With sadness I read the article about the side effects of using domperidone to support lactation and lactation (‘The darkest period of my life’: I struggled to breastfeed – then a drug sent me into a spiral, May 30 ). My baby was born with a severe tongue tie and no matter what I did, we couldn’t get the breastfeeding to work because she couldn’t latch. As a result, my milk supply dropped dramatically and so I turned to domperidone. My GP wouldn’t prescribe it, so I looked for a private doctor who specialized in breastfeeding. Fortunately, during the pre-consultation she mentioned the potential mental health side effects, and I decided not to take the drug given my long-term struggle with anxiety.
At the time I felt extremely guilty about the decision, but looking back and now that I have read this article, I know I made the right decision. I appreciate the author being so open about her experiences as it will help others. We need to stop pressuring new parents to breastfeed at all costs because for many it is not possible or desirable. Let’s trust them to make the right decisions for themselves and their babies.
Alex Martins
London
In parts of the world, breastfeeding is essential for the baby’s health. In a country where there is clean water, means to buy formula and bottles, and someone who can accurately mix sterile food, this is not essential. If breastfeeding works, it’s great. If not, it leads to a distraught mother and a miserable, hungry baby. When there is a safe alternative, this is absurd.
Dr. Heather Parry
Watford