July 3, 2006: I Begin Again

There is a reason why my journal ends with June 8, 2006 and picks up again on July 3, 2006. While I was pumping those 4 days in June I was also communicating with other lactation professionals about my plans to relactate. I found the website: www.asklenore.com. I began reading her information on Newman-Goldfarb protocols for Induced Lactation: The Guide for Maximizing Milk Supply and discoverd she had a "Menopause Protocol". I was not only intrigued by this, I was facinated to think I might be able to relactate at the age of 50. I realized I wanted to do this right, and knew I would need the understanding and knowledge of people who had gone before me. So, I emailed Lenore and she graciously replied that I could indeed expect to get a milk supply if I followed some of the rules she had laid out in her protocols.
What Lenore suggested is that I stop pumping. She said that without any preparation it is like "dry-heaving on an empty stomach." Indeed. I had already noticed that. She said I should start taking 10 mg domperidone 3 times a day and a birth control pill (she recommended Ortho 1/35). I had never taken birth control pills prior to this, so this was all new territory for me. The birth control pill, Lenore said, was to wake up my breast tissue that had been dormant for the past 6 years. I breastfed our 3rd son until he was 5 years old, so I stopped lactating altogether in 2000. I was to take the pill for 30 days straight with no interruptions, then quit taking it and start pumping. I was to continue taking the domperidone. Adding any other galactagogues was entirely up to me.

So, on July 3, 2006, I began my journey in earnest. I ended up taking the birth control pill for only 21 days because I had noted that I was already beginning to leak milk and I couldn't contain my excitement any more than a kid on Christmas Day! What follows is my journal entries for July 3, 2006. After that, I will be putting up fewer details and only what I consider to be pertinent information. For those wishing to learn more about the galactagogues or other details that may not be listed, feel free to email me privately or pose a question on the blog so others can learn too!

July 3, 2006 12:06-12:26

1. 3 ml pale white/yellowish tint. First pumping after 21 days protocol of Ortho 1/35 and Domperidone 20 mg. qid.
2. Symphony breastpump, let-down phase 6 notches, pumping phase 9 notches.
3. I sat up in my bed to pump. I did not massage my breasts prior to or during this pumping session.
4. I took 20 mg. domperidone. I also had taken 2- 620mg capsules of Fenugreek and 2-390 mg. capsules of Blessed Thistle at 10:00 PM before bedtime.

July 3, 2006 0307-0327

1. Just under 3 ml yellow/tan colored milk.
2. Symphony breastpump, let-down phase 6 notches, pumping phase 9 notches.
3. I massaged my breasts for 1-2 minutes prior to pumping. Once again, I am pumping, sitting up in bed.

July 3, 2006 0607-0627

1. Just under 2 ml tan colored milk.
2. Symphony pump, settings as above-6 and 9.
3. Massaged breasts for 1-2 minutes prior to pumping.
4. Took 2 Fenugreek, 2 Blessed Thistle, 2 Domperidone.

July 3, 2006 0911-0929

1. 4 ml from left breast, drops from right breast.
2. Symphony pump, settings 6 and 9.
3. I have developed cracks at the base of both nipples. There is fresh blood there. Ouch! And also, so what!

July 3, 2006 1204-1224

1. 1 ml pinkish milk
2. Symphony pump, settings 4 and 7. Too painful on higher settings.
3. I am feeling guilty. I am pumping in our office at work and Denise is out on the floor doing all the work!
4. Domperidone 20 mg.

July 3, 2006 1513-1533

1. 1 ml tan colored milk
2. Symphony pump, settings 5 and 8.
3. Pumping in our office. Switched to 30 mm shields to see if less torture for my damaged nipples.
4. Took 2 Fenugreek and 2 Blessed Thistle.

July 3, 2006 1813-1833

1. Drops only, did not save.
2. Symphony 5 and 8. In our office, end of day, writing a pump order for a patient.
3. Took 20 mg. domperidone.

July 3, 2006 2109-2130

1. 2 ml
2. Symphony 4 and 7, tired and in bed. Relaxed. Using 30 mm shields and much more comfortable than 24 mm shields.

Stats for the Day:

159 minutes pumping time

16 ml fluid pumped

80 mg Domperidone

3720 mg Fenugreek

2340 mg Blessed Thistle