Motillium vs Formula

[emc2]

I read up on it with a view to finding out side effects for myself, not bubs.

It is used as anti nausea drug, for cancer and AIDS patients. Long term it can reduce your dopamine levels, so in my case I decided against taking it long term - as I have a previous history of depression. I would guess the effect reverses when you stop taking it.

I wouldn't panic, but rather just keep that in mind.

[christy]

I have depression as well, and used motillium to boost supply when DD2 refused to feed and I had to pump for a while. After speaking with a few Lactation consultants and nutritionists, they were all convinced it was better for me to get as much breastmilk into DD as possible, and that formula was not as good as breast milk with motillium in it. I kept on motillium for a few months and slowly we weaner her back onto breast and no formula (I used goats milk formula as it is the closest thing to breast milk).

[Barb Glare]

Hi, You have really done such an amazing ob here, and I don't think your breastfeeding journey needs to end anytime soon. I think you can broker a win/win situation for yourself and your baby.
Interestingly, while the risks of using mottilium haven't been researched well beyond 12mnths, the risks associated with using infant formula have been well researched. I am not saying it's poison, just that there are risks associated with it's use, and I just point this out because so many people
assume that formula is risk free.
As your lactation progresses it should be less reliant on high levels of prolactin as the baby's sucking is the thing that regulates supply. I note that you tried weaning off motilium when your little one was 4 weeks old, but perhaps things were not suffieciently bedded down for her feeding alone to drive supply. This may not be the same later on down the track.
Around 6 mnths of age babies begin to eat solids. At first it's more for the experience than the nutrition. But, over the course of the second half of baby's first year, food gradually takes over from milk. Breastmilk supply does reduce - but that's the way it works. Your baby needs less milk so you make less milk. You might find that you can "top up" your baby with food and, depending on how you feel reduce the motilium. Your supply might be strong enough to "stand alone" in the second half of the year and your baby won't need as much milk as she will be supplemented by food. A mum in our aBA group found that in the early days she fed at the breast, expressed and topped up with EBM and formula, but after the baby started solids she was able to remove the formula from his diet so he had just breastmilk and food.

[Lisa B]

I'm on motilium as well since DS was 9 weeks old. I can't stop taking it due to supply either. BM is advantageous for my son because he is at high risk of allergies and food intolerances...and in fact does have an allergy and a gene for a gluten intolerance. BM can help delay or possibly prevent the onset of celiac disease and keep that gene latent. Anyhow this may not be a factor for you but it is amazing the potential benefits of BM so for me that outweighed the shift to FF. I'm not sure how long I will take motilium but probably as long as I give my son BM, but I don't think it will be beyond 1 year so I feel comfortable using motilium inside 1 year. My GP has no problems prescribing it and I believe it is often recommended by LCs as well. Oh, the paediatrician has no problems with DS getting traces of it over the long term.

[Life is Good]

Thanks for all of the helpful feedback - it really has put my mind at ease and I really do look forward to breastfeeding my little girl until at least 1, when I may re-evaluate the situation.

Lenny, I hadn't actually even considered the amount of chemicals that would be necessary in the manufacturing of formula. I was more approaching it from the cows milk vs human milk perspective (DS had an allergy to cows milk and it, frankly, scares me that I may have to go through that again with DD should she ever be FF). My GP is pretty knowledgeable re BF, so I may run it past him too.

For those of you that have been on it for 1 year, that is so good to know. I didn't know they had even done clinical trials to prove it save over that period of time (given that it is just used for its side-effects).

emc2, I am very susceptible to any mood-altering drugs and have found myself quite sensitive to many classes of prescription meds. Fortunately I have had absolutely no side-effects from Motillium, but it is something I will keep in mind over the next couple of months.

Lisa, as I mentioned earlier on, we have a history of Cows Milk Protein Intolerance in the family and, the reality is that if DD is also allergic, she will probably end up on an elemental formula, which, whilst very helpful and an absolute-lifesaver for DS, is horribly synthetic and refined and I hate the thought of having to give her that (it upset me enough having to give it to DS). Sadly, by the time I would find that out, my milk would probably have dried up. This is another reason why I tried so very hard to BF this time and really want to continue.

Barb, as always, you are so full of such helpful advice I had considered that she would be less dependent on BF when we started solids in 2 months time, but it is also largely to do with how well she takes to them. If she is a slow starter and her solids routine is only established at a later stage, then the BM could remain as her primary source of food intake for arguably another 4 or 5 months which is why I asked the question. Hopefully she will enjoy her food and there won't be anything to worry about. At least then, if I don't stop it completely, I could certainly reduce my dose.

Thanks again for taking the time to respond

[emc2]

Thanks - that is what I was inferring, just to keep it in mind.

Also Motilium is cheaper on a private script you can get it in bulk for just under $20. It's cheaper that way even if you're on a concession card lmao.

It was just my overall circumstances as to why I didn't continue BF as well. Jim's a footling breech, had an emergency caesar under GA, antibiotics for ages after, had a bladder infection, I am single, had relationship break up, I just found it easier to switch to formula. I always had a supply but it did look watery, I was happy for him to have it as long as possible as it was better than the formula.

[Lisa B]

I'm not on a concession card and I've found the price of motilium varies greatly so so shop around if you go on motilium. The chemists I've been to sell 100 tablets ranging anywhere between $20-30. This can get exxy if you are on a high dosage. I"m on 8 tablets a day so it adds up quickly and is worth shopping around.