domperidone questions

[bedeilly]

Has anyone used domperidone with any success to increase supply, and if so, what was your experience with it, how much did you take and for how long, and did you see a noticable increase in supply? My DS is almost 15 months old and I really want to continue to BF for 2 yrs. Supply is low (can only pump 5-6 oz per day, and am working full time, so bfeed at night and in am. I've tried everything (pumping for 15 minutes at a time, changed to angled horns, drinking lots of water, getting adequate rest, good diet, even fenugreek and blessed thistle, etc).

[KerryS]

I'm wondering why you think your supply is low? 5-6 oz pumped while at work is not a bad amount, especially at 15 months. It's normal for your supply to not be as plentiful now as it was a year ago, or even a few months ago, and it's also normal for you to be able to pump less over time, even though your baby is getting everything he needs when he nurses.

I would suggest you just continue to offer frequently when you're together and allow the natural, normal changes in your milk supply to happen. As long as he nurse frequently and has a wide variety of solid foods to eat, you shouldn't need to take medication to increase milk production.

[bedeilly]

Well, I guess that's probably a more healthy way of looking at it. Maybe part of this is an emotional response to our changing breastfeeding relationship, which I cherish and don't want to let go of! If I stop pumping while at work - which I may need to do with a new (male) boss starting next week - will I still have enough to satisfy him at night and in the morning? I know it's all based on demand, but I'm just anxious that my supply will drop off even more if I stop pumping during the day.

[madelsmama]

I agree with Kerry. Milk supply slows in response to baby's demand. Likely your DS is eating more solids than he was a few months ago and nursing less, right? Keep in mind, too, that as he nurses less, the milk becomes more concentrated, so he still gets plenty of fats, calories, protein and antibodies.

I know it's hard to watch your output diminished b/c I'm doing that myself. In a 12 hr. shift I pump 1-2 times and take home 2-3 oz. total usually. I've recently started just sending that 3 or so oz. with her to her sitter (as opposed to try to pump more during the week to make up the difference), knowing it's quality, not the quantity that counts at this age. I do notice a bump in my output when I've eaten oatmeal for the days previous to the days I work.

Also, I breastfed my oldest, now 4.5 yrs., until she was 2.5 yrs. For about that last year, she was only nursing 2-3 times a day. My 18 month old nurses about 3 times a day now, and I plan on continuing at least until she's 2.

I would not personally take the domperidone for the reasons you described.

[KerryS]

Well, I guess that's probably a more healthy way of looking at it. Maybe part of this is an emotional response to our changing breastfeeding relationship, which I cherish and don't want to let go of!

I understand! Like Madelsmama, my experience with nursing an older child is that even though they may only nurse 3-4 times a day, they still continued with that pattern for several more YEARS.

When my oldest was 18 months, I got pregnant and my milk supply went away. He continued to nurse for another 3 years, even though he wasn't able to get much of anything (after a while he forgot how to suck properly).

It's normal to grieve over the change in your breastfeeding relationship, but if you offer regularly and you breastfeed for comfort, rather than just nutrition, it's less likely that your child will wean early due to lower production.

[bedeilly]

It's so hard to accept the changing nature of the breastfeeding relationship, but I really appreciate the feedback and shared experiences of others on this front. I'm particularly glad to know that even if I stop pumping, I can still nurse DS. I guess with more solid foods in his diet, he doesn't need as much of mama's milk, but he definitely looks for it at night and in the morning and we have a nice ritual that I want to continue while we're both still enjoying it. (And frankly, I'm getting a little tired of the pump.)

[madelsmama]

Definitely continue to nurse him when you're together as the benefits of the milk are still huge for him. I regard the milk more important to dd's health than the solids that she eats, though the solids are in greater amount at this stage.

Some moms choose to give their toddlers whole cow milk after age 1. I consider dd's nursing 3-4 times a day the same way, except healthier and with antibodies (and other good stuff). We nurse first thing in the morning, before nap(s) and at bedtime. It's a good ritual that's both healthy and effective for us.

I know of many moms that work full-time that have "hung up the horns" at 12 months or so, and have continued nursing when they are together. The only reason I have continued pumping, usually once, when I work is b/c it's a 12-13hr shift, and we are apart for about 14 hrs.

Perhaps consider visiting the Pumping board as well for extra reassurance in this area as well.

I think it's great that you're giving your little such an amazing gift!