I have had many moms have issues with supply after starting micronor…The
mini-pill or progesterone only can have side effects!  I don’t care what the
package insert says - I don’t care that it is progesterone only.  I have had
too many moms have loss or decrease of supply as well as hormonal (mood)
reactions that warranted immediate discontinuation of the mini-pill.

 

What worked to bring back supply:  LOTS of stimulation (BF or pumping or
both), herbs and domperidone.  I never ever recommend Reglan due to it’s
known and negative possible side effects as well as you can’t stay on it
long (unlike domperidone)…so if mom needed to stay on a medication to keep
the supply up – Reglan would NOT be a good choice, in my opinion.

 

I have a mom I am working with who has struggled with supply for 2 months
(baby is 3 months old) – we looked at her history and her Dr had told her to
go ahead and start the mini-pill at 4 weeks postpartum – yes – 4 weeks!
Baby had been gaining very very well up until that point (was averaging 10
ounces per week weight gain – she never lost from birth weight – started at
8’0” and just went up from there!).  Almost immediate supply decrease
resulted in lack of weight gain and then weight loss in the baby.  Dr
suggested it was simply that mom couldn’t make enough milk and it really
wasn’t a big deal.  ???  There is always ABM. ??&$^#*@  don’t get me
started!  Parents were so angry with that attitude!

 

Supplementation started at 2 months (8 weeks).  Baby doing well now.  Mom
stopped the pill after discussing the issue with me when baby was 3 months
(as my opinion as to why the supply was low agreed with her and her
husbands).  Prior to talking to me she was still on the pill, but taking
herbs, pumping etc – working very hard to increase the supply – with no
luck.  Now, she is taking herbs, nursing frequently, pumping after feeds
(about 30 minutes – gets all of ½ an ounce) using all EBM to supplement back
and supply is coming up – but slowly.  She is not interested in Domperidone
as her sister had a minor negative reaction to it (stomach ache and
headache).

 

These are frustrating situations – moms are getting the info from HCP’s that
this pill is “Just fine and won’t hurt the supply” and it just is not always
true.  Also, HCP’s (including Planned Parenthood in my area) are perfectly
happy to ignore the package insert which states NOT to start these pills
until at least 6 wks pp.  They are starting moms anywhere from 1 wk on…and
then the moms wonder why they are having issues.  It really ticks me off, to
be honest…

 

My thoughts on the subject…

 

Warmly,

J

 

Jaye Simpson, IBCLC, CIIM

Breastfeeding Network

Sacramento, CA

www.breastfeedingnetwork.net

 


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