Increasing supply when child is older?

[susanmt]

My ds has chickenpox, badly, the poor wee soul. He is one today, and still bf. At the moment he wants to feed ALL the time. Yesterday he must have had about 6 good feeds plus a bit of sipping in between. This morning he wants to feed a lot again and I don't know if there is enough there for him. What is this doing to my supply? Will it be able to keep up with him? What about when he is better - am I going to end up engorged or will it just settle down since I have been doing it for so long?

There will be enough for him. The supply and demand works just the same as for a newborn. The more you feed the more you will produce. The increase in supply is usually over 36-48 hours. Remember though, that because he is ill he is not necessarily looking for food, but is needing the comfort of being at the breast. He is also getting antibodies to help fight his infection ( see antibody thread). The by product of that is more milk. Once he is feeding less your milk production will reduce again. You might have a full sensation for a few days but your breasts are well in tune with your baby having fed for this long. Just keep feeding him and don't worry about next week. You are doing a brilliant job being able to comfort him now. Hope he gets well soon.

Thanks mears. I think it is mainly comfort that he wants, which I am more than happy to provide for him. A few weeks back when he bit me badly I almost gave up and am so glad I didn't. The poor wee thing even has them in his eyes. He is getting better though and I am sure once he is feeling more himself then he wont want to feed as often - there are too many other interesting things to do. Dh has taken dd off the playgroup this afternoon so ds and I can go to bed and have a 'feed-in' and just relax!

Once I am finished pootering round on Mumsnet, of course!