Feeling very unwell and worried about milk supply

[ReySky]

Currently exclusively breastfeeding my 6 week old. The last few days my period has returned which has coincided with me having a virus - fever, aching, nausea, vomiting and now horrendous diarrhea. I have zero appetite and am chugging water and ginger tea / camomile tea, but I can see my supply has dropped and am really worried for baby - he is increasingly fussy and seems unsatisfied after feeding, and I don't feel letdown as much. Also if I try to hand express hardly anything comes out, whereas previously it would spray everywhere. Is there anything else I can be doing to boost supply? I'm feeling incredibly down and anxious about this although he is still having lots of wet and dirty nappies and smiling lots etc. Thank you.

Around 6 weeks supply normally levels out anyway so you feel less engorged and don’t have any extra milk so to speak. Some women report a dip in supply for the first few days of their period but usually recovers quickly. Just ensure you are drinking plenty and eating what you can and I’m sure you will produce enough. I can’t hand express any milk and I know I have plenty.

Lots of skin to skin contact together maybe have a bit of a baby moon for a few days if you are concerned. And the anxiety over it won't be helping. You have done your very best so don't feel bad about it . Chances are you are producing more than enough but the outward signs you get in the early days tend to settle at this point

Just echoing what others have said, it is normal for your supply to settle at around 6 weeks, it is also normal for a 6 week old to be going through a fussy, wanting to feed lots stage at this time too. Wet and dirty nappies are a good indicator to your supply rather than what you can express. Take to your bed if you can, plenty of skin to skin, feed on demand. Get well soon!

You might have mastitis. It’s incredibly painful and I remember feeling like I had the flu. It was worse than my experience of covid. Hope you feel better soon!!