BF Moms: If you have gotten sick while bf...

courtelizabeth81708

I'm usually a lurker on this board, but I have a question for the BF mommies. I am currently sick with a sinus infection/cold. It is getting better now. I noticed this week my milk production has extremely decreased. I pump and bf, depending upon the time of day, LO naps, and we are introducing the bottle. I used to pump 4-5 oz each boob every 3 hours. In the morning, after only 1 short feeding during the night, I used to pump between 10-14oz total. Now, I'm lucky if I can get 2 oz each boob every 3 hours. I've tried to pump more to make sure i'm either feeding or pumping (even to "empty" after a feeding) and its not working. Its been like this for a week and i'm starting to freak out because i go back to work on the 5th. 

So, if you have been sick before, has your supply decreased when you were sick. If so, did it go back to normal when you got better? Thanks!

Stellasmom

I experienced the same thing after a stomach bug and it took a month to get completely back to normal.

vstevens

I've been sick and have noticed that I'm pumping less, but LO does not appear to be fussy/hungry so I'm not sure my supply has actually decreased.

Might be a very obvious question, but did you take a lot of meds while you were sick?  A friend warned me off of decongestants after they affected her supply.

Cobra11

vstevens:

I've been sick and have noticed that I'm pumping less, but LO does not appear to be fussy/hungry so I'm not sure my supply has actually decreased.

Might be a very obvious question, but did you take a lot of meds while you were sick?  A friend warned me off of decongestants after they affected her supply.

Definitely stay away from those because that is what is recommended when you are trying to dry up your milk supply. 

courtelizabeth81708

I have not taken any medicine. I wish I could say that I did, because then I would know why my supply has drastically decreased. I've only used a saline nasal spray, what I used when I was pregnant.

I'm so nervous that I'm drying up! She doesn't seem fussy after a feeding, but she is feeding every 1 1/2 - 2 hours during the day. She used to go 3 hours. I'm also concerned because when she takes a bottle she eats between 4-7 oz, so I'm not pumping a bottles worth of milk.

snoopy3319

It's really common to decrease in supply while you're sick. Your body is going to be dehydrated, so you'll really have to increase your food and fluids to maintain. I'm sick now and noticing that my body isn't producing as much either. I've been trying to drink lots of tea and warm liquids, water and such. I'm having a really hard time keeping up with eating, though. Hopefully it goes back to normal. If not, I'm not sure I care anymore to keep up with DS's demands. He seems to be eating like a crazy man lately. I just don't have it in me to pump like a crazy man as well.