Baby Addled arrived via emergency c-section early in the morning on April 17.
Since then, I have been recovering from the surgery, adjusting to parenthood, and trying to get the hang of breastfeeding.
This is a quick post (after so many months!) because I’m also trying to finish my academic work by a pressing deadline.
In the meantime, has anyone heard of ritalin inhibiting the production of breastmilk? I had issues with my milk coming in and wondered if it might be because of methylphenidate. Apparently prolactin (the chemical that makes milk come in) is the opposite of dopamine, which is stimulated by stimulants. Too much dopamine = too little prolactin (and no milk), but there doesn’t seem to be any research on this. Anyone else heard of any?
Congratulations!!!!
I am so glad to have found your blog
Congratulations! “Baby Addled?” lol!
Will you call her Addelle?
Sorry to hear you’re having problems nursing. But what an interesting question…..
Could it some how be stress-related, not prolactin related? And maybe you can postpone that deadline?
http://herb-pharm.com/index.php?action=viewpharmersalmanacdetail&contentId=111
“Prolactin, as its name suggests, is a lactation-promoting hormone produced by the anterior pituitary gland. Current medical understanding is that stress can play an important role in the abnormal levels of prolactin in both nursing mothers and the many women who experience symptoms of PMS associated with elevated prolactin. ”
From a herbal perspective, a new mother who is experiencing a reduction in breast milk production may benefit from mild nervous system tonics*, as well as traditional galactagogues (herbs that stimulate the production of breast milk). Fenugreek, Anise, Fennel, Caraway, Milk Thistle and Goat’s Rue all have a long history of use with lactation insufficiency. Chamomile tea and a long hot bath will also go a long way to soothe away stress. Also, consider adding Vitex to the mix, particularly if stress is an issue.”
Maybe contact a lactation specialist with La Leche League?
Or maybe contact the endocrinologists who wrote this piece?
http://www.familydoctor.co.nz/conditions.asp?A=32761&category_name
I hope this helps.
best of luck to you,
Gina Pera, author
Is It You, Me, or Adult A.D.D.?
Thanks for the comments (and sorry it took me so long to approve them!)
I love the idea of nicknaming my baby “Addelle” in this blog, and will adopt this practice this immediately.
I hope to start posting again very soon (tonight or tomorrow?)…
Forget the freakin’ blog.
Take care of your self, and enjoy little Addelle.
LOL
Going to get her in 30 minutes!
Enjoy the little one (although not as little now as last year)
I’m with Gina! Congratulations by the way