Baby has cold - refusing breast - how to protect milk supply?

[NewBabyStillBelowBirthWeight]

DD, 3 weeks old, has had a cold with snotty nose for c 1 week. I´ve been expressing milk to give her it with a cup as she barely feeds at all from the breast. I want to stop expressing as it´s taking so much time, but will my milk dry up? What´s the best way to get round this problem? I´m cleaning and suctioning her nose and getting her in the cold air as much as possible and this helps a bit. But I really want to stop expressing.

[sdr]

Expressing milk with a 3 week old must be very hard work. Have you tried changing position feeding, lying on your side or putting her in rugby hold (so her body is tucked around behind you). Would get in touch with La Leche League www.laleche.org.uk/ who can help with problems breastfeeding. Don't give up - worth the effort. Good luck and let me know how you go.

[EdieMcredie]

Have you also been trying saline nose drops? They really helped me when my baby had a cold and couldn't breathe on the breast.

Sounds like you are doing a fab job. it's awfully tiring when your baby has a cold...

[Upsidedowncake]

A thought. What breast pump are you using? You can hire industrial strength double pumps which express everything in about 5 minutes.

Very stressful and exhausting. I do feel for you.