My milk has dried up after sickness bug, will it come back?

[porcupine11]

Has anyone had their milk return after it partially dried up following illness?

Earlier this week I had 24 hrs of throwing everything up and three days of being unable to eat anything much but fruit. I continued breast feeding throughout but I've lost 6lb & today my boobs felt totally empty and we've just had to top DS up with formula for the first time, to fill him up before sleeping. I know this could be counterproductive as he needs to suck to produce more milk, but I'm not sure of an alternative - he's been feeding every 2 hrs at least for the last couple of days and tonight he was sucking away for 30 mins (he usually feeds for 10 mins max, he's 6.5 mths) and he came off frustrated and crying.

Has anyone managed to get back to exclusive breastfeeding after illness & how best to do it?

Thanks

DRINK, drink, drink - you are not losing milk or drying up but you are probably massively dehydrated.

And get yourself some protein. This is not about milk, this is about recovery! Sorry you feel so crappy, been there - it's amazing how you can be vomiting and the baby still hangs on slurping away isn't it?

Do not fret my dear, all will be well in a day or so.

I agree, you need your sleep for healing purposes.

Do you have a pump or can you borrow/hire one? You could express before you go to bed while your DP does the bottle feed.

I haven't BF'd for 4m but experimented last week and can still squeeze out a drop! Reckon if I started pumping again I might be able to get my supply up.

I agree, you need your sleep for healing purposes.

Do you have a pump or can you borrow/hire one? You could express before you go to bed while your DP does the bottle feed.

I haven't BF'd for 4m but experimented last week and can still squeeze out a drop! Reckon if I started pumping again I might be able to get my supply up.

I had real flu when DS (then 4 months) had bronchiolitis. As he was also ill, he wasn't very hungry, which was just as well, as I had zero milk. When he wanted to feed again, we both just went to bed for days on end - we both rested, DH took time off work for a week, did all the housework stuff and brought up food and drinks, we slept when we wanted, DS sucked endlessly and gradually, my supply came back. Without that level of support, I don't think that it would have happened quite that easily. DS then breastfed exclusively until weaning, then continued until 12 months, when be both decided to stop. Good luck with getting back, it can be done with the right support.

thanks for the messages, i took ds to bed with me last night to start the process of endless sucking... means not much sleep but i'm napping with him in the day too and my dh is being great - lucky it's a bank holiday weekend! boobs still soft as anything, but we haven't had to give him more formula yet...