I read the article on the side-effects of using domperidone to aid lactation and breastfeeding with sadness (‘The darkest period of my life’: I struggled to breastfeed – then a drug sent me spiralling, 30 May). My baby was born with a severe tongue tie and, no matter what I did, we couldn’t make breastfeeding work because she was unable to latch. As a result, my milk supply decreased dramatically and so I went in search of domperidone. My GP wouldn’t prescribe it, so I found a private doctor who specialises in breastfeeding. Luckily, she mentioned the potential mental health side effects upfront at the consultation, and I decided not to take the drug given my long-term struggles with anxiety.
At the time I felt extreme guilt over the decision, but looking back and now having read this article, I know I made the right decision. I appreciate the author being so open about her experiences, because this will help others. We need to stop pressuring new parents to breastfeed at any and all costs, because for many it is either not possible or not 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 health of the baby. In a country where there is clean water, resources to buy formula and bottles and someone with the ability to mix sterile feeds accurately, it’s not essential. When breastfeeding works it’s brilliant. When it doesn’t it leads to a distraught mother and a miserable, hungry baby. When there is a safe alternative, this is absurd.
Dr Heather Parry
Watford
