Milk supply has dropped - could it be related to grief?

[danielle26390]

Over the weekend we had a bereavement and I am absolutely devastated by it. Since then, my milk supply seems to have dropped. My baby girl doesn't seem to be feeding as well as before and I've gone to express tonight after a breastfeed and couldn't even get an ounce. I usually manage to express 4-5oz. Is it possible this could be related to grief? For reference, on Friday I was managing bf and expressing with no issues.

I’m so sorry for your loss yes I’d say it would definitely be a factor, stress and grief do all sorts of things to us physically as well as mentally. I remember when I had an awful bereavement my period disappeared for a number of months so it must have some hormonal basis too. Once again, I’m so sorry. All you can do is keep feeding to try to stimulate supply if you feel able

I don't see why not, grief can affect every single aspect of our lives. Grief is physical as well as emotional.

Sorry to hear you're bereaved, and now also have this worry.

Just put her to the breast as much as you can.

Maybe don’t express unless you really need to?

Lots of skin-to-skin as well.

Really sorry to hear this. Sounds very very difficult. My milk supply dropped off once but I was able to bring it back up, as previous posters say, lots of skin to skin, baths together? Maybe stop expressing if it's an option. Drink lots of water yourself.

See if you can take some time to write freely, I always find that helps when things are really difficult.

Thank you to everyone who has replied. Yeah I'm doing all the skin to skin and breastfeeding on demand. I will try the not expressing for now and bf more to see if that helps my milk supply increase again.

I'm sorry this is happening to you but I think it will definitely be related to your grief. I remember once when I was breastfeeding,whilst having a difficult telephone call and my milk just stopped dead mid feed!
After having successfully breastfed 3 babies I found the best way to encourage supply was water & protein. Carbs just didn't seem to help. Took about 3/4 hours to work. Good luck