medication that inhibits prolactin and supply

[HotI]

I take medication, and one effect of the medication is that it is an inhibitor of prolactin. I am hoping to breastfeed, have had leaking nipples during pregnancy, and using a hand pump can get milk (colustrum) out of them now.

I know it is a bit of a wait and see, but wondering what sort of things i can do to increase prolactin (or just generally milk production) if needed.

I have joined the ABA, and read Breastfeeding Naturally, and attended a course on breastfeeding.

I have spoken to Rodney Whyte about my meds awhile ago, and they are not likely to cause harm, so that is not an issue. Stopping my meds is not an option.

Also, is there a professional person (doctor) in the ABA that i could talk to if low supply is a problem, in terms of what can help milk production without affecting my medication.

Thanks for any info,

Kate

[lisaandshaun]

Hi,

i was told to take fenugreek tablets to help with increasing milk supply. there should be a lactation nurse (was at ballarat base hospital) that would be able to give you advice in regards to medication, their affects and how to increase supply.

This is as much advice i can offer, sorry if it doesnt help.
Good Luck.

[onthefly]

Have you called the ABA? They have all sorts of experts and might be able to rustle up someone who can give you more specific advice.
The best way to increase production is by feeding more often. There are also drugs that increase production. Both of these rely on prolactin - would increased prolactin affect your medication, or is it just that your medication reduces prolactin?
I don't suppose there's an alternative medication you could use?

All the best~~

[Kmn]

I think you would have to see her as a private lactation consultant, but Lisa Amir is a doctor who specialises in breastfeeding - including medication-breastfeeding interactions. Her details are here:
Mother & Child Health Research

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

I guess that we would need to know quite a few ore specifics about your situation before we could give more than the most general information. It would depend what medications you were taking and why you were taking them. Sometimes women have a health condition that means they normally make way too much prolactin - the medication dampens this down in their body.
All the signs so far seem good for you - I wouldn't necessarily anticipate a problem - you have done all the right things so far. Joining ABA, doing a class and badically finding out how breastfeeding works, and forming a support network is the best investment any mother to be could make. Women have high levels of prolactin while they are pregnant - but the placenta makes other hormones that inhibit prolactin - that'swhy you only make small amounts of colostrum whilst pregnant. When the placenta leaves your body it allows the high levels of prolactin to "do their thing" - make milk! Prolactin levels are high immediately postpartum, but over time they return to fairly low levels, but lactation continues just fine - milk supply becomes driven by the baby's feeding - the more you feed, the more milk you make - rather than being driven by high levels of prolactin as it is in the first weeks of lactation.
Frequent feeding is the best way of ensuring a good milk supply. Few people understand that babies feed 8-12 times in 24 hours - this is normal! Allowing baby unrestricted feeds will ensure the milk making system works optimally. Lots of skin to skin contact from birth promotes prolactin production.
Rodney Whyte is an amazing resource to have in our community - we are very lucky. He specialises in drug therapy in pregnancy and lactation. Another chat with him may be worthwhile to guage his opinion on the effect the medication you are taking might have on your milk supply, and what alternatives might be available. It must have been reassuring to find that the medication would not be problematic for your baby.
Feel free to pm me with more details if you wish.

[HotI]

I haven't rung the ABA yet, cos i wasn't sure who to ask for.

I'm not sure whether taking extra prolactin (or medication that increase it) would affect my medication, i guess that is what i am trying to find out. The inhibition of prolactin is a side effect of the medication- not the mechanism of it (if i understnad correctly).

Thanks for Dr Lisa Amir's details- her research sounds interesting and she sounds like she could be a good resource too.

Thanks Barb for the offer, If i get stuck i will PM you for advice, it's good to hear that so far things seem pretty normal- it will be lovely if I just have the same issues as other Mum's and i am happy to work through those.

thanks for your replies.