Medication for increasing milk supply

Hi Im Jessie new mum to Charlie whos 6 weeks old and was born at 24weeks.

I have noticed that most mums who have had their child premature have problems getting enough milk.

When i noticed i wasnt getting enough milk i went to the doctor and he perscribed me Maxalon which worked great. I was getting about 50mil everytime I expressed how ever i had to stop taking it because it was making me so tired. So I went back to the doctor and got Domperidone and have been taking that for a week now and I dont see it working. My dosage is 20mg three times a day.

What else can I do my baby has a backup supply of milk from when he wasnt feeding for about a week due to an infection. I want to be getting at least 200mil a day of mil for him and at the moment its not happening.

I think that you may want to talk to your doctor about increasing your domperidone dosage. Also - how often are you expressing?? You may need to try for 6-8 times a day!
Some people need 50mg or more of motilium to be effective.

all the best
Kate

Yes thats what I wanted to know what dosage of domperidone does everyone take.

Mines 60mg a day.

I was taking up to 80mg per day.

I was also drinking Aktavite/milo, you can also try fenugreek and there are some awesome lactation cookies you can bake, but I never had the time to do it :redface:

I dont have time to bake and I dont want to waste money on other things.....

I have to go back to the doctor tomorrow because I have ran out of tablets and last time I went the doctor didnt know what kind of dose to tell me to take.

I know that 80mg is safe as that is what I prescribed, and that was as high as we went with it for me, and that was prescribed by a GP/LC, perhaps we can try and find you a GP who knows more about it, or some information you can take in?

Domperidone This article looks like it has the information you are looking for, unfortunately it is not from and Australian source, but the dosages it lists is 3 x 10mg x 3 daily (90mg) or 2 x 10mg x 4 daily (80mg)
HTH's

fenugreek is a herbal tablet from the health food shop. Works a treat ;)

Hi Jessie, I was prescribed 60mg per day (2 tablets 3 times a day) but the lactation consultant that I spoke to before I went to the GP for the tablets advised me that I could up the dosage to 90mg (3 tablets 3 times a day).

A friend from my MG was taking Blessed Thistle and that worked for her, I'm not sure of the dosage though.

Someone from ABA may be able to help you out with the dosage for domperidone, they are really helpful and you can send them an email through their website.

Goodluck

I couldn't take too much medication while I was expressing as I'm a very high risk of Breast Cancer and taking those medications can also increase your risk (only slightly for normal people - but it was too big a risk for me).

So I took fenugreek (helped a little bit) and the best thing I found - Aktivite! I found a recipe (I think on here somewhere) for an Aktivite milkshake. When I took that throughout the day - I got nearly twice as much milk!! Amazing stuff - and Australian made (and yummy!!!).

Good luck!

Jessie, it took well over a week for me to notice a difference after starting on Domperidone. Probably closer to 10-14 days which was really disappointing for me since the LC I saw said it would be 48 hours max. Just wanted to mention it to you incase it kicks in over the next week or so. Good luck.

Jesse Maxalon does work well but it ism't as safe as Motilium. I was on 90mgs daily so I would ask for your doseage to be increased.

I also expressed every 2-3 hours throughout the day & night. This is very very important. Something that also helps is to take with you the sheet from your baby's crib - his smell & his photo can help with the let down reflex. It might sound a little strange - but give it a try. :hug:

THE nost important thing is regular breast stimulation. This is so very important. We need to try and reproduce the stimulation of a full term newborn. The snuggles are an important stimulant. So when you can Kangaroo cuddles against your bare breasts. Then go and express. Or express next to your baby in the NICU this also can help.

I just want to say to you that you are an amazing Mama. YOu are doing the best thing for your little one in trying to express for him. Your milk is liquid gold to his developing body. Try to really give yourself kudos for what you are acheiving. Your breasts will continue to produce milk & it will increase. Look how far he has come in 6 weeks. In another next 6 weeks (perhaps a little more) he will hopefully be feeding at your breast.

It is much harder to establish supply when your baby is in NICU - not the least is the stress & anxiety you are feeling. So please know you are doing incredibly well & I wish I could do something personally to help you. Just know you can come in here whenever you need to and we will support you... :hug:

Beema are you also on lil aussie prems?

you might have replied to my post on there about my son?

Also - can you hand express after you've "finished" pumping - try and squirt/dribble what you can in to a big, clean bowl. Or even down the sink - at least getting it out of your boobs will tell them to make more and help with longer term supply.
Hand expressing guide is here:
Parenting and Child Health - Health Topics - Breastfeeding - expressing and storing breastmilk

How are you going Jessie? I hope you and your little boy are okay... :hug: