Ill, breastmilk drying up and 7mo allergic to formula.

[Roobo]

I'm really unwell with a sickness bug. I'm trying to feed my baby but can feel my milk is drying up, most likely because I haven't eaten in 24hrs.

DS has cows milk allergies (which we are only just discovering since weening started a month ago) and I don't know what to give him.

Any advice?

How old is your LO? I had a sudden dip in supply due to illness but we were just able to ride it out as it was only a few days. It's miserable isn't it, I hope you start feeling better soon xx

Sorry, I've just seen you say your LO is 7 months.

We found out my son has cow's milk problems at the same sort of age, so much sick!

I'm sure your LO will be okay with whatever milk they are getting even if it is less than usual. If you can face offering often then try to do that.

I had to have a medical treatment that meant I couldn't breastfeed for 24 hours when my son was 6 months and he refused formula and the tiny amount I could express but we got through it, and my supply recovered quickly once I was able to let him feed often again (and felt a bit better).

I have found coconut water has always given me a better supply xx

Drink as much water as you can.

I had a sickness bug when DD was a few weeks old and ebf. I didn't eat for two days but could still drink water, and my supply held up until I got better. I lost lots of weight, I think my body converted fat to make milk. Sadly I guzzled enough food to put it all back on afterwards.

Offer as many feeds as you can to stimulate milk production, and offer your DS more food and water in case your milk is not as rich as it normally would be.

Good luck and I hope you are OK, I felt very distressed when I was ill as I was worried about DD, but your DS is still getting the best nutrition through your milk and can have other foods too, so please don't worry too much about him and get well soon.

I really feel for you, I had a sickness bug when dd was about the same age. My advice is just keep feeding him as much as you can/he wants it. Drink a lot of water to replace all your fluids. I'd be surprised if your supply stopped after only 1 day of not eating so try to relax a bit and of course eat plain foods once you feel up to it.

Is someone else there to help you?

OP there is no way your milk is drying up after 24 hours of not eating. After 7 months, your supply is too well established and would take several weeks of not feeding your baby to go away entirely. Remember there are women living in famines and poverty around the world who are keeping their babies alive by breastfeeding.

Just take care of yourself and stop worrying

I think oats are supposed to help with supply so might be a good food to eat when you feel up to it.

Just to reassure you and correct a couple of misconceptions...

Your supply almost certainly isn't drying up at 7 months though during some periods of illness or hormone changes (menstruation, ovulation etc) you can experience a dip. Water will not increase your supply and the quality of your milk will not be poor or altered because of lack of food, nor will this dry up your milk. Milk is made from your blood, not converted from fat stores. Fats, protein and sugar are taken from your blood to make breast milk and your body will do this regardless of how crappy you feel or how much/little you're keeping down in terms of food.

Drinking and trying to stay hydrated is important to make you feel better since you're already unwell and breast feeding is an extra demand on the body.

To maintain supply, you do the same you have always done and that is offer regular feeds. Of course if you are unwell then you may find you are not up to breast feeding as much and it's okay to say you are ill and need that break. I'm no expert on formula but there are alternatives. My niece had various allergies and had specific formula to deal with this but at 7 months you might find you don't need to resort to that if you're still feeding from the breast and offering water/water based food when you need a break.

I had a couple of stomach bugs while breast feeding and I carried on as normal with regards to feeding and did as little as possible, took care of myself and waited for it to pass. You can feel absolutely awful and your body carries on feeding the baby as it always has. I used to wish my immune system was as well adjusted as my supply!

Thank you all.

DH is here looking after DS and 2yo DD, who I can hear telling her Dad what to do

Hopefully I'm worrying unnecessarily, just feel useless. I'll keep drinking water, thanks for all the advice.

I hope you feel better soon. I always found that as bad as the initial vomiting and violent illness was, the following headache, stomach cramps, wrung out feeling was worse. You do feel more down and despondent too. Glad that 2yo DD is running the house for you. Let her. Tell DH to obey her every command. Sleep, rest, sips of water (rehydration fluids are vile but good if you're dehydrated) and hopefully you'll be on the mend soon.

Thanks for that SaulGood, I didn't see that before I posted! I feel very reassured

I know this is a bit 'cringe' but isn't the human body amazing!