Hello again! My milk supply is still low. More Milk Plus, Pumping, Mother's Milk Tea all have had little effect. Now I am taking an herbal lactation pill, which seems to help of the few hours after I take it, but sibsides after that. I am considering calling my doctor and seeing about a prescription medication, such as Reglan. Has anyone taken reglan for milk issues? is it safe? Are there side effects for the baby?
I took Reglan as a teen for migraines and they worked like a charm! Will it work for my milk too?
Hello,
I used Reglan to increase my milk supply when my son was about 8 months old. I had returned to university to finish my degree and was under a large amount of stress which affected my milk supply. I used it to "jump start" my supply for about a week. My OB and lactation consultant had me pumping and nursing ALOT also. It worked and my supply was great until my son stopped nursing. I had no side effects and felt the "risks" out weighed the benefits. Good luck!
I have just had a beer or a glass of wine and it helped.
Cathy B
I had a similar story to yours re supply issues. I did try the reglan and it increased my post-partum symptoms. I had to go off it after a bit because I just didn't feel stable. You should, from what I understand, only take it for short stints anyhow.
I recently was reading a book called coconut cures that suggested low milk supply could be helped by eating lots of coconut oil and coconut milk as it helps up the level of fat in your breast milk. I can't tell you how that would work as I didn't get to try it out, but I think it is plausible.
Finally, I worked with an herbalist who specializes in herbal preparations for women's issues. Her nursing tincture was quite helpful to me, but it got to the point that I decided I would just give my son what I could. You can check her out at herblore.com.
I hope that is helpful. I became a bit of a breastfeeding guru trying to find all the solutions to up my supply (I never got to a full one, but I gained peace of mind). If you want any other ideas, please just let me know.
Reglan was the only thing that worked for me as far as increasing my milk supply. It didn't seem to have any adverse effects on the baby. I've been told it's for short-term use only. I had to stop because it gave me terrible headaches, but if it helped you with migraines before, you may be ok on it.
I had trouble with my milk supply with my first daughter after I returned to work. I was able to breast feed but could not pump with a hand pump enough for her while I was working part time. I used Reglan without any problems but it only helped a little. With my second one I got a good electronic pump and use it regularly. The pumping for me has been much more effective than the Reglan. You might consider using Reglan for a little boost but then try pumping often. Good luck and best wishes!
Hello, I had a terribly low milk supply with my second daughter. I finally tried Reglan and it did not help much and it made me very moody. I also got headaches and flu-like symptoms. I also developed a rash on my neck. For me, it did not work and it was not worth it! I know, however it works really well for some. I always pumped after I fed her for an additional 5-10 minutes on each side and that seemed to help more then the meds. Good luck!
I took reglan to increase my milk supply and it worked VERY well. There are some side effects that you should be aware of, or you may remember them from taking the med as a teen (feeling depressed, anxious, irritable) just a few more things to add to your already crazy hormones :) I was informed that reglan does not have any side effects on the baby, but I would double check with your Dr. about any questions you have. Good luck!
i always have low milk supply also and with my second child my doctor gave me Reglan and it was amazing! my milk supply came in and stayed. it tends to make you sleepy so they have you take it a different way (there's a couple different ways, a lot at first then slow it down, normal...etc.) Just ask your doctor which way is best for you.
i would recommend it, it usually takes a couple weeks to start working but is worth it in the end! good luck!
I took reglan to help my milk supply come in. I had a c-section, so my milk supply was slow in coming so the dr prescribed Reglan to bring the milk in. Just be careful! I would only take like one a day. The Dr. recommended it 3 times a day and I ended up with rock-hard-torpedo-boobs--and then baby couldn't even latch on to eat because there were no nipples. It was very painful and emotionally devistating. I keep thinking that if I had only taken one a day the supply would have come in, but not so much. Also, because of my first experience with Reglan, I was afraid to try it again when my milk supply slowed after 5 months, so I ended up just going to formula. Maybe I should have tried the one a day at that point.
Please let me know what you decide to do, and how it works...I may need the info for my next baby.
Good luck!
I used Reglan, initially to start my supply and later when my son stopped breastfeeding and I was pumping to maintain the supply. Reglan is used in premature babies so I felt a little mmore comfortable using it because of that. Reglan can increase milk up to 5 times. You need to be careful when you are on it because it can worsen post partum depression. Good luck!
Reglan is great...it helped me alot. It is only a temporary fix though. My Dr told me that is is to give your body a boost and then it is your job to maintain the increased supply, by pumping more or feeding more. I had no weird side effects, but I only took it the one round that was given to me and as soon as you stop taking the pills your milk supply will go back down if you haven't done anything to keep it. Good Luck!
