Uses: The most common use for Reglan® is as a gastrointestinal stimulant for treating nausea, vomiting, heartburn, and reflux. It also increases breastmilk volume. This medication should only be used for this purpose after all other methods to increase your milk supply have been attempted, such as adequate pumping, rest, nutrition and fluid intake.

Keep in mind that your breastmilk will normally not "come in" until the third to fifth day after delivery. The best indication for the use of Reglan® is for mothers of premature infants who, in spite of appropriate pumping routines, are experiencing decreasing milk production.

How it Works: Reglan® increases the milk hormone prolactin. These levels increase 3-8 times within 60 minutes after taking the medication orally. This is a good time to pump or breastfeed. Prolactin levels remain elevated for at least 8 hours. Improvement in milk production begins to be seen within 2 to 3 days.

Pumping Tips: Pumping routines should continue to be followed with a goal of 8 pumping sessions in a 24-hour period. Taking Reglan without pumping will not help your milk supply. One pumping session at night, when your prolactin levels are at their highest, is recommended. Mothers with infants in the NICU need to be pumping with a double electric, hospital-grade breast pump. We recommend the Medela Lactina® pump. The Medela Pump-In-Style® is an excellent breast pump, but not the pump of choice for establishing or increasing a milk supply. A hospital-grade pump should be used until your baby is at their due date and/or breastfeeding well.

Dosage: 10 milligrams, every 8 hours, for 7-14 days. If after finishing the medication you notice a decrease in your milk production, a repeat course of Reglan® with tapering of the dose may be necessary. Talk to your doctor.

Possible Side Effects: There is no risk to the breastfeeding infant with maternal doses of 45 milligrams per day or less. Mothers may rarely experience the following: dizziness, nausea, sweating, gastric cramping or depression. Talk to your doctor if you experience any of these symptoms.