her expressed breast milk, it is a time commitment, but I do not have to ever dread feeding my child due to the pain, and I am still giving her the best form of nutrition possible. There are lots of ways to pump and not have to feel like you are constantly pumping then feeding, rinse repeat. I would be happy to share any tips I have. I have been exclusively pumping for 5 months now, and we are going strong to hopefully a year.
Breastfeeding was the hardest thing I ever had to do, it didnt come "natural" as it does for other women, and that is ok. To answer your question, I did try reglan, and I saw no increase, any immediate one at least. What ultimately boosted my supply was power pumping, every 2 hours for a couple of days. It sucked, but now I only pump 3-4 times a day, since 3 months.
BIG creepy internet ::: HUG :::: FWIW my husband wanted me to quit too, he thought breastfeeding was the enemy and could not understand my obsession and determination. Now, as all is well, when he sees formula prices, he is fine with it.
At this point, I'm seriously considering Reglan, and then whatever they want to give me to counteract the depression, and something else for anxiety in the hope that it will stop me from obsessing so much. This is a far cry from who I was before LO was born: a FTMTB aiming for a natural birth, concerned that I woud be hit by PPD but reluctant to even take antidepressants. I'm not sure whether to take that as a sign that I'm dedicated or losing it.
BIG creepy internet ::: YES PLEASE :::: , and thank you. I would welcome literally any tips at this point.
Just wanted to share my experiences.
With DD1 I couldn't get her latched ever and pumped for the first 6 months of her life (I used Reglan and found I could more than keep up with her needs). I have severly inverted nipples and also an odd psylogical response to pain that means I can't let down because of the pain (the other breast will leak like mad, but not the one baby is on).
With DD2 I was SO ready to bfeed, as I felt a bit sad about not being able to with DD1. I went to La Leche meetings, had pre consults with Lactation consultants and even a specialist Dr. After her birth I could latch her, but the pain was extreme and eventually I went to pumping while seeing both LC's and the Dr twice weekly. Trying to bfeed DD2 CONSUMED the first months of her life (I still couldn't let down with her on the breast and the pain never got better). I was also on Reglan to keep my supply up/enough (pumping again for 6 months). However because I literally hung my entire experience as being her mother on needing to breastfeed her, I got very depressed. In my case it was decided it was very specific to my need to breastfeed (and failure).
My biggest fear with having DD3 was failing to bfeed again. I had some counseling and tried in general to not let it consume me as it did with DD2. I would say I was moderately successful in this (I also cannot bfeed her, but as with the others I pumped). This time I did not take Reglan, and did not get depressed like after DD2.
So, I guess my point was that I've been on Reglan and not depressed, and Reglan and depressed. I do think it helped with my supply though to answer that question.
What I would say though, is that I will always regret those first few months of DD2's life. As I missed out on enjoying my baby...........I can only remember the countless Dr's appointments and tears shed. I truly hope you can come to some sort of peace about whatever path you choose. I totally understand the desire to breastfeed (because I still feel the sting of not being able to EVERY single time I see someone do it).............but if you can, try and remember that it is a small part of being your childs mother.