Stopped motilium, my supply is so low!

[Isadora]

For the past few weeks DD (8 months) has dropped a couple of feeds, we are now at about 5-6 within a 24 hour period. After a few weeks of crusing along with this new routine, I decided a few days ago to slowly wean myself of motilium. Instead of taking 3 per day I dropped to only one. Well today I have noticed a huge difference. I definately do not have as much to offer. Her feeds are much shorter and she is wanting more, which it seems I do not have. My boobs are also noticeably smaller. I tried to come off a couple of months back and had the same problem.

So now my dilemma is, should I go get some more, or should I just accept that I am not a huge milk producer and just see how far we can continue on like this. If I dont go back on motilium I can definately see her weaning early due to my lack of supply. I have also worried about the health affects of it for me, there isnt a huge amount of study done on it.

The other thing worrying me is she will not at all take a bottle. She doesnt mind a sippy cup with a straw, but even then she isnt taking in a decent amount of fluid. I'm worried I wont have any milk for her but yet she wont take other fluids, be it formula or water, which will affect her hydration.

Its also sad for me to realise that the motilium is the only thing that has kept my supply decent.....its almost like what is the point in breastfeeding if I have to take a drug to do so?

[Kmn]

In the first instance I would try feeding her more often - it can take a few days for your supply to respond to increased sucking, but there is a reasonable chance that it will. How about aiming for every two hours during the day, and give her "3 sides" (i.e. return to the first side after she has finished the second) so that she gets the most out?
You could also try 2 tablets for a few weeks and then one for a few weeks - wean off the motilium really gently to give her the change to get used to having to have smaller, more frequent, feeds.

[onthefly]

aw no, it's not just the drug. think of all the time and effort you've put into this
I'm no expert, but as far as I know it's ok to take this longer term if you want to. Perhaps you could try weaning off it more slowly?
I guess I'm a little blase about taking drugs to do things - I take drugs to get pregnant and sustain pregnancy. I take drugs to replace my lost thryoid...
Would you be ok if she stopped soon?

[MrsFabuloso]

Huge hugs. I know the feeling. I had to take motillium to bf my DD. I tried several times to veeerrryy slowly wean off it, but I could never get my supply up to what she needed. We were comp feeding twice a day anyway, so I was lucky that shewould take a bottle too. By the time she was about 6mths, I had decided it was time to stop with the medication. I also worried about any potential health implications for myself and DD. I still fed her twice a day, morning and evening for as long as I could.

I fell pg when DD was 7mths old anyway and my supply dwindled even more. She started refusing the breast so I ended up letting her wean and stopped offering booby. I was so sad and deflated that I had tried everything to get to fully bfing her, and could never do it. Bu tnow looking back at the time, pain, tears and energy I put into feeding her (soooo much more than I have with my boys!) I am so proud of myself and my determination.

If you do decide to go to FF then, maybe try offering her a bottle after each feed now. Maybe it's just that she isn't used to the bottle. If you want to continue to bf, but don't want the motillium, go really slowly with weaning, as in half a tablet less once a week or so. And try to up your DD's feeds. Do you co sleep? If not, maybe try it and give her full access to booby's! If you can have a day when you both just laze about and relax and feed as much as she will take.

I also want to say that just because you haven't been able to bf your DD this time, if you go on to have more bubs, you may be able to breastfeed them. I have gone on to solely bf my two boys, DS1 until he was 23mths and DS2 is still going strong, 2-3hourly round the clock!!

[organic-girl]

Have you had your thyroid levels checked? I read an article a couple of months back about ppl having supply issues and not knowing it was a supressed thyroid. Soy supresses your thyroid. It's just a stab in the dark, but maybe it could benefit you?


---------
Leah and Dan
Lucy 5
Minnie 2
Pippi due 29 sept

YOU are what YOU eat!

[nickle730]

I have had breast reduction surgery so I also have supply problems. I have taken Motilium since DD was born. She is my third child and I was not successful in feeding my first two, I had next to no milk. This is the first time I have tried the Motilium. As you obviously know, it works! Miss P has been comp fed with formula, perhaps two feeds per day, but she is primarily BF and now that she is eating more solids she is taking less formula (she definitely prefers the breast!).

Anyway, I'm waffling... I take 60-80mg of Motilium per day (6-8 tablets). I have tried reducing the dose but I find my supply drops and Miss P starts wanting to BF constantly as she is not getting enough. I have done quite a bit of research into the safety of taking Motilium long term and I am happy that the risk is negligible. Increased lactation is a side effect of taking Motilium. It is primarily prescribed for gastric relux or as an anti emetic (anti spew!). When prescribed for gastric reflux it is usually prescribed long term and numerous studies have shown it to be safe. My only concern is that I am taking a higher dose than is commonly prescribed but if you are only taking 30mg per day I reckon you're fine.

Last time I went to my GP for a new script he showed some concern that I was taking a high dose long term and told me he wanted to do some research himself and speak to a pharmacist. He did do that and told me 'it's actually a lot safer than I thought'. He is happy for me to continue taking Motilium until I decide to wean.

I know all the tips and tricks for increasing supply, but none of them are effective enough for me to stop taking the Motilium.

Just my story, obviously only you can decide what is right for you and for your bub. Sounds like you're doing a great job!

[MrsFabuloso]

I know all the tips and tricks for increasing supply, but none of them are effective enough for me to stop taking the Motilium.

