Pumping and Dumping for a month while on Klonopin

by Christine
(Los Angeles, CA)

My baby is one week old. At 5 days old severe post partum anxiety suddenly started (had it with my son three years ago). It was completely unbearable and I was put on 1 mg Klonopin 3 times a day until my Zoloft kicks in within a month. Until that time, while on Klonopin, I must discontinue breastfeeding. I am pumping and dumping 8 times a day to keep my supply up. I am also taking Fenugreek, Blessed Thistle, and Mothers Milk as I can use all the help I can get. My baby is currently 7 days old and when I pump 8 times a day I am getting about 18oz of milk total. So I think I am currently making enough milk now.

My question is, if I continue to do this will my supply increase to meet my baby's needs in a month? I am also planning on taking one of the prescription meds that increase milk supply, but will wait until I re-introduce nursing.

Is there anything else I can do to maintain and grow my supply?

I did the same thing with my son (three years ago) as I had the exact same issue with anxiety and was on Klonopin. I only pumped 5-6 times a day and even before that I didn't make enough milk and he had latch issues (tongue tied). But after six weeks of pumping and dumping he went back to the breast like it had never been absent. But I always had to supplement with formula as my supply was damaged. I also pumped after every feeding to try and grow my supply. It still was not enough.

Any help you can give me to be able to maintain a supply that will 100 percent satisfy my baby in a month would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you for you time and this wonderful service.
Christine

Answer from the lactation consultant

You are a real trooper. I am so proud of you for seeking help when you were depressed AND for wanting to continue to breastfeed. Being a survivor of severe depression myself, I understand how serious it can be and how necessary medication can be in treatment.
If you had consulted me on medications, I would have likely encouraged another choice besides Klonopin. I have seen great results with other meds that are more compatible with breastfeeding But hindsight is 20/20 so they say.
Your question: how to keep supply or boost supply when ready to reintroduce breastfeeding?
Sounds like you are doing exactly what I recommend: Pump every 2-3 hours around the clock with a good double electric pump ( here are the three I recommend ) for 20-30 minutes. Drink lots of fluids, eat at least 1800 kcal per day and do LOTS of skin to skin and snuggling with the baby. However, I rarely recommend galactogogues when mom is on depression medication. Why? They “could” interact with the medication. Hormones and medication levels are tricky in the post partum period. I would NEVER recommend Reglan to someone with a history of depression. I hope that is not the “prescription med” you were referring to.
Once it is time to put the baby back to breast, you can use a nursing supplementer to ease the baby back on. Like this one:

Sometimes they get lazy on a bottle and a supplementer allows you to use expressed breastmilk or formula to entice them at the breast. A lactation consultant can help you learn how to use a supplementer if you are unfamiliar with them.
Just getting baby back on the breast feeding will boost your supply. Feeding on cue will boost the supply. It will take a few days of frequent feeds but it will boost.
Hang in there momma!
Liz Pevytoe, RN, IBCLC

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