I am expecting my second adopted child in about 6-8 weeks and I am overwhelmed by the protocols and all the wonderful information out there!!! With my first I only used herbs and some pumping (only had 2 wks). Since I have more time I want to try the protocol but have some questions. First...when do you start the BCP? My GYN says not to start until the Sun after my period starts. Is that true?? Or can I start anytime. Thanks for any help.
Paula

I am pretty new at this as well. But i do know that you can start any time. Good luck

Juliasmama, you start it now. You aren't taking it for birth control so you don't need to wait like you normally would. You also take it non-stop without taking the blank/sugar pills. Depending on when in your cycle you start you may have some break through bleeding or even a full period this is fine and is totally normal. Make sure that you use some other form of birth control if there is any possibility that you could get pregnant.

Oh and I would also suggest that you print off the protocols and take them into your OB/GYN.

Thank you so much. One more thing...should I even be taking the BCP??? I was on another message board (4 friends) and someone there suggested to not take the BCP cuz time is short. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> Argg. I started the Dom today just waiting on the BCP. Sorry to be so needy!!!
Paula

I did the original accelerated protocol (it has changed some since then)and I took the dom and bcp for 32 days then went off the bcp and added herbs continuing to take the dom. Your best results will come from going on the protocol. You said you have 60 days right? If you have that you have plenty of time. Amy (one of the ladies on this board) didn't even have that much time and she is nursing without supplementing right now. Go to the main page here and look up the protocols. The one you will want is the accelerated You can also email Lenore directly with questions. Her email is at the bottom left corner of each page.

Laurie...thank you so much for your help and input. I started the dom yesterday but I will start BCP right away. Thanks for the encouragement.

Hi Paula,

Lalle is absolutely correct. The fastest way to bring in your milk supply, from what we have observed after working with over 1000 women, is to do the domperidone/birth control pill combination for AT LEAST 30 days. Then stop the birth control pill, maintain the domperidone, and start pumping with a double electric breastpump. Most of the moms here have used the Medela Pump in Style with great results.

Also, be careful to make sure that you are on the RIGHT birth control pill. They are not all creasted equal. The one we recommend for the acelerated protocol is Yasmin. If you can't get it, you can substitute Ortho 1/35. Stay away from OrthoNovum or any of the other low dose or progesterone-only minipills. They don't contain enough hormones to do the job. Remember, you're taking the birth control pill to develop the milk making apparatus of your breasts, not for contraception. Like Lalle said, you take an active pill each day, no sugar pills. And because you are taking the bcp for your breasts, not to control menses, you can start at any time. In your case, the sooner the better.

And please be sure to find a board certified lactation consultant to help you with the breastfeeding basics and to learn how to use a supplementer should you need to in the beginning. You can find a board certified lactation consultant here www.iblce.org Just click on the "about IBLCE" button and the US and International Registries pop up.

Warmest regards,

Thank you Lenore. This message board is so great for support and encouragement. I started the Yasmin 3 days ago and continuing the DOM. I spoke to a board cert Lac consultant yesterday and she said that she tells her women inducing lactation & on these protocols to begin pumping about 2-3/wk right away...1/day if I wanted. Gradually increasing. What do you think about that???

Hi Michelle,

Well I'm not sure where this LC got her information. Pumping too soon releases oxytocin before your breasts are ready. Sort of like wretching on an empty stomach. In our experience it's best to allow the Yasmin and domperidone a chance to do their thing, then start pumping.

Warmest regards,

Will do...thanks again.