Low milk supply on prednisone

[audreyog]

I've had to be on prednisone for about 2 weeks now for a bad asthma exacerbation. I've noticed a pretty dramatic drop in my milk supply. Is there anything I can do to help increase this while I finish out my steroids? Is it likely that my milk supply will return?

[admin]

Audrey:

While I've heard of prolonged steroids reducing milk production, I don't really know what the reason it. I presume it is because corticosteroids reduce prolactin secretion. I'd suggest you continue to breastfeed often after you stop the drug. if that doesn't help your milk production, you might try a few weeks of Metoclopramide (Reglan) 10 mg TID. But don't use this more than a few weeks. I suspect, your prolactin levels are reduced by the steroid. The Reglan stimulates prolactin production.

Tom Hale Ph.D.