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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Galactagogues. Not recommended by the NHS as it decreases lactation?

9 replies

TruthSweet · 13/07/2010 21:20

I've been in hospital since Tuesday (with 24 hour break at home on Thursday/Friday at home).

I have been expressing for my 2nd%ile 9m/o who doesn't tolerate formula well anfd have been advised by her paed. not give it. I have fed her direct 9 times since Friday. She is refusing the right side most of the time (lowest producing side).

I had to hire a pump privately as the post-natal ward won't let their pumps out to other wards (except under duress) even if they are not being used by any new mums.

I went from being able too express 6 feeds for her in 7-8 pumping sessions (6x 130mls) to today being able to coat the bottom of a bottle.

I have been pumping 8+ times a day, block pumping, breast compression whilst pumping, hand expression after pumping, pumping until my NCT hired Medela Symphony times out since I went into hospital.

I was advised by the only available person in the hospital who knew any thing about bfeeding (nurse on SCBU) to have domperidone prescribed to me by my doctors. Also, she said only 3x 130mls a day would not provide her with enough nutrients even with solids.

Being surgeons they hadn't a clue so called up the senior obstetrician. He said they don't give galactagougues as they inhibit lactation.

Do galactagougues do this? Or was I being fobbed off?

I'm home now so am whacking baby on at every opportunity. Hopefully I will be able to recover from this (and from typing out the bfeeding version of War & Peace ).

OP posts:
crikeybadger · 13/07/2010 21:54

Errr, I thought that a galactalogue was something that increase milk supply...

Here's a link to the ever wonderful kellymom www.kellymom.com/herbal/milksupply/herbal_galactagogue.html

TruthSweet · 13/07/2010 22:20

Yup, I know that as I have taken fenugreek in the past. However due to my current medical situation I am leary to try anything that hasn't got medical research into it's effects (if any) on my condition.

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AbricotsSecs · 13/07/2010 23:09

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tiktok · 13/07/2010 23:18

With a keenly feeding 9 mth old, you won't need anything else, I wouldn't have thought, Truth....she will get your supply going again pretty quickly. Bf after this length of time is robust and flexible.

The SCBU nurse is highly unlikely to know anything about the nutritional needs and the bf experience of healthy 9 mth olds.

Now you're at home, just feed ad lib and forget about pumping

AbricotsSecs · 13/07/2010 23:23

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verylittlecarrot · 13/07/2010 23:54

Am embarrassed for the doctor who thinks galactogoues inhibit lactation.

What a muppet.

TruthSweet · 14/07/2010 12:42

Thanks all (and esp. tiktok ). She seems to be happier I'm home so I'm more relaxed and have pumped 80mls in one go (I had an MRI as an out-patient today and had to leave her at home). Just need now to convince her the right side isn't evil!

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chibi · 14/07/2010 12:46

If she eats well it is prob ok to only feed on one side

ds decided at about 10 months that he didn't like the left side anymore, it doesn't appear to have affected anything negatively

TruthSweet · 14/07/2010 19:39

I've conned her into accepting it by rugby ball hold and feeding lying down. Phew crisis averted!

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