Uh, oh! Cycle returned early and still Breastfeeding. Help.

I've known people who have been both extremes. With my first, I exclusively breastfed and my period returned when she was 6 months old. I didn't notice any supply issues - but it was right around the time when she started solids so she would have started drinking less milk regardless. I continued to breastfeed her until she was 15 months old - and in that time, I fell pregnant, had a miscarriage then fell pregnant again. I weaned her when I was about 3-4 months pregnant with my 2nd daughter. I did notice some supply issues at the end, but pregnancy also does that. I think that she self-weaned because my milk was drying up anyway.

With my 2nd, I'm exclusively pumping and have not got my period back yet, she is 10 months old. I keep expecting it back since I thought it would have come when she was 6 months or so too. Or I could be 4 months pregnant and not know it ;) haha (I hope not!!!). Through an exclusive pumping group that I'm part of, I have heard that many women have supply issues when they get their cycle back. They say that their supply goes up around the middle of the cycle and then drops back down when they are having their period. Some of them swear by domperidone. I'm not sure if/where you can get domperidone in HK but if you have supply issues but still need to maintain supply, that's what works for most of them. I haven't tried it personally though...
 
Mine came back at 6 months and then it was the beginning of the end for my self-weaning son, completely finished by 12 months. Not only did my supply drop, but it took forever to let down and that irritated my son. I'm hoping with my daughter, now 4 months, things will go better.
 
Well, originally when I posted I figured my cycle was back but I didn't have a normal period. I basically had two days of spotting. But, I could definitely feel the hormonal flux. I hadn't had any emotional ups or downs really since giving birth--I was on a very nice hormonal high, actually and that all came crashing down right at the same I had that spotting. I went for my 8-week post-partum checkup and tipped the scales on the PPD questionnaire. Arrrrghhh, hormones!

So, I'm still breastfeeding and pumping but my daughter has started sucking 6-7 ounces of milk down at a feeding while I'm not home so I feel pressure to produce more milk as I'm falling behind. I think I have to go to pumping every 2 hours whether I like it or not to try to up the supply. I've been drinking Mother's Milk tea a lot and that helps a little but I can definitely feel the change.

I am not so sure domperidone would even be an option for me. Since it interferes with dopamine production I'm guessing that it might make PPD even worse. I was just reading about it here: http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/domperidone.shtml
 
Thanka, Mother's tea is good for maintaining a supply, but might not give you the boost you are looking for. Why don't you try strictly fennel seed tea?
 
I've been eating oatmeal nearly every single day since my daughter was born--would hate to imagine how bad it would be without eating oatmeal. :?

I'm going to crack out the fennel and see what that does for me. Thanks for the suggestion.
 
I would consider talking to your doctor about using domperidone.

Thomas Hale PhD in his book Medications and Mothers? Milk gives this drug a Lactation Risk of L1 = Safest.

He says,
?It is known to produce significant increases in prolactin levels and has proven useful as a galactagogue.?

He also says,
?Domperidone (Motilium) is a peripheral dopamine antagonist (similar to Reglan) generally used for controlling nausea and vomiting, dyspepsia and gastric reflux. It blocks peripheral dopamine receptors in the GI wall and in the CRTZ (nausea center) in the brain stem and is currently used in Canada as an antiemetic. Unlike metoclopramide (Reglan), it does not enter the brain compartment and has few CNS effects such as depression.?

I've attached a scan of the pages from the book for you.

Best wishes,
SARAH

Sarah Hung IBCLC
www.lotuslactation.com
 

Attachments

Sarah,

Any recommendations for doctors who know anything about this. My doc knows next to nothing about breastfeeding.

Thanks.
 
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