Will my milk supply be compromised

[Booper13]

Hi - 16 week old DS2 has a really bad cold/cough and temp. He is still feeding, but a lot less than normal (50% to 2/3rds). I am concerned that this will compromise my milk supply. BFing going well and I am so pleased as I had lots of problems with DS1, so terrified of it all going wrong now. I have a Medela Swing and have used it, but in spite of having a good milk supply, hardly get anything out when expressing. This has been going on for about 5 days - how long before permanent damage to supply? Thanks.

Hi Booper

Exactly the same thing happened to me when my ds was that age. We were both stuffed with a horrible cold and cough for about a week.

Ds ended up losing about a pound in weight, although he took in enough milk to stop him getting dehydrated .

Anyway, the happy ending was: as soon as he was recovered he started feeding like a newborn again (I know, this may not sound like good news...) which had the double effect of stimulating my supply and putting the weight back on him in double-quick time. Within the fortnight he was back on his centile line and continued to bf exclusively until 6 months, and then with solids until 14 months.

It's horrid when your baby isn't well and obviously keep an eye on him if he's not feeding well, but hopefully this will all be over soon and I don't think your supply will suffer.

Thanks - that makes me feel better. I know stressing about it probably won't help milk supply. Did you express during this time or just put up with overfull boobs?

I think I did express a bit. I was worried ds wasn't getting enough milk so I tried him with a bottle - didn't do any good.

Mostly I was knackered and sick though. I don't remember getting overful. Maybe he was taking enough to stop me getting engorged.