Domperidone/fenugreek amounts??

[dengera]

Hi all,

I have not posted much, but have had concerns about supply for awhile now. DS is 6 weeks and finally gaining weight, but he was slow to start -
7lbs 7 oz at birth,
7 lbs at discharge
7 lbs at 2 week check up,
7 lbs 6 oz at 4 week check up
8 lbs. 1 oz at 5 weeks (on a different scale, but naked still)

My issue is that he usually is not content after a feeding. He will eat and eat and fall asleep and then eat again. I have consulted LC and latch was checked in the hospital and was fine. I have been taking fenugreek lately and it seems to be helping some at night because when he awakes, we try to bf in the dark and both end up a mess. However, he is still acting not satisfied after feeding during the day.

For example, this morning, he nursed from about 6:00-7:00. When he was finished, he dozed off and seemed satisfied so I laid him down. Of course he woke and would not be comforted - cried as if still hungry. I had pumped an oz earlier, so gave him that and he was still hungry. Gave him an oz of formula then and he was better. I HATE doing that, but I have 5 other young children and feel like I am not able to meet anyone's needs lately.

So, ordered domperidone a couple of weeks ago and just got it today. My question is how much fenugreek and dom should I be taking. (I nursed my now 5 year old for a year while pumping and working outside of the home full time and used fenugreek and domp the entire time but forgot the dosage.)

Thanks in advance for your help and support!!

Andrea

For example,

[KerryS]

Okay, here are my thoughts.

I don't like the idea of throwing dom or fenugreek at a problem without first figuring out and addressing the problem of WHY your baby isn't getting enough. If he's latched and sucking properly, 99% of the time that should be enough to create an adequate milk supply. If he's not getting enough to eat, is the problem with milk supply or milk transfer? If it's a milk TRANSFER issue, taking domperidone or fenugreek is not going to address or fix the problem.

If your supply is truly low, then the best way of fixing it is to pump after feedings. If your supply is low due to baby not adequately draining the breast, fenugreek/dom is not going to fix things, because while they may temporarily cause you to make more milk, if your baby isn't draining your breasts, that effect will only be temporary if your breasts aren't being drained (through feeding or pumping after feedings).

I really think you need more information/assistance to figure out what the problem is and what the cause is. Have you considered renting a scale to see how much milk your baby takes in during a day?

Have you tried doing breast compressions during feedings to maximize the amount of milk your baby gets and keep him actively nursing longer? I would recommend doing that, and pumping after feedings, to increase production.

If he is now starting to gain weight appropriately, do you really NEED fenugreek or dom?

[vickikreiner]

I second the above. Breastfeeding should not be this difficult and I am concerned baby is not effectively empting your breasts.
I would also recommend that you have a consult with an IBCLC even though latch was checked at the hospital. You can check the LC directory on this site to find one near you.
Maybe an LC could help you find the problem and fix it appropriately. Then breastfeeding would be so much easier for you and baby.
Please let us know how it goes!

[Amy_G_]

Your baby should be gaining 1-2 lbs a month and at 6 weeks has barely regained birth weight?

You need to go to an IBCLC for evaluation of what is going on. A weigh in before a feeding and after a good feeding would be a good start--the difference in weight is how many ounces baby is eating. Ideally this should be done a few times over a few days to see a pattern.

Ideally an LC can work with you to figure out the issue, whether it's something wrong with baby's latch/suck strength or other--or if it's your supply. Domperidone and fenugeek will only help if it's your supply. In the meantime, every time baby makes a peep, nurse him. Every time you give formula, you need to pump to replace that feeding to encourage a higher milk supply--otherwise if he gets formula instead of nursing, your breasts are missing out on the stimulation and your supply may indeed go down.

You mentioned that baby woke up when put down, and then wanted to nurse more. that's pretty normal for a young baby, they think if anything is wrong, nursing will fix it. Have you tried a sling?

I know with other kids in the house, it is so difficult to just sit and nurse your babe. If you want to exclusively nurse, you need to get the situation evaluated IN PERSON to see what is going on, and then work to get enough help to nurse your babe as often as he needs to be nursed and pump enough to stimulate your supply if you do have a low supply.

Good luck, please get some help with this issue.

[dengera]

Thank you all for your replies! Now I am wondering if DS is emptying my breasts. It certainly seems as though he has because he often seems to get angry at the breast like he wants more. I will contact someone to have our nursing relationship evaluated becaus I do want to be successful.

I do use a sling to enable me to get things done. It certainly isn't easy changing the diapers of two year old twins with ds in a sling, but it CAN be done!!

I have been really inconsistent with the pumping. Should I be pumping both breast after every feeding? He often feeds from both sides TWICE during a feeding so I often just pump one side. Is this wrong?

Another thought that I have is that my breast are large and have absolutely NO lift left in them. I try to always support myself with my hand while he nurses, but could my size be making it harder for him, thus he falls asleep often?

(Oh, in terms of diapers, we have lots of wets and at least 3-4 or more poopies daily.)

Again, thank you in advance for your advice.

[liz08]

I would also agree that it would be a good idea to nurse whenever he seems upset or hungry. This will help stimulate your breasts to make more milk if that's necessary. Also, it seems an hour is quite some time to feed, so maybe he's not actively nursing the entire time? I would put him down as soon as he falls asleep, and then feed if he wakes up hungry (or wake him up if he falls asleep to finish eating and then put him down). If production is an issue, fenugreek (http://www.seacoastvitamins.com/topic.php?health=fenugreek) will definitely help. As far as dose goes, I just took the recommendation on the bottle (I took the high end of the range they gave), and made sure to drink lots of water. But definitely see if you can get a lactation consultant to help.

[Amy_G_]

ok, I said I kind of liked old threads somewhere else,
but I really don't. ;)

[dengera]

Thanks, Liz08, for the thoughts. However, this is an OLD thread - from when my ds was just 5 weeks old. He is now almost 11 months and we have had a great nursing relationship with the domperidone and fenugreek. Now that he is nursing less due to his love for food - I am weaning myself off the domperidone, but still taking fenugreek. Also, he hasn't had to have formula in months and months. Thanks again for caring!

[KerryS]

Whoa, what happened here?

[dengera]

I didn't do it, I promise!!

Andrea