How easily does milk dry up?

[hiccymapops]

I'm just generally wondering. I know it must take a lot for your supply to stop. Today I'm really stressed/upset, and the thought of food is making me feel sick, but I'm breastfeeding dd, so I know I've obviously got to try and eat something, but it just made me wonder as I've heard of milk supply drying up when people are unwell/stressed.

[jaggythistle]

What you eat/drink will make no difference to your supply, just to how hungry or thirsty you feel :) Peolple can bf even when quite malnourished, your body just prioritises the milk.

I have heard that stress can sometimes affect letdown, but again can't make you 'dry up'.

Hope that makes you feel less worried :)

[hiccymapops]

Thank you Yes it does, I was nattering about it.

[japhrimel]

IME, the only time that this may not be the case is in the first 2 weeks if baby isn't feeding properly and so supply is really not well established. My DD was in SCBU at first and then mostly had top-ups to start with and I found that exhaustion, dehydration and low blood sugar affected my supply - or maybe just how much I could pump.

Now DD is 7mo and still bf, I can go without food half the day and I may feel like I'm going to pass out but DD stills gets loads of milk!