Mother breastfeeding baby with symbolic light representing milk and health.

Boosting Breast Milk: Does Metoclopramide Really Help?

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Unpacking the science behind metoclopramide and its impact on breast milk production and newborn health."

Jaundice, a common concern for newborns, often brings questions about breastfeeding and how to best support infant health. Many factors contribute to jaundice, including bilirubin production and elimination. Understanding these can help parents make informed decisions about their baby's care.

When it comes to boosting breast milk supply, various medications and natural remedies are often discussed. Among these, metoclopramide, a prescription medication, has been used to stimulate lactation. While it's known to act as a dopamine receptor antagonist, promoting milk production, its effects on newborns, particularly in relation to jaundice, warrant a closer look.

This article dives into a recent study that investigated the impact of metoclopramide on both breast milk production and neonatal bilirubin levels. We'll break down the research findings, explore what they mean for breastfeeding mothers, and discuss whether metoclopramide truly offers a solution for increasing milk supply without affecting the baby's health.

Metoclopramide and Breast Milk: What the Study Reveals

Mother breastfeeding baby with symbolic light representing milk and health.

A recent clinical trial explored whether metoclopramide could simultaneously increase breast milk production and influence bilirubin levels in newborns. The study involved 112 mothers, divided into two groups: one receiving metoclopramide and the other a placebo. Researchers carefully monitored both the mothers' prolactin levels (a key hormone in milk production) and the newborns' bilirubin levels.

The findings revealed a key insight: While metoclopramide did, in fact, significantly increase the mothers' prolactin levels, it didn't have a corresponding effect on the newborns' bilirubin levels. In other words, the medication boosted milk production potential but didn't seem to reduce the occurrence or severity of jaundice.

Prolactin Boost: Metoclopramide effectively raised prolactin levels in mothers.
No Jaundice Impact: The medication didn't significantly alter bilirubin levels in newborns.
Milk Volume: There was no significant difference in milk volume between the group of the mothers who received metoclopramide and the group of mothers who received placebo.

It's important to note that this study adds to the existing body of research on metoclopramide and lactation. While previous studies have shown metoclopramide's ability to increase milk volume, this research highlights that increasing milk production alone doesn't necessarily translate to a direct impact on neonatal jaundice. Further research is needed to fully understand the interplay between lactation, medication, and newborn health.

Making Informed Choices About Breastfeeding Support

The research suggests that while metoclopramide can increase prolactin levels in mothers, it might not directly alleviate neonatal jaundice. This highlights the complexity of managing newborn health and the importance of a multifaceted approach.

If you're considering metoclopramide to boost breast milk production, discuss the potential benefits and risks with your doctor. It's essential to consider other strategies for managing jaundice and supporting your newborn's health, such as frequent breastfeeding, ensuring proper hydration, and monitoring bilirubin levels.

Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to use metoclopramide should be made in consultation with healthcare professionals, considering your individual circumstances and the latest scientific evidence. By staying informed and working closely with your medical team, you can make the best choices for both your health and your baby's well-being.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s12519-018-0217-8, Alternate LINK

Title: Effect Of Metoclopramide Administration To Mothers On Neonatal Bilirubin And Maternal Prolactin: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial

Subject: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Journal: World Journal of Pediatrics

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Shirin Osouli Tabrizi, Mojgan Mirghafourvand, Abdollah Jannat Dost, Sakineh Mohammad-Alizadeh-Charandabi, Yousef Javadzadeh, Robabe Seyedi

Published: 2018-12-05

Everything You Need To Know

What is metoclopramide, and why is it used?

Metoclopramide is a medication that has been explored for its potential to boost breast milk production. It functions as a dopamine receptor antagonist, which, in turn, promotes lactation by influencing hormonal pathways. The study mentioned in the article investigated its direct impact on breast milk production and if it could influence neonatal bilirubin levels. It's important to note that while it can increase prolactin levels, its primary function as per the study is to influence lactation.

What was the primary goal of the study on metoclopramide?

The study assessed whether metoclopramide could increase breast milk production while also affecting bilirubin levels in newborns. The researchers divided 112 mothers into two groups. One group received metoclopramide and the other a placebo. The study monitored the mothers' prolactin levels and the newborns' bilirubin levels to assess the medication's effects. The researchers were specifically interested in how metoclopramide could affect newborn health, particularly in relation to jaundice.

What were the main findings of the study regarding metoclopramide and neonatal health?

The research indicated that while metoclopramide effectively raised prolactin levels in mothers, it did not significantly affect the newborns' bilirubin levels. This means that while the medication increased the potential for milk production, it didn't directly reduce the occurrence or severity of jaundice. The study findings suggest that although metoclopramide may help with lactation, it may not solve issues related to neonatal jaundice.

What is the role of prolactin in breast milk production, and how does metoclopramide affect it?

Prolactin is a key hormone involved in breast milk production. Metoclopramide increases prolactin levels. The increase in prolactin stimulates the mammary glands, potentially leading to an increase in milk supply. The study found that metoclopramide effectively raised prolactin levels in mothers, demonstrating its potential for increasing milk production. Prolactin levels are very important when considering lactation.

Why was the effect of metoclopramide on neonatal jaundice of interest?

Jaundice is a common condition in newborns, often caused by elevated bilirubin levels. The study aimed to see if metoclopramide could influence these levels. While the study found that metoclopramide didn't affect bilirubin levels, the focus was on whether increasing milk supply could indirectly impact jaundice. This is important because if a medication could both increase milk production and reduce jaundice, it would be a significant benefit for both mothers and newborns.