Maintaining milk supply while expressing

[Rhody]

My 4month dd has had diarrhoea since early days. She was diagnosed yesterday with a possible lactose intolerance. I have been bf with 1 bottle of formula at 6pm (don't seem to have enough milk at that time of day). I have been told to alternate between breast and lactose-free formula until her next hospital appointment.

I used to be able to express about 5-6oz easily but stopped expressing because I kept getting mastitis and it seemed to be worse with regular expressing. I now don't seem to be able to get more than an oz (although I'm sure there is more than that there because when dd feeds from me she is satisfied). I'm terrified of getting mastitis again and am also worried about my milk supply dwindling as it has taken us both a long time to really get the hang of bf.

If I am unable to express more than an oz at these alternate feeds does anyone know if I'm going to knacker my supply because my boobs are thinking there isn't a demand?

Feeling somewhat devasted and low - encouragment needed please (unsettled baby, sleep deprivation etc etc)

Lay on bed with baby next to you and let her feed with you lying down. The more she feeds the more milk you will produce. You will be less stressed too. Is there a reason you feeding her expressed milk?

Thanks iamanewmum. The reason I have to express is I have been told that I have to give dd this lactose-free formula for every other feed, so for the feeds she is having this formula I am having to express in the hope that my milk doesn't dry up altogether. I am not actually giving her the expressed milk - it is in the freezer until the lactose intolerance clears up and she can fully BF again. I agree with the lying down though - it makes for a much better feed.

In the early weeks expressing gave me mastitis so I stopped then a few months later tried again couldn't get a drop panicked rang my fried who had bf all three and she said once you are past the early months your milk suppy is settled.

You cant just pick up a pump and express, it takes expressing at the same time daily for a few days to get some. So I binned the pump and fed for 2.8 yr I never had any problems with supply. I never bought a pump on dd. Hope this helps.

sorry x-posted I see my advice doesn't help then i would try skin to skin and then express.

I hope your baby is better soon x

Wow, my dd has done her 1st normal poo since she was a couple of weeks old - who would have thought I could be so happy about a poo! Expressing issues seem less daunting all of a sudden. Thanks for your posts.