Is DS on a bf strike? Am I doing right thing? (sorry, long)

[MamaHobgoblin]

DS, 7 months, has a v nasty virus, started in early hours of monday morning, and he had a horribly high temp on tues night (40.1) that sent us to out-of-hours centre. He's over the fever for the most part now, thankfully, but is still riding out the virus. I think it's given him a v sore throat (gps have said it looks red) and sore glands in his neck, because he's been refusing virtually all attempted bfs and solid food over last couple of days. Today, he last had a 'decent' bf at 6am, and that was only less than 10 mins. Since then, he's had a couple of squished strawberries and a slice of mango, v reluctantly. He's also had another 3 mins bf from me, which I only got into him by lying down next to him as he crawled by, and it ended with him having a paddy. He's refused all other attempts to breastfeed with furious screaming. I have tried every position known to women.

Saw the GP about this an hour ago, and she was obviously concerned about dehydration. Told me to get fluid into him by any means possible before 6, otherwise we'd have to go into hospital to rehydrate him.

Since then, we've managed the 3 min feed I mentioned above, and some EBM (50ml, which was all I had) in a bottle, and then about 50ml of Aptamil. This worked! We think it was because he was stretching up his neck for it, and maybe not crushing sore glands? Since then, I've been expressing like mad, because I'm worried about my milk going down, esp. if we have to give him some more Aptamil to keep him going overnight (I'm rubbish at expressing, never get that much). Does the act of expressing help the supply, even if I don't get much, if the nipples get stimulated??

Is he on a BF strike because of the soreness, and what should I do, apart from expressing, to get him back on, or will he go back to the boob when he feels better?

[MamaHobgoblin]

bump? I'm pretty concerned about my supply, esp. if bottles are all he takes until he's well. Don't think I'll be able to express enough to cover it.

[Shooflypie]

MamaH, sorry your poor DS isn't well. I am nervous about posting this, as obviously there are medical issues involved regarding his virus - but thought I would say that when DS had a kind of nursing strike at about 5 mo, I got some great advice on the Kellymom website.
This worked: I took DS to bed for a whole day, did skin to skin - very relaxed, the opportunity for him to nurse always there but not forcing it either. The following day there was an improvement, 3 days later he was completely back to normal.

However, as you have the issue of high temp etc I suppose the best thing is to keep in close contact with your GP (skin to skin probably not necessary tho !)

I should imagine that expressing will definitely stimulate your supply - again I'm sure Kellymom will have info.

Hope your DS gets better soon.

[MamaHobgoblin]

Thanks - in my sleep-deprived stupor, had totally forgot to look at Kellymom and will do so now! He's a lot better, in fact, and has been bfing again, thank goodness. he's lost his temperature too. Phew!