where's my milk gone??

[seasaltbaby]

worried first time mum here of 11 week old DD who has been EBF. Up until recently we have been v lucky and no problems at all with feeding. I know I've always had a lot of milk as my breasts would feel very full and I had a fast let down, but she seemed to cope with this well. I have also regularly been expressing about 5-6oz a day for her to have in a bottle which has been a major success.
then a couple of weeks ago she got poorly with bronchiolitis and was also in hospital for couple nights. during this time she did eat bit less and I wasn't able to express for two days. she's a lot better now but it seems during this time my supply has reduced dramatically, my boobs never feel that full any more, and I've stopped leaking during feeds. now it seems to me she's not getting enough at her feeds and is struggling to last three hours between.
so is it possible for me to regain my supply and how??

First up, if you really, really feel that your milk supply has drastically reduced then you need to try to find someone to see face to face for some advice and not just go by what you get told on here.

A lack of leaking is not necessarily something to worry about, neither is the feeling of being less full. As your milk supply establishes and calms downa bit to produce what your baby needs rather than the vast volumes of the early days you do tend to feel less full and many people stop leaking (some never leak at all, ever, even when their milk comes in!). Expressing is no indication of supply either so don't worry if you are finding it hard ot express much.

Struggling ot last 3 hours between feeds does not mean you are not producing enough either. Plenty of babies feed more often than that at her age and older. Her needs will change all the time. Feed her when she wants it.

The absolute best way to boost your supply and to make sure that you are meeting her demands is to feed. The more she feeds the more you produce. The best way to make sure she feeds lots is to have her close to you with access to the breast when she wants it. Try to spend a couple of days lazing around iin bed/on the sofa with a load of dvds and some snuggly blankets so you can be skin to skin with her so she smells you, smells your milk and is encouraged to feed.

If she is feeding well, producing plenty of wet nappies and is happy and alert between feeds then that would be a sign that things are going well. However, this is no substitute for medical advice from someone who is also clued up about bf. Keep and eye, keep an eye on her weight too but the main thing is feed on demand.

Gosh, all this sounds 100 per cent normal :)

Your supply prob has reduced - normal with well-established bf.

The full breasts, the leaking, the gallons available for expressing - all signs in early breastfeeding, when nature tends to over-produce. When the baby gets older things settle down, and the supply/production line is much more closely aligned with needs, and very responsive, too, if your baby needs more at any one time.

Few babies consistently go three hours between feeds anyway - this isnt all that often, and many babies will have phases when they increase their bf frequency, in order to increase volume and/or to 'connect' socially/emotionally with you :)

I dont think it has much to do with her hospital stay - though the more frequent need to 'connect' may be a result of it.

Just feed her as often as you feel she 'asks' and all should be well :)

Thank you both for your thoughtful & reassuring responses. Glad to hear this sounds normal-I have no sense of this as a first timer & any change feels strange. I'll just keep feeding on demand & hope my supply is adequate enough for her needs....I'm sure she's fine & all just my anxiety!