Lactation tablets: Motilium/Domperidone

[Bathsheba]

Is anyone else taking these? I've recently been prescribed them to help increase supply... haven't noticed much difference yet. ATM i am feeding on demand and giving one small bottle of 120 ml formula each night... he seems content with this ammount but I'd like to do away with the formula. Was just wondering how long I should wait before returning to the doctor...

[Lisa]

I'm taking Motilium and have been for a while now... I didn't notice much at first, then whoa!! it was like when my milk first came in all over again!!
I would say to wait 5 days, and if nothing much has changed, then go to the Dr... the only thing that is frustrating with Motilium is that sometimes, when you stop, your milk suppy can really dramatically decrease... so I try to express like crazy for a few days before stopping. HTH

[Bathsheba]

Thanks Lisa It's only been day 4 for me. I also have trouble taking the tablets 3 times a day on an empty stomach as instructed. This is because I tend to graze all day... and don't have "proper meals". (I graze on relatively healthy things like dried fruit/nuts/yogurts etc.) The last two days I've taken tablets in the middle of the night to compensate. I was worried that eating might have been interferring with absorbtion.

The doctor prescribed me 4 packets which will cover me for a couple of months apparently... I'll see how i go... if no improvement I'll contact him within a month then. My supply hadn't totally diminished it was mainly that my left boob had dried up and I wanted to get it going again.

[Firstkid]

Hi,

I was taking Domperidone for around 6 weeks because my milk dried up a little after some breastfeeding problems. I've got to say I didn't notice a big difference in supply whilst I was on the tablets (I was taking 6 a day), but my bub started stacking on the weight, so I presume they were working!

Re taking them on an empty stomach, I thought that this was only important if you were using them as an anti-nausea drug (increasing milk supply isn't the only thing they are used for), so I took the tablets whenever I remembered to, whether I'd eaten or not.

The important thing to remember about these tablets is that you have to come off them slowly (i.e. reduce the number of tablets you're taking over a week or so), and express when you can, just so your milk doesn't dry up.

Good luck!

[Bathsheba]

Caro: ah yes, I recall you advising oat consumption in another thread and i thought to myself "well I've got that covered!" as I crave oats and have a huge bowl of rolled (not toasted) meuslie every night as a "dessert". I can't seem to stomach porridge ATM but maybe I'll give it another go. Thanks for the post

Firstkid: Oooooh I didn't know it was used for anti-nausea. I might have to Google it to find out more... thanks again for your help

[Cherie]

I think it's actually Maxolon which is the anti-naseau drug, rather than Motilium.

Motilium is also prescribed for gastric reflux, which is why they would have recommended that you take in on an empty stomach Bath. I did ask my GP about this, and she said if taking it to increase supply, then you don't need to worry about when you take it in relation to meals, that's only for people taking it for reflux.

I'm taking 10mg Motilium 3 times day to increase my supply. I did notice an increase when I first started taking it (eg. started leaking from one breast when I first start feeding from the other breast), and that has continued, but it hasn't increased further as far as I can tell. My lactation consultant has recommended that I continue to take it 3 times daily, long term, as we're having breast refusal issues related to low supply.

BTW - the maximum I can ever express is 50ml (if DS has completely refused about 2 feeds in a row), otherwise I never get much more than 20-30ml, but this is much more than the 10ml I was geting prior to starting on the Motilium.

[Bathsheba]

Thanks so much for you post Cherie! I've started taking the tablets when they are due instead of waiting to have an empty stomach... what you said makes sense and links up with what i've read online... I'd better mention it to my GP though (he is only a young fellow)... he probably hasn't had to prescribe it very often... more frequently for reflux I guess.

It's good to hear though that it's been effective. My supply today has been very good despite being very active and not drinking enough water! *slap on wrist* My poor left breast still feels too soft though... I'll try attaching babe soon though and hope he at least tries to extract something!

[Bathsheba]

sorry missed your post Caro....now I'm thoroughly confused and the kids are being chaotic aggggh!

[Cherie]

This is the information from the ABA website:

Domperidone has properties similar to metoclopramide and is used for gastrointestinal conditions such as nausea and vomiting, and gastro-oesophageal reflux. It is also increases prolactin levels. It causes fewer side effects than metoclopramide.

One study found daily milk production increased and at one month all women in the treatment group were breastfeeding adequately, while only two of the placebo group had sufficient milk. There were similar findings in a group of women treated for low milk supply two weeks postpartum.

SUMMARY

Domperidone given for four to ten days has been shown to increase prolactin levels and milk supply. There appear to be fewer side effects in the mother with this drug compared to metoclopramide. While it appears in breastmilk, there is no indication that it affects the infant in the doses used.

[Bathsheba]

Just quickly: Thanks for posting the ABA info Cherie : puts my mind at ease... a trustworthy source indeed! I didn't think to check there although I am a registered member of the site... d'oh!

I really really appreciate your help girls.... sorry i can't put more time into my responses ATM... witching hour!

[Cherie]

... witching hour!

Here too lol. I sympathise!

[Soph]

Hi Caro - I've been on Motilium since Ned was 3 months old and was sick (therefore my milk supply went out the window as he wasn't feeding). Whenever I stop or decrease them too my milk goes down a lot. They are great though!

[Danni]

hey soph, are you still taking them?

I have been taking them for around 3 weeks now and whenever I drop one a day, my milk disappears. its so damn frustrating especially when the GP and MCHN says I can stop taking them now. I am way too scared...

How long can you take them for?

[Soph]

Yeap Danni still taking them! WIsh I could stop but can't either without a big drop in supply. Paed said it's ok -just check with your doc

[Danni]

ok then im not in a hurry to stop either. How many do you take a da?

[Cherie]

Danni - my GP said there was no probs with taking it long term. I'm taking 3 per day.

[Cherie]

Thanks for that Shannon - that is really interesting.
3 x 10mg tablets 3 times daily is a lot more than what I'm taking, & I'm still having supply issues (and supplementing every feed). Perhaps I will talk to my GP about increasing my dosage.

[Cherie]

I've just double-checked - mine are definitely 10mg tablets. Weird