Talk

Flip

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Infant feeding

Milk supply trouble following a gastric bug - is this normal, will it come back?

9 replies

puffylovett · 18/11/2007 16:34

Hi, haven't posted for ages but wondering if anyone has had a similar experience ?

MY DP and i have had a gastric bug for the last couple of days, and i hadn't managed to eat or drink anything for nearly 48 hours.

I've kept stuff down today though & feeling much better.

However, my previously opulent milk supply has gone down the pan and i just don't seem to have enough. He's been feeding nearly every 2 hours today and through the night, but obviously only small amounts.

Iknow i need to just feed on demand, preferably skin to skin, he's in bed with me while DP is on the sofa and i'm drinking as much as i can manage & eating a bit more, trying ot force self - but is this normal and will my milk supply return to normal ?

Also, we had unprotected sex on tues & i now have a metallic taste in mouth if by any 1 in a million chance i were up the duff, would that affect my supply as well ?

would appreciate if someone could let me know if they've had similar experience.

OP posts:

Report

Pannacotta · 18/11/2007 16:37

I had a tummy bug when feeding DS1, we all had it.
Just fed him more often, on demand as you say, and had him in ned with me and my supply was fine.
I did think not eating.drinking much for 48 hours would have very little affect, so not sure why you've had problems. Perhaps one of the experts will be along to help soon.
Take it as easy as you can and you should be fine.

Report

moondog · 18/11/2007 16:38

How do yuo know your supply is reduced??
Even if it has,the best (only) way to get it up again is to breastfeed frequently. It's the old supply and demand thing.

Are you trying for another baby?
If not...you silly girl!

Report

Pannacotta · 18/11/2007 16:38

in bed even

Report

hunkermunker · 18/11/2007 16:40

How do you know he's feeding only small amounts?

How old's your baby?

Report

puffylovett · 18/11/2007 17:20

yes I know moondog - doh !

he's not actually swallowing that much, but sucking loads. i can always tell when he's getting lots cos he's a noisy eater

also the timing - he can do a big feed in about 6 mins flat when he's starving, but he's taking a lot longer for a lot less swallowing. plus he's taken to bobbing on and off loads to look at the world, and there's no 'write on the wall' spray

he's 8 months btw, he has been teething but it's never affected his eating b4. and he's not ill - we've had about 3 colds plus tonsilitis plus bronchiolitis recently & he's in good health at the mo !

OP posts:

Report

moondog · 18/11/2007 17:22

Maybe your supply has just founds its own equilibrium?
I never leaked a drop or had full boobs or sprayed and yet..managed fine for months, nay years.

Chill out maaaaan.

Report

tiktok · 18/11/2007 17:38

puffy, whatever is happening, it'll help to accept it will pass....don't micro-analyse

Sometimes a bug does seem to affect milk supply temporarily a little - no big deal, esp with a baby beyond newborn. Just feed and it will revert to normal.

Report

SoupDragon · 18/11/2007 17:42

I've had this with a stomach bug before. A day or so and all was back to normal.

Report

puffylovett · 18/11/2007 17:45

ok cool, tahnks. will try to chill and just feed lots !

my supply does naturally go up and down depending on how much he's eaten / growth spurt etc and it's always balanced itself out within a day or two but i've never known him be sucking me dry, even during growth spurts, so it just had me panicking a bit.
thanks !