Exclusive Pumping - Supply Drop

[HelpThisMummyOut]

Hi,

I’m looking for some tips/guidance.

I’m still exclusively pumping milk for my 1YO. Due to latching issues she isn’t breastfed. I’m currently suffering with viral infection/tonsillitis and my wee one is also unwell at the moment.

Over the last couple of days my supply has plummeted. Usually in a morning pump I can get between 10-11oz of milk, whereas I’ve only been getting max 7oz. My last pump at night I usually get about 7-8oz and only getting max 4oz.

My daughter has a dairy allergy so formula top up is not an option, and she didn’t take to medicated formula.

Has anyone been in this position, or similar position? If so, did you supply return when you were well again?

I have been ensuing to increase fluid intake when ill.

Don’t worry about a few days of reduced supply.
Be kind to yourself, given that you and your child are not well.
You can always build your supply back up when you have recovered.
I found that the best way to do this was to add a few more pumping sessions into a 24hr cycle for a few days.
I had a horrible throat infection that caused my milk supply to drop off drastically for 9 days when baby 2 was 3 months old.
Supply returned completely and I was able to continue feeding for another 17 months.
In fact, I got to a point when I was able to feed my own baby and pump for my friend’s prem twins as well as donating to the local milk bank.
Wishing you and your little one a full recovery and lots of nice soft days together in the meantime.

As your LO is 1yo now can you top up the feeds with oat milk (or another suitable dairy alternative) until your supply picks back up when you're well again? Or offer her more water as, presumably, she's eating plenty of food now?
Well done for EP for a year, that's a lot of hard work but so worth it.
I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you @MidsummerMimi @MaryJosephandCherylnotJesus :)

It’s reassuring to know supply should gradually increase once we’re healthy again. I might add an additional pump and hope it gives a few extra ounces!

Sadly with her being unwell her appetite has taken a dip and she’s relying heavily on milk alone. But good shout on topping up with dairy alternative, might be something we need to do if the additional pumping doesn’t work out.

How did you know with your previous a feed would last 45 mins? Really struggling with my first :( he was formula fed for 5 weeks and I started bf two weeks ago- he falls asleep on me within 6 mins of bf, nothing can rouse him and then he will wake up 30 mins later super hungry :( really struggling