Reglan Concerns & Pumping Issues

I don't know about the Reglan/breast feeding connection but I do know that I regularly see Reglan (metoclopramide - generic) on those class action lawsuit commercials (go to http://www.reglansideeffectslawsuit.com for more info). I do know from personal experience that a rare side effect of Reglan is chemical depression. I have no history of depression and am not at all prone to it, however, in my early thirties I was prescribed Reglan for a slow-emptying stomach and soon spiraled into a deep depression only to learn six months after discontinuing it that it can cause depression in some patients (it's unusual so it is not a side effect commonly listed in the pamphlets). I wouldn't use it. Hope that helps!

I was prescribed Reglan for heartburn while i was pregnant but didn't take it for long after reading about all the side effects (uncontrolled movements/jerking in the face and/or arms) and even lawsuits from it.
I didn't think it was worth the risk so i just stuck to tums. I think if i were you i would just supplement with formula and have a talk with your MIL about the baby not always having to eat 5 ounces. Sometimes babies want less or more. But personally i would be more stressed over the Reglan than the idea of my baby having formula. I don't think the trade off would be worth it. They say the risk for side effects is higher if taken longer than 3 months. Good luck to you!

I would check into Reglan, they don't use it much anymore due to side effects. I know I had premies with reflux and they used it for them (10 yrs ago), but I know by the time they were 5 they weren't using it anymore. I've never heard of the other thing so can't give any opinions on that.

I agree Fenugreek can work well by its self. However, as an alternative or in conjunction with Fenugreek you can use Blessed Thistle (natural herb) or you can purchase Organic Mother's Milk by Traditional Medicinals. I used all three throughout the entire time (15 months) I nursed my son and it definitely increased my milk supply.

I took Reglan after going back to work when my twins were eight weeks old. They were exclusively breastfed, and I also stressed over my supply. My babies experienced no side effects from it, and I took three rounds of the prescription. So, rest assured! Your baby will be fine! And, kuddos to you for being a full-time working/nursing mom. I've been there, and it isn't easy!

Fenugreek can work great on its own. How much are you taking? 3, three times a day is a great start, and you can increase to 5, three times a day. If you are worried about Reglan, you can try just the fenugreek and see what happens.

If you still have supply issues, then start it again. I pump first thing in the morning (weekends too), then twice at work. My 5 month old eats 5 ounces twice while I am working full time, but I do have her on a schedule.

What is your pumping situation at work? I am not all excited to pump, but have been able to have a process that makes it manageable. The extra pumping in the morning when I am the fullest allows me to relax through the day and gives me the buffer. It might allow you extra to freeze for those off days. I am in an office where I can close the door. I have a pumping bra, so can work and not think about it, or read and relax. (Pumping right now, actually.) I was doing the reading when I first started because I was a bit stressed about it. This is my second child, and second round of pumping.

I would not quit pumping, or you could lose your milk all together. If you are considering formula, allow yourself that net. If you make enough milk, great, if not then your baby won't starve. I think that the key is to find a way to not stress about it...I know easier said than done. I had supply issues with my first, and my worry made it worse. I started the fenugreek and got my supply up, and everything seemed to fall into place. I was able to nurse till I weaned at 14.5 months, and pumped till he was a year (at daycare we used the frozen supply, then transitioned to cows milk).

Stop feeling guilty. Start him on formula mixed with breast milk (maybe add two ounces to his 5 ounce bottle.). I bet he'll drink it all. You have done a fantastic job with nursing thus far! No one will judge you if you introduce formula. A gradual addition to his diet should allow his system to adjust. Or, mix formula with baby oatmeal along with his 5 ounce bottle of breast milk.

I took domperidone as opposed to reglan. My doctor said he actually prefers it but it's harder to find a pharmacy to compound it. It worked wonders for me. I took it for about 7 months with great results and zero side effects on either of us, except for becoming a milk maid. haha Feel free to message me about it.

To help your supply, you could up your water intake to a gallon or more a day (sounds like a lot, but you need half that just for you and half for milk -- drink 10 oz with each pumping -- only way I ever got enough:) ), eat more protein with each meal, drink a beer a day (dr's orders:) ) and you can also wake and pump 1x during the night. Also, where do you pump? I worked fulltime and pumped for 2 by using a dark, cool, quiet room without distractions, and sat on a chair where I could lean forward and down between my knees a bit to use gravity, while expressing from back of breast to front to get the milk from the back flowing front. Letdowns worked much better with those combinations, and I did have to change up my environment and positions a bit every few weeks to continue getting 18-24 oz a day (3 pumpings) -- I figure it's like exercise and you hit a plateau:)

75% of nursing moms supplement with formula -- I supplemented 25-50% daily from 6mos to 15mos during the day, and still nursed successfully at night and on weekends without production troubles. If your son's like mine, at 6mos, they were taking 24-30 oz total during my 10hr workday, on top of 3 meals and 2 snacks -- he is old enough to introduce cereal, if that's the upset and fuss factor.

Try removing the Reglan and see if the fussy goes away in 3 days, and if not, perhaps just a gassy time -- babies and kids are definately moving targets:) Little brand makes a GREAT gas drop, or Mylicon if that one doesn't work. Plus, you can also try the bicycle with legs, and colic position holds (mainly belly across thighs or upside-down "football) to help with gas (once took my daughter to Childrens and was nothing but extreme gas -- argh!).

You ARE at a crossroads, both with your production and his growth -- you CAN be successful, just experiment a bit and find what the new factors are:)

I took Reglan 7 years ago with my first (preemie) when I returned back to work. I, personally, had no problems. But more recently, I have been seeing the ambulance chaser ads for it so I probably won't do it again.

Right now, I pump and feed my 7 month old. I pump enough for 5 bottles of 5 oz each and add 1 oz of formula to it. He can take all 6 oz or leave some, doesn't matter to me. He takes 4 bottles normally and rarely gets up in the middle of the night for the 5th one so when he doesn't I always feel like I am ahead.

I asked my LC if mixing the formula IN WITH the breastmilk in the same bottle is okay because I keep reading that one LC told a poster here that it broke down the properties of the milk but she said that is not true.

So...I pump what I can and add formula to make his 6 oz bottle. I'll increase the formula to make 7 or 8 oz as/if/when it is needed and I have no problem with it.

As a side note, there is another drug, it starts with a D (dipirmidone or something like that) that is better than Reglan but needs a compound pharmacy (and a presecription) to make it. I've used a compound pharmacy to get alphahydroxyprogesterone to try and prevent preterm labor and never had a problem with one.