I nursed my son and then my milk supply slowed because of some stressful situations. I was told to drink A LOT of water because that helps your milk supply. I'd drink it all day if need be. That will definately help your supply. Good luck!!
I have zero experience with this drug and I didn't read your previous post about this (if you did indeed post about this before) so I'm not sure why you have a low milk supply but my thoughts are as outlined below; hopefully they are redundant though you've probably already thought of them. :o)
The only ideas I have are:
make for absolute sure you are getting enough REST/Sleep;
be certain you're actually drinking enough water--everyone says they do, but when many start keeping track the find they are mistaken, so keep a LARGE cup or bottle of water near you and everytime you sit down to nurse your baby drink at least three HUGE gulps of water;
employ feeding on demand until baby stops eating on her own;
avoid wearing tight or sports-type bras--binding is a method used to cut supply;
do not suppliment with formula because you're baby will not demand from you what is needed;
check the calendar, if you're judging yourself as having a low supply because baby is always wanting to nurse, make sure it isn't during a growth spurt--2 wks, 6 wks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, etc..., for example;
check for teeth or illness, if you're judging a low milk supply because baby is nursing often and/or is crying be sure it isn't a baby issue rather than a mommy issue;
if you're judging your milk supply because you're not filling up a full bottle in a certain period or at all, that's ok, we're humans not cows, make sure you're relaxed and maybe pump one side while baby is nursing on the other--it's a trick at first but with practice not so bad;
if you're judging your milk supply because baby isn't fat and not following the growth charts BE AT PEACE, your baby is eating a completely different diet than the babies those charts are based on--look for steady growth and development, is baby making major milestone,etc...;
do everything possible to reduce the stress in your life;
EAT high quality foods--lots of vegetables, protein (not JUST meat) and take suppliments just like you did when you were pregnant.
If you have questions about any drug you can to out to drugs.com to check out the catagory of drug it is and the major contraindications.
Hi. Great job for hanging in there with nursing, even with your supply issues. I've gone through the same thing, tried the tea and the More Milk Plus and all of that, and I'm also considering Reglan. From what I'm told, it can cause extreme fatigue in moms, also restlessness and depression. It's used to treat acid reflux in both adults and infants, so it's safe when it gets into the milk, but watch for sleepiness or poor feeding in the baby. I didn't know it was used to treat mgraines, that's interesting, I've battled with those for years. Best of luck to you.
I am not familar with Reglan but I just started having problems with milk supply being low and I had a friend recommend Oatmeal.
Here is a link
http://www.kellymom.com/bf/supply/oatmeal.html
I do no have experience with Reglan but recently had lost my milk supply, to the point where I could only get 1 ounce at a time when pumping. Friends recommended the mothers milk tea and Fenugreek, but I ended up trying Blessed Thistle upon he recommendation of the person helping me at the store. It is just capsules, about $9.00 for 100 of them, and I just bought them at Smiths Marketplace in the health food section. I had amazing results and had my supply back within 2 days. The ldy who helped me said she had tried all of those supplements and Blessed Thistle worked he best for her,so you might want to try it before getting on a prescription that has all those side effects. The Blessed Thistle didnt taste bad and I had no side effects. I just took 2 pills 3 times a day, pumped for 5 minutes on each side after I fed my baby, and drank water like crazy(really until I started to hate it!) and within a few days I even had a backup supply of milk in the freezer.
Good luck to you! This breastfeeding business is hard work!!!
I took it as a last resort as well and it worked GREAT. Lots and lots of milk. Go for it! No side effects for me and no problems for baby.
Hi Manige! I'm a big believer in Reglan! I honestly believe I would have had to stop breasfeeding before my son was 2 months old without it. I was scared to death before i started taking it as i found too many websites that were geared for its stomach related purposes that said no breastfeeding when taking it. My sister in law was taking it though for breastfeeding and my pediatrician assured me they prescribe it to little ones as well!
I now work full time and pumping produces so little compared to the real thing it gets horrifically frustrating. I took one full prescription (they had me taking 4 a day!) came off of it and saw a dramatic drop in my production. Had the Dr refill and I'm back to a more realistic level! It isn't a miracle worker in that my supply is still not what I think it should be but every little bit helps!
I have noticed one side effect that I can't say for sure is related but the incontinence that started after I delivered my son seems to be far worse when I'm on the medication. My son doesn't seem to have anything at all though. Breastfeeding is worth it! I'd take it all over again if given the choice!
Good luck!
Marianne
I have never heard of Reglan, I have taken Domperidone (Motiliumâ„¢)and it worked almost too well! I had engorgment after taking it. It is a prescription med so you have to ask your Dr. for it. Good luck and don't get discouraged, breastfeeding is worth it!