Meds to increase milk supply??

cbutler0045 · December 2015

Has anyone tried Rx meds to increase milk supply?? Did it work for you? What was your experience? I have read some horror stories about women having bad experiences with Reglan. I am exclusively pumping right now and only get about 2 oz every pumping session and LO is eating 3-4 oz at each feeding so I'm having to supplement more than I would like. I pump every 2-3 hours during the day and every 4-5 after we go to bed. I'm currently taking fenugreek, drink lots of water, drinking milk maid tea, making a lactation smoothie with oats and brewers yeast in the morning, and trying to get in one power pump session a day. I have barely seen an increase in my supply and am on the edge of just giving up breast feeding all together, but thought about asking my doctor for a prescription to help my milk supply first. Do you ladies have any other advice to help me out?? TIA!!

LaurenBee24 · December 2015

It can takes weeks to see an increase so stick with it! That said I found what I needed to make more milk was more protein. My doctor wouldn't prescribe the meds and told me that if it came to it she felt it was better and safer to stop breastfeeding than to go on the meds. I don't ever get much pumping but she gets pleanty from my breast. Many people just don't respond as well to the pump. Have you considered trying her at the breast?

cbutler0045 · December 2015

He was on the breast until about 2 weeks ago. He was a very slow eater (about an hour) and I would still have to feed him pumped milk or formula after because he was still hungry. I felt as if he was constantly on the boob and was really starting to hate it. I dreaded the thought of leaving the house with him in fear that he would need to eat and we'd have to go sit in the car for an hour. He was also gaining weight at a very slow rate so I am happier giving him the bottle and knowing that he was getting completely full. I have thought about trying him on the breast again, but afraid he won't even want to take it after being on the bottle. I guess it would be worth a shot though. I do think my flanges are too big and am waiting for the smaller size to arrive in the mail so I'm hoping that helps some.

LaurenBee24 · December 2015

Target carries all sizes of medela flanges for future need btw. Did you ever have him evaluated for a tongue tie? I had supply issues my lo was constantly at the breast and I still had to pump and feed, but we got her tie fixed at a pediatric dentist and now she is full in ten minutes! I used to literally nurse her for hours! I can nurse her in my carrier and no one knows so that made it easier for us. It has saved us. Also, some babies just grow slower. You should see a lactation consultant asap.

Rikki_5 · December 2015

I read that baby removes more milk and the sucking action on your nipple stimulates your body to make more milk. If you are only pumping then some women start to see a decrease in their milk that is why it's so hard to do. I would say just put him to the breast. If you are breastfeeding, your body only makes enough milk for what your child eats unless like some you have oversupply. Your body will make the perfect amount for him to eat if you are letting him feed every 2-4 hours. And don't feel like you have to go to a car to BF. Anywhere you are you legally have the right to feed your child. You could get a BF cover if you are modest. And you could try pumping a bit for a bottle when you go out if you don't want to BF in public.

cbutler0045 · December 2015

We did see a LC and he doesn't have a tongue tie. I had hoped he would just become more efficient but he never did. I will try to go meet with my lactation consultant again this week and try to start putting him back on the breast. I know the baby is suppose to stimulate your nipples better, but it really just wasn't working out for us. I also have no problem breast feeding in public, but it's super uncomfortable holding a 10 pound baby up to your boob for an hour in a hard metal chair with no support. I was just more comfortable going to the car. I'll have to try to get the hang of nursing in the wrap. I don't feel like I can ever get the wrap tight enough so we have not worn it very much.

cbutler0045 · December 2015

Also, I looked at my local Target and Babies-R-us and neither of them carried the size small flanges .. Only the size large.. Wish they would have though!

meganraschke · December 2015

Unfortunately the medication that has no side effects the FDA has issued a do not compound order that starts in January. My doctor had prescribed me domperideone but after learning it wasn't covered under insurance and I'd have to buy a years supply up front I decided against it.
I can tell you that the fenugreek/more common herbs did nothing for me. I called mother love, it's a company that sells good quality herbs. We talked for about 20 minutes and they reccomended herbs that worked for me that I had never even heard of (shatavari and moringa) my milk supply more than doubled in a few weeks of taking that.
I would agree with pp that baby will do much more for your breasts but perhaps you could pump then just let him comfort nurse at your breast. My LO had lost weight when my supply was down so I definitely understand wanting to know exactly how much their getting. But possibly comfort nursing would help.
I literally spent a month doing nothing but pumping nursing and sleeping to get my supply back, it takes time. My LC told me that the more weeks you are PP the longer it will take your milk supply to respond.
Your LC should be able to fit you for flanges, I had to buy 3 different sizes and I switch between them to see which one will give me the most milk that day.
Keep trying momma, that's all you can do!

cbutler0045 · December 2015

Well we tried to eat at the breast this morning and he did nothing but scream. I will start letting him comfort nurse if he will take it. I feel bad that I just completely cut the boob off from him, but he was a happier baby and we've been happier with the bottle. Plus it only took him two weeks on the bottle to gain the same amount of weight he did with 5 weeks on the breast.

