Supply dip after illness, building it up

[otchayaniye]

have second child and she's ten weeks and breastfeeding going great guns. She was born on 2nd centile and quickly rose up to 30th. Was able to feed off one breast at a time and could pump 4 oz of a morning if I'd not fed off that breast in early hours.

I was Iill and didn't feed (expressed milk instead, had loads in freezer) for two evening/nights ( fed in day though) to get rest. Was blasé and didn't pump, as didn't get engorged.

But felt it really affected supply. Baby seems fine but nappies a day after weren't as heavy (ok now) breasts are smaller and soft (but I am constantly feeding) and can no longer pump - I think because I'm not getting a strong let down (the sensation went but is creeping back)

We co-sleep anyway and I have fed on and off all night for two nights and am frequently feeding in the day and switching sides and wearing in sling all the time but wonder when I could expect return to normality. Also really upset I can't pump as have a big fortieth birthday thing planned soon and babysitting arranged.

Should I pump after feeding? Even if only drops come out? Or just have her at the breast every 2-3 hours and throughout the night?

feeding as often as possible, you can pump after a feed this may help but I don't think you really need to.

I think the pumping thing could be because you didn't pump when ill rather then lack of supply. Pumping is a different action then feeding and your body often has to learn to produce/letdown for the pump. Also your baby's now 10week's things do tend to setal down when they get a bit bigger, your not natrualy producing that extra milk that you could pump in the early week's. Donn't worry about lossing the sensation either this often does go, a lot of women never feel it. It's no indication that you don't have milk.

If you want to pump try puming the opersit side when feeding as this will help with letdown.

Oh yes and feeding at night is the best thing for your supply to.

Just to be sure, as I'm really stressing and upset about this and feel like I,
been blasé and ruined something good (had anxieties about bf first child but got to ahem almost three years in the end...) I could have

Basically she had from five pm to seven am ebm on one night and 10pm til 6am the next. Otherwise bf in between

Would this have obliterated supply? I'm just panicking about every non heavy nappy she has and every gurgle. Luckily husband is home and so have been able to feed a lot I need to consider my other child too.

Meant "I could have" laid in bed and fed but I was uncomfortable and dehydrated and had a freezer full of ebm and didn't
T think it would knock supply st ten weeks

It'll be temporary. My friend and her dh got bad vomiting and d while she was ebf. Advice was to continue to feed, she did but got so ill that her milk supply dropped dramatically! She had to ff by cup as ds wouldn't take teat. When she was better she put him to boob at every opportunity and milk was back to normal within a few days! Hth x

Thanks, and apols poor typing! Am feeding

By 7 week's supply isn't usealy so fragile as that, you woun't have runined it. Although dehydration when that ill can cause a drop in supply it should only be temperay.