I have a cold: could it affect my milk supply?

[Andromaca]

Just this really: My DS is 7 weeks old and EBF on demand every 2 or 3 hours, ihave a temperature and a cold and I've notices that my supply is decreasing, could it be related?

I also have an under active thyroid but my level has been checked after the delivery and I'm on thyroxin replacement.

There is any way I can boast my milk production? Todat I've started pumping between feeds, but there will be enough milk for my DS?

What signs have you seen that make you think your supply has decreased? Have you taken any cold medication? Some contain an ingredient that can decrease milk supply. Are you keeping well hydrated?

Thanks EauRouge, I'm taking paracetamol, and trying to drink a big glass of water every hour, nothing else.

My DS that use to be really happy at the breast now is fussing and pulling away, the breast are not as " full" as before. Moreover usually when I expressed in the previous weeks I was able to pump out some milk ( not a lot, but some) now I just expressed from the breast I offered as second to my DS at the last feed ( the previous feed was at 3.30) and basically nothing is coming out....

Andromaca - feeling 'full' is just feeling the excess milk your body has made as it hasn't yet adjusted to baby's needs. Feeling softer just means your body has twigged how much baby needs and is making that instead of extra (when you think about what goes into breastmilk it just really isn't efficient to make more than is needed).

If you think baby needs more milk, offering more frequently and offering more 'sides' per feed (you can give 3 or more sides per feed if needed - the more you feed the more you make) is the easiest way to increase supply (plus it doesn't involve sterilising and extra washing up ).

Also, forcing yourself to drink lots more water than you feel thirsty for isn't good, in extremis it can lead to a drop in supply. Drinking to thirst rather than X glasses of water a day is the recommendation. If you drink too much it can unbalance the electrolytes in your blood and your body lowers supply to try and balance them. So if you feel thirsty have a drink, if you don't feel thirsty don't force yourself to drink.

Also, drinking too much can put your kidneys in danger plus you can actually die from drinking too much water (approx 15 litres is the limit your kidneys can process before catastrophic consequences are set in motion). Obviously you aren't drinking that much (I hope!!) but it goes to show more isn't necessarily better where water is concerned.

It sounds like it could just be coincidence as around about now your milk supply could be adjusting to what baby actually needs. The fussing and pulling away could be due to a slower flow of milk relating to less volume? Feeling less full isn't an indicator of decreased milk supply - if you are concerned that LO isn't getting enough milk then maybe monitor wee and poo output, should be having at least 6 wet nappies a day at this age i think. Poo is a bit different as timings can vary hugely from daily to every few days. With regards to pumping, if you are ebf'ing, anything you pump is extra milk and it is normal for there to be hardly any output so I wouldn't worry too much about this. It can be disconcerting I know, but as long as LO is weeing enough and is happy and alert at other times I really wouldn't worry too much. Also, just to let you know that you should avoid any remedies with phenylephidrine (sp?) as studies have shown it can reduce milk supply - think it is in Sudafed and maybe lemsips too.