I found the same. I tried everything I could to increase my supply naturally. Pumping, natural herbs and galatogogues, feeding every 2hrs ect etc... For some reason, I just couldn't do it for her. I did have a fairly large PPH (hemmorrage after birth) when I had her, for which I had several blood transfusions and I had a traumatic birth too, but I have no idea what the reasons were for me not being able to increase my milk after her birth. As I said I have successfully fed my two sons exclusively, so my supply is there and is enough to sustain my babes. Just not for her.

[Isadora]

Wow you are all awesome, thanks so much for your advice and relating stories xox

Nickle - Thanks so much for your input, it has eased my mind alot. Its a worry having to take a drug to breastfeed. I have struggled with supply from early on.

Madb - That is so true lol!

I dont necessarily want her to wean anytime soon and besides there is no way she will take a bottle. She definately knows what she wants, now its just whether I am able to provide it.

I too have tried all the natural tricks for increasing milk...doesnt make a huge difference to me. Motilium is the only thing I have found to work. Even with motilium I dont produce a huge amount, but I know I am producing just enough to satisfy her.

I also have the dilemma of my Dr not recommending it. Can a Dr flat out say no to writing a script? She told me a few months back that by now I should try and cut down as DD wont be demanding as much. So obviously thats what i tried to do, but it has left me with very little!

Also it has to be said that even if we did stop b/feeding tomorrow, I wouldnt feel like I have failed or that I didnt breastfeed her for long enough or that I wasnt successful. I am surprised I even made it to 8 months. I feel like 8 months is not nothing, 8 months is a decent chunk of her first year of life. I might not have reached 12 or 18 months, but I still feel like I made it. I'm bl00dy proud of myself!!

That being said, I think I might just try get in to my dr asap to get some more. I simply dont know how else I would get any milk into her without it, be it breast or formula milk!

[Kmn]

A doctor can refuse to write a script - there have been a couple of reports here of people having difficulties getting motilium.
But most will prescribe it. Your Dr suggested you try without it - she didn't necessarily say that if you tried and it wasn't working you couldn't have any more.
good luck!

[onthefly]

you're right, you've a lot to be proud of. But if you want to keep going, then keep going!

[sas85]

Hey, that is so awesome motillium was so effective for you - it only made about 100ml difference for me when I was taking 12 a day so I think you and your boobs have done a super awesome job, well done!

If you're only taking 3 a day, I would be inclined to go to another GP and get enough script to get you through till bub is one and you can feel a bit more comfortable if your supply does drop markedly as you decrease KWIM, it's only a few short months off.

My bub doesn't drink enough other fluids even at her age, other than me, and I only make about 500ml a day. I try but she's still only a sipper. My trick is yoghurt. 100ml tub of yogurt is basically 100ml of cows milk. So it's extra fluid if she needs it and won't have more than sips of water, juice or milk!

[Isadora]

Well I am feeling a tad confused as to what to do now. I saw my DR today, and while he did not say no outright, he was very hesitant to write another script for me. He is worried about the lack of study done on this subject and the possibility of it being linked to breast cancer. Then all this talk got me worried. So I left without my script.

I guess my plan now is to feed her as much as I can, which I can probably make enough for morning and night time. This sucks!!

[Kmn]

I think that you and/or your doctor should talk to an expert breastfeeding pharmacist, like this service:
Drug information centre - Southern Health
As they will have the most comprehensive information.

Motilium is used in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (to combat the side effects of some other medicines), and patients can take it for many many years. There may be a longer term study somewhere in the Parkinson's literature instead of the BF literature.

It does suck - you have done so darn well to get this far though, and you do need to make the best long term decision for you and your baby. Get as much info as you can though.

[Mathilda]

I had a similar problem and used a supplement called lactaboost, within a couple of days my flow was back to normal.Why don't you try it yourself? It's a herbal supplement...

[Isadora]

I just wanted to update this thread for all the mums out there who find themselves in the same situation. And to say thanks once again to you all, especially those who have helped me get past breastfeeding hurdles right from the start.

So I havent started back on motilium. It took me a few days to accept it, but I just cant continue on motilium. I spoke to a few professionals, ABA etc, one said its fine but the others said no go long term. So I decided that I dont want to continue on motilium not knowing if it could have any side effects down the track. I am taking fenugreek instead, which i dont really notice a difference.

Instead I am continuing to breastfeed my baby as much as I can with the supply I have. I can manage quick feeds that she seems happy enough with. I have been able to so far pull off a morning feed when she wakes, an arvo and a bedtime feed. I also fit in a dreamfeed around 10pm. She has the last few nights stopped waking at 3-5am for her feed. I wonder if thats anything to do with my low supply these days or if its just a natural progression? No complaints if she can keep that up So really thats still not nothing. The main difference is instead of 5 min gulping feeds, she is now taking in maybe a minute on each side. Better than nothing though and she seems happy enough. I am keeping her hydrated by offering water in a sippy cup as she wont have a bar of the bottle. Also I have tried that many formulas and even cows milk, all no go. I have FINALLY discovered soy milk in a sippy cup with a straw, and she takes in a decent amount. So I am offering that in between her breastfeeds.

Definately still noticing that I am alot lower than usual, but I am just seeing how much further we can get. If we can cruise along like this for a bit longer, I will be happy. That being said, I am happy anyway, 8 months is awesome if you ask me.

[onthefly]

Sounds good!

[Mathilda]

I found an interesting article about low breastmilk and supplements on ezine, also mentions lactaboost, seems to be quite good, didnt know fenugreek has so many side effects, take a look: How to Increase the Production and Supply of Breastmilk Naturally