Where has my milk gone?

[vasillisa]

I've not been ill or anything, but since 2 am today I appear to have not been making milk - usually have loads for DS aged 3 months. He only usually has breastmilk, used to mix feed but has recently been rejecting any bottles (we just gave formula once a day to settle a colicky tum/give me a break)

Baby seems fine - not crying of hunger/wet nappy this morning - nursing as normal - but just comfort suckling I think, as he has had a tough night with his tum. no full cheek sucking or evidence of milk coming out (i also tried expressing).

breasts feel totally deflated - usually tons of milk in the morning.... rang la leche and they said dont worry - any suggestions as to whats going on, what i can do to encourage flagging supply?

Try not to worry - milk does not just disappear overnight. The longer you breastfeed, the more established milk production is and you start to lose the full sensation of earler days. Just keep feeding as normal. Baby would not suck happily at an empty breast. Expressing isn't a reassurance because often if you are anxious, you can't get milk out.
Breastfeeding frequently ups the milk production. The more a baby feeds, the more milk you make.
Did you feed more frequently last night than normal?

Agree with everything mears said.
Rarely, with extreme stress, breast milk can suddenly drop however, you didn't say extreme stress was the case.
It's far more likely that your DS has perhaps fed for longer and your breasts are now trying to increase supply (there is always a bit of lag time between increased feeding and increased supply so like mears, says, keep feeding frequently and your milk will be fine. The unfamiliarity of soft, 'empty-like' breasts is just down to the fact that your ds is now so effcient at feeding and so your breasts are making the exact amount he needs. Breasts are not 'emptied' pr 'drained' - at about 3/4 'full' so to speak, there is a reflex that stimulates more milk production, as long as feeding is still occuring.

phew - thanks for advice. back in full flow now. i took advice from le leche lady on the phone, she said same - it doesnt really just disappear - chill out, just hang out with baby and feed whenever he wants - so i had a lazy day in bed with bambino and a good book - and plenty of food and drink delivered by DH.

Think maybe I was just knackered

He must have been getting enough anyhow - as he never appeared hungry or cried even though it looked to me like my breasts were 'empty'