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Breastfeeding
Jen0204
member
Medication for increasing supply?
Jen0204
member
I have twins who are 2.5 weeks old and I have a low supply issue. I'm only producing about 1/3 of what they take in a day (or at least that's how much I'm getting when I pump). They were born at 36 weeks and are very small and have a tough time latching and then staying awake long enough to eat directly from my breast so we're on an every 3 hour schedule of breastfeeding, bottle feeding pumped breast milk, bottle feeding formula, and then after they're changed and put down I pump. I'm drinking the tea that's supposed to help increase my supply and taking the mother's love herbal drops. My supply is slowly going up each day (as in maybe a third of an ounce extra each day), but I'm just not keeping up. I was thinking of asking their pediatrician and my OB about taking medication to help increase my supply. It sounds like domperidone is the best option, but it's not available in the US. Though I have no history of depression I've been extremely emotional since giving birth and I'm especially stressed about my low supply because they seem to hate formula so I am a little concerned about Reglan's possible side effect of causing sever depression. Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated. Oh, and in case it matters, I only get about 10-12 ounces a day from pumping.
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Re: Medication for increasing supply?
Have you tried Fenugreek, another herbal supplement? It seems to be working pretty well for me. I just started to take Domperidone, and have seen a bit of an increase. The best thing to up your supply is to breastfeed. I know you mentioned some latching issues, but if you can keep trying to have them feed from the breast. Have you conacted a lactation consultant? They are great I had issues in the beginnig with my daughter, but we have finally gotten into a really good rythm, thanks to an awesome LC . Keep doing what your doing and stay positive. It is really tough in the beginning. My daughter was a sleepy eater, we stripped her down and did lots of skin to skin contact. It was frustrating at times. Good luck
What pump are you using? It may help to rent a hospital grade pump as it helps bring your milk in. I am not sure what else you have tried, but I would use the meds as a last resort.
You can make lactation cookies with oats, flax, and brewers yeast, all which help with production. You can also eat oatmeal. Make sure you are drinking enough fluids and eating enough calories.
You may want to meet with a lactation consultant through your OB or the hospital. They should be able to provide you with more tips.
I had some really scary side effects with Reglan and do not feel comfortable with taking Domperidone for fear of the same effects.
I was down to only pumping about 15 oz a day from my high of 50-60. I started eating 2 tbls of flax each morning and again each evening. I also take Fenugreek, which is an herb that you can purchase pretty much anywhere. I take 4 pills/3xs a day. It can cause gas issues and make you smell like maple syrup, but not near the side effects of prescription meds.
Also, to help your girls with formula, I would mix half formula and half breastmilk for their bottles.
I was told to eat oatmeal with milk to help with my supply.
A week ago my supply was low and i was having melt downs about not pumping a lot of milk for my baby. I started eating oatmeal made with milk and my supply has increased by alot!
Dont get discouraged!
I have been working with LCs at the hospital and they were surprised at how sleepy the girls are when on my breast, especially when they're so alert at other times. I have tried doing skin to skin, having them partially and fully clothed, swaddled and unswaddled, but they always just snuggle in and go to sleep. The issue is that they're so small (at their last appointment they were 5lbs 1oz and 4lbs 14oz) that them gaining weight is the #1 priority, so the LCs at the hospital said to only put them to my breast for every other feeding and only for 15-20 minutes or until they fall asleep/stop sucking because they get so tired that then they won't eat anything, I was taking fenugreek but one of the LCs told me to switch to the Mother's Love herbal drops, which have the fenugreek in it plus a bunch of other herbs. I have the pills still so I think I'll start taking them again as well. I rented the same pump that they had me using when the girls where in the NICU because they said that the better pump would help to stimulate my supply.
Catlackey, where do you get the domperidone from? If I do go that route, I'd like to get it from somewhere that other people use.
Larue, is it flax seeds that you take? Would I get that at a health food store or vitamin store, or just at the grocery store?
Royalgrl, does any oatmeal work? I really like the Quaker instant oatmeals so if that will help then I'll go buy some of those. I'm hoping it doesn't have to be steel cut oats and can be something that actually tastes good!
Thanks for all of the responses. I would love to be able to give them all they need with just breast milk and would be thrilled if I could actually just breastfeed them instead of pumping, but even if I can get up to giving them half of what they need from breast milk that I get via pumping I'll be happy. I just would like to do something to help my body out because having two newborns on this 3 hour schedule is exhausting with pumping included and getting the small amount that I am now just makes me wonder if it's even worth it. Especially since they're preemies I really think it is worth it and I'll continue to try for at least another month or so, but seeing an increase would really help me feel like there's a good reason for me not getting any sleep!