lots of threads about extended bf at the moment. I've been exclusively breastfeeding my 18m old this week!

[welliemum]

dd2 is demand bf, usually having 3-4 shortish feeds a day, but I've just been doing a feedathon this past week - hence extended irritating rambling on MN - because last weekend she picked up a tummy bug (too many Christmas parties) and couldn't keep anything down except BM.

She got really skinny with all the vomiting but didn't get dehydrated and just fed and fed and fed so much - DO NOT READ THIS WHILE EATING - she actually went back to doing yellow bf-newborn poos... Vomiting only lasted a short while but it took her a couple of days to want to eat food again.

Anyway I was impressed that a) you can go back to exclusive bf at this age if you need to and b) that she got off so lightly with what looked like a bad bug.

Not great for me though - I'm hungry enough as it is (and struggle to get enough to eat with 2 toddlers around who nick all my food - this huge amount of bf has really taken it out of me and I feel exhausted and ravenous.

But really I was very relieved that I didn't have to stress about her fluid intake as there was something nutritious she was reliably keeping down.

Has anyone else done similar?

[wastes away]

i have not done this myself but i just thought i would say well done for helping your LO in this way!! my poor DD has had an awful bug that has been lurking around and couldnt keep anythin down and as i weaned her off bf at 6months she didnt have this to support her so well done again and eat choccie that always helped my hunger!! (it does nowt for your waistline though!!)
xx ei xx

hey, thanks!

I'm now really really regretting posting this because I just thought it was an interesting experience but it's only a matter of time before someone tells me I'm being smug

Am eating LOADS of chocs cos I reckon I need the calories... well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it....

Hope she's better now Welliemum and you're starting to feel less ravenous!

Actually, that's the frustrating thing, buzzy - she's been "better" in the sense of not ill since Tuesday, but taking ages to get her normal appetite back.

However today she got up and had 2 man-size bowls of porridge and has been asking for food continously ever since, so I think we're getting there.

Obviously I will keep eating the chocolate just in case.

Hope you're feeling well and ready to roll!

I had the same experience with my 14 month old DD last month.

She was the only one of her little friends to avoid being hospitalized, we came home from the A&E after we proved that she could hold down BM.

She went back to exclusive breastfeeding and the yellow runny poo for 4 days. Day 5 to 12 she ate small amount of food and after that she was back to normal.

I was so tired feeding her around the clock but ever so grateful that we were home together and copeing, rather than on a drip in the children ward.

Breastfeeding rocks !!!

welliemum, It does take ages for them to get their hunger back as such. Hope your daughter recovers quickly

12 days to get back to normal!! You're a hero, ninebabiesdancing!

It is so knackering but I felt the same as you, very grateful to have something that really worked so we didn't need medical treatment.

I would say 12 days to get properly well. She was looking much better after the first 5/6 days

Have a nice christmas

well done welliemum!!! arent our bodies fantastic and smart?

Well done - this is a lovely story. My 21 month old dd is poorly at the moment too and is feeding loads, I just love the look of blessed relief she gives me when she latches on, it's like she's saying 'I'm home, I'm safe, I'm loved'. I hope your little lovely is all better soon.

DS4 (14 months) did the same thing last month, refused food for two days. It is amazing, isn't it?

just finished work got home and found ds asleep on daddys chest took him off he woke up said more bf for three mins and went back to sleep. After his operation the first thing he wanted was milk it was quick he kept it down easier and therefore home long before other babies. I cant say it enough bf rocks

wow!that is amazing well done you

thanks laying here next to him wide awake wishing i had something that would help me sleep so easy i think bf is they only thing i am good at

Great to hear these positive messages no one sounds a bit smug, just grateful and relieved that there is actually something you can do to help your lo get better.