Use of domperidone
Yes you do need to go to a doctor to obtain domperidone. With all medications it is better to see a doctor first. Fenugreek or mother's milk tea is a better option.
To quote Dr. Jack Newman "Domperidone must never be used as the first approach to correcting breastfeeding difficulties. It must not be used unless all other factors that may result in insufficient milk supply have been dealt with first. These include the following:
. Correcting the baby's latch so that the baby can obtain as efficiently as possible the milk that the mother has available.Correcting the latch may be all that is necessary to change a situation of "not enough milk" to one of "plenty of milk".
. Using breast compression to increase the intake of milk.
. Using milk expression after feedings to increase the supply.
. Correcting sucking problems and stopping the use of artificial nipples. "
Remember also that the amount of milk a mother produces depends on the frequency and effectiveness of the sucking her baby does at the breast. Some mothers find that their milk supply varies during the course of a day. Most mothers feel fuller in the morning and less full in the evening. If the mother's milk supply seems to be lower in the evening, more freqent breastfeeding will satisfy the baby's needs.
If the baby is gaining well and has plenty of wet diapers and bowel movements, there is nothing wrong with the mother's supply. It could be a false alarm. One of the most common is when the baby suddenly increases the frequency and /or legth of his nursings. Babies who are very sleepy as newborns often "wake up" at about two to three weeks of age and also during growth spurts at around two weeks, six weeks, and three months. During these peiriods they nurse more often than usual to bring in more milk for their increasing needs.
If you need any more help please contact a La Leche League leader or a lactation consultant.
Judi