Sick, Stressed, Dehydrated... Milk supply diminishing.. what can i do???

[~Stoked~]

Hello All...

Long story but this week i have been in hossy to have a D&C, My dad is in hossy with Golden Staph and the last few days i have been quite sick, vomiting, pain in kidneys, headaches etc... i have lost about 4kgs this week.

My milk seems to be drying up fast. My boobs have shrunk dramatically and my baby seems to be feeding every hour cos he doesn't seem satisfied. I am drinking heaps of water but have only just started eating again. I am letting him feed as often as possible... what else can i do? I am not ready to give up BF'ing!!!

TIA xxx

[Fleur]

What a tough week you have had. Sounds like you need rest, water, rest, food, lots of baby cuddles ... I know sometimes that's easier said than done.

Hopefully someone will pop in with better advice than me but I just wanted to offer hugs... hope it all improves for you soon.

[Traveller]

So sorry you have been having such a hard time.

Your breasts will feel less full the longer you have been feeding as they get used to what they are supposed to be doing, so that is normal.

Also if you are sick and stressed your baby is probably feeling a wee bit stressed too, so will be feeding for comfort more than nutrition.

Is he getting plenty of wet and dirty nappies? Is he bright eyed and not lethargic? If so it all sounds normal given the situation. Keep offering him milk whenever he wants, the hormones will make you both feel better. Lots of rest, lots to drink and eat, and he will almost certainly reduce his number of feeds soon.

T
xx

[onthefly]

Hope you're feeling better stoked
Like Traveller says, output is the best indication of input. How's that looking?
giving him free access is good. Make sure you're taking care of yourself too, yeah?

[Barb Glare]

Hi,

Mothering is certainly a tough gig when you are feeling so unwell yourself, not to mention the other stresses you have been coping with. Traveller gave you some great advice. Fortunately, breastfeeding is a robust system. It takes a lot more than a bout of gastro to knock it on the head. As your baby knows, the more she breastfeeds the more milk you will make. When you are sick you just want to hide under the doona, and baby's demands can seem exhausting - but she is doing a great job of keeping the milk supply up. Try to keep yourself as hydrated as you can - small amounts of a rehydration fluid would be great. Eat when you can. Hopefully you will be over this bug soon. You don't have to be eating or drinking particularly well to produce breastmilk