BFing and sickness - should I FF?

[Gracie123]

I have exclusively breastfed my DD who is now 4mo.

As I'm sure many of you are aware there is a very nasty vomiting bug (Norovirus I believe) going around. Most of my family and friends have/have had it this week and it appears DD might be starting with it too.

She has been projectile vomiting for about 2 hours, but screams hungry in between and the only thing that settles her is feeding. Problem is I have now used up my entire expressed milk supply and boobs are empty. She is livid.

What can I do? Should I go buy some formula? She's puking it up anyway, would it matter?

Could I go back to BFing in a week when she is better or would my milk supply disappear? Not really sure what to do.

Please someone come and convince me I'm not starving my baby!

your breasts wont be empty - if you keep feeding her your breastmilk supply will catch up.

I know that's the theory, but reality is that she is screaming and refusing to suck because she thinks they are empty/it's too much effort and I've spoiled her with ebm in bottles.

Just feel like I might be starving my baby

I'd keep breastfeeding - if her tummy is upset anyway then formula might make it worse.

Gracie - what happens when you calm her down and put her on your breast?

Try getting into the bath with her and just relaxing.

In answer to your question, you cannot just stop bf for week at this stage and then go back to it - sorry. You would find you would need to re-lactate, which is possible but not easy or fun.

It's hard to calm her down to be honest. As soon as she does start to drift off and look a bit sleepy (exhaustion from shouting) DS (2yo) does something to wake her up again and she starts up with the screaming again.
Everytime she feeds she vomits, but she still seems to want to feed (?)
I wouldn't have thought she'd be hungry if she was feeling sick, but she is.
I can't take a bath with her, because that means leaving DS alone, and the poor boy hasn't had anything to eat/drink/even a nappy change in the last 2 hours because I don't want to put her down (I'm typing this on iPhone whilst walking around juggling her on my shoulder!)
I'm going to have to deal with him soon (he's being so patient) but I'll feel so awful just letting her scream and vomit on her own

BM is more easily absorbed so even if it looks like a whole feed ha come up if she is keeping any milk in her for even a few minutes she will be getting some nutrition.

Even if she is suckling on a breast that feels empty she will be getting some milk. It may even help her to not have large volumes of milk in her in one go (too much can make a baby sick regardless of norovirus).

I really hope she feels better soon and you get a change from clearing up sick.

Gracie, you need help. She sounds poorly. You cannot cope, feeling sick as you are, with a poorly baby and a two year old.

I still don't understand what happens when you put her to your breast - will she stay there?

I had norovirus this weekend, and DD was frustrated as I think my milk supply had dipped a bit while I was poorly.

But as long as she'll keep sucking, the milk will come. It doesn't matter how full your boobs feel (or not). I read somewhere on MN in my early BF days - "Breasts are like a river, not like a bucket" or something to that effect. They're not 'empty' or 'full', there's always milk available if the baby needs it.

Hopefully she'll start recovering soon.

I'm not sick - just tired of cleaning up sick!

I think you're right, it's probably best not to introduce new food whilst she is ill. She seems to be drifting off now anyway, I'm scared to move in case I wake her up again.

Thanks for your help ladies. I knew I could count on you all for some support!

Glad she's settled a bit. I only puked etc for about 4 hours on Sunday but I was out of action until yesterday evening. Be prepared for a very cuddly 48 hours, she'll probably want to be very close while she gets better. Hope your DS is being patient.

Keep doing what you're doing, and it will be over before you know it.

agree bm is absorbed very quickly . DS 2 had an operation as a toddler and i was allowed to keep bf him until just a short while before the op. long after he wasn't allowed formula or food

lots of small bf are just what she needs. i knwo its exhausting for you

Had no idea BM was considered a 'clear' fluid. How funny!

She's not sleeping well, but she has stopped trying to feed (hooray!) which is nice. Trying to decide whether to put her in a sling and sleep in a chair (keep her upright, she screams when I lie her flat) or whether to try and bring her into bed.

DS has been an absolute angel. As has DH who took screaming DD for 20 minutes between work shifts so that I could spend a little time with DS and put him to bed.

also, if she is ill, your breast milk will help make her better.

drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated and maximise your milk production, keep going with BM, you're doing great!

Formula might upset her tummy even more because she isn't used to it and it creates a completely different environment in her gut. BM will help her recover.

Definitely stick with BFing, it is the best thing for poorly tummies.

Fingers crossed that you all get some sleep and that tomorrow is a better day!