Domperidone to increase milk supply

[supergolden88]

I was reading through a few blogs recently about breastfeeding and came accross using Domperidone to increase milk supply.

In some cases this was prescribed by the GP specifically because of low milk supply issues.

I had never heard of this before. Obviously not something that should be used except perhaps as last resort but it is interesting to me as I have had a few friends who wanted to breastfeed but has such little milk (because baby would not latch, was premie etc) that they ended up supplementing with formula and eventually gave up.

Does anyone know if it is safe? I did a bit of googling and came across conflicting info. By the way, in case people jump down my throat for this thread, in no way am I advocating taking drugs to help breastfeeding.

[Fuschia]

I have never seen anything a out it not being safe. I believe in the US it is licensed as a drug to increase milk production.

Along withbn various herbal remedies, I believe it is very effective

[Bluemum]

My daughter has been taking Domperidone for her GERD since 2 weeks old, she is 11 months now. The drug itself is quite harmless (as far as chemicals can be), so I wouldn't think it would do any harm to a breastfeeding baby if the drug is to be taken by the mother, especially if prescribed by your GP. Think if baby is fine by taking directly, through mums system might be even less harmful.

But I would suggest another approach first. When we first found out about my daughter's reflux, I got really stressed and my milk supply very nearly ceased. I was really worried about it as I went for 2 days with very little milk, not enough for a feed. A friend told me to drink 1 pint of water before and after each baby feed for at least 5 days, I had to combined feeding with formula while doing that, but at the end of 4 days, my milk supply had quadruple, I had soooooo much milk I had to stop drinking so much water. From then on, I drank I pint after every feed and I've never had problems with it again.

[gwod]

In 2003 I was prescribed this for producing milk for my baby in NICU that was born at 27 weeks, at which time my body really didnt produce any milk at all. I got the feeling Drs were reluctant to prescribe, and I needed the backing of Clare Kedves (BF nurse)to endorse that I had tried all other means before it I was able to get it. It did work though.

[Fuschia]

I think it is well known now that it is safe and effective, but of course it isn't a magic wand if the problem is one of latch, for eg, and so i can see why GPs would be reluctant to prescribe it without properly understanding what the issue was with feeding. It wouldn't be useful if there was an underlying problem like a tongue tie.. and usually a woman can increase milk supply just by feeding as much as possible and avoiding supplementation.