Hi there. It breaks my heart to hear about your little boys. I have triplet boys who are almost eight months old. We adopted them. We have had them from the day they were born and I have breastfed them exclusively starting an hour after their birth WITHOUT using a Lact-Aid or any other kind of device. I began the AP roughly two months before they were born.
I also have a three year old bio son. He was born after seven years of trying to have a baby, and my pregnancy with him caused a post partum heart condition that makes future pregnancy very risky. My trio came along after two years of searching for the "right" child/agency/country/situation, and the oppportunity to adopt two children who we just knew in our hearts weren't "ours." (They were each adopted by wonderful families). Believe me when I say I feel for you and wish you immense joy in the child who will be placed in your arms someday.
My responses to your questions (I am by no means an expert):
1)No. I breastfed my oldest for 19 months, and he had been weaned only about seven months when I started the protocol for my triplets. I was also told I was a "relactation case," but found out here that I wasn't. I also tried just pumping for weeks and got nada.
2) I have no idea
3) Because of our unique situation (we know the birth mother very well, she asked us to adopt the babies, and it was a private adoption) I knew exactly when my guys would be born, and in fact was in the room for the C-section. I do, however, know that one of the ladies here followed the protocol, induced lactation, and had a full supply for months before her baby arrived. She had a freezer full of milk by the time her child got to her. I wish I could remember who it was, but I'm sure if she reads this she'll pipe up.
I purchased a Lact-Aid in case I needed it, but I never did, not once. I had no need to supplement with formula either. (That is, no need to supplement because of supply issues. I did let dh supplement once in a while because being the 24/7 cartaker of four children under the age of three, and the sole source of nutrition for three of them, took an emotional toll now and then and I just needed a freakin' break!)
"My medical doctor gave me Reglan but would not give me domperidone. I have since ordered the dom from overseas. "
As I'm sure you know, Dom is banned in the US. I asked my Gastroenterologist why and was told that people who took more than the recommended dose sometimes ended up developing cardiac problems, but by and large thereweren't issues when it was taken as prescribed. Given this, and my determination to nurse my infants, I decided it was worth taking, and I also ordered it from overseas.
When my oldest son was a couple of weeks old the engorgement of brand new breastfeeding wore off, and I panicked as many novice nursers do, assuming I was "losing my milk." I talked to my perinatologist, who prescribed me Reglan (without sending me to a LC, or doing anything to confirm I was losing my supply). WIthin a couple of days I developed frightening and severe PPD. On a hunch I looked up Reglan online,and discovered that depression is it's main side effect. As soon as I stopped taking it I was fine. I agree with Lalle-- FLUSH IT!!!!! Definitely, if you have ANY history of depression or anxiety DO NOT TAKE IT!!!
Best, best, best of luck! Your choice to breastfeed is a great one, and while it's challenging sometimes, it is so worth it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