I have also called and left a message with our lactation consultant and hoping she gets back to me. I will call mothers love and see what they say. I have been taking fenugreek for over a month with no improvement. Are the herbs expensive? Between not working for 12 weeks, Christmas, and bills, I have completely drained my bank account.

I didn't even realize a flange size could be a problem the last time I saw my lactation consultant. I will have her look at them for me. I did have my DH measure my nipple and by using the medela sizing chart, we discovered I needed a size small.

meganraschke · December 2015

The herbs I am using are only expensive because of how long they last. They are each $20 but that only lasts 10 days and I have to order more. I called my insurance to see if they would cover them. They said if I had my obgyn write a letter of medical necessity they would cover the cost of any herbs 100% so maybe call your insurance. I know calling has saved me about $200 so far

cbutler0045 · December 2015

Thanks so much! I will call my insurance today! My ob is my MIL so I know she would have no problem writing a letter for me.

smnewby · December 2015

You can order smaller flanges on amazon...only place I could ever find them. Also I swear by fenugreek for improved supply (not sure if someone mentioned that yet). My LO had a weak suction for weeks...my lactation consultant actually recommended using avent soothie pacifiers to strengthen LO suction since they are shaped like an actual nipple. That seemed to work although it may be a bit controversial

jenspeake · December 2015

My doc also suggested bakers yeast as a supplement back when my milk wasn't coming in. As well as eating oatmeal.

LaurenBee24 · December 2015

I would suggesting seeing another lc. You can find a list on lll's website. They should have asked about you flanges, and shouldn't have ever had you take him off the breast. I nursed then pumped for weeks. We also did tongue exercises for her after the correction. The lc in the hospital didn't find it and had I not seen this woman I would have had to have stopped breast feeding. I'd also like to recommend you pace feed with a slow or premie nipple if you want him to come back to the breast. We use the
Breast flow bottles and they are great at making it more work at the bottle. Also, if you have not consider renting a hospital grade pump. With a letter from your ob your insurance should cover the 65 dollars a month. It can be done..... At one point I supplemented like 16 oz in a day and now I put a few oz of milk into the freezer every day!

LaurenBee24 · December 2015

Also, check or replace your membranes! If it looks like this it's for sure no good and some look fine but need replacing

jegoffin · December 2015

You used to be able to order domperidone online from Canada.

cbutler0045 · December 2015

I will purchase some new membranes. Thank you! I have been supplementing with oats, brewers yeast, and fenugreek. I will keep up all these supplements and try to put lo back on the breast as much as possible and see if this helps. My LC never advised me to take baby off the breast so sorry for that confusion.. It was a decision I made after a week of a constant fussy/ hungry baby and could not get in to see my LC. I'm currently having to see the lactation consultant at the wic office due to low funds and she has been very helpful in the past, but is not always available immediately. The lactation consultant at the hospital I delivered at was not helpful at all and would barely give me the time of day when I asked her questions so I have not contacted her again. Thanks for the advice ladies! I was getting discouraged yesterday and wanted to just wanted to give it up all together. I am also returning to work after the new year and am just overly stressed since I have no supply and will have less time to pump when I return. I've felt discouraged many times since I've started breast feeding but am still doing my best to keep it up.

rms924 · December 2015

I was just given domperidone. Should I not take it? Getting nervous.

Op I feel your pain. I am taking fenugreek, water etc. I'm still working on it but the one thing I do suggest is to try and get lo back on the breast if you can

good luck and keep us posted!

cbutler0045 · December 2015

I think domperidone has the least side effects of all of them. If you take it, let me know how it works!! Good luck!

oywiththepoodlesalready · December 2015

I went through the exact same thing, it is so hard when LO has trouble at the breast. For my own sanity I decided to exclusively pump and LO and I are both much happier and less stressed out. One thing that I found made a huge difference in my supply is using the hands on pluming technique. Stanford has an online video on it which takes you through the process. Good luck, having a baby with latch issues is so hard.

cbutler0045 · December 2015

I just watched it! Thank you! I always massage my breast while pumping, but I need to start hand expressing to make sure we clear everything out! It is so hard!!! Good luck!

danniellemichelle · December 2015

I exclusively pump and have been for about 8 weeks now ... I tried breastfeeding but I was much happier with feeding my baby from the bottle and felt she was happier and less frustrated as well. I actually felt more connected to my daughter and felt we could bond more over me feeding her a bottle of breast milk because it was a lot less stressful for both of us (just my personal experience).

I notice if I'm not on top of my protein intake and my water intake my supply drops pretty bad by the end day. Maybe keep an eye on your water intake as well? Just a thought

I know how much work it is to exclusively pump and you should be so, so proud of yourself !! ❤️

Meds to increase milk supply??

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