BFing related panic

Jills83

I'm scared!  In the past 5 days I had my first semi-real AF (two days of moderate spotting), the stomach flu, and LO was refusing boobs and bottles (he also had the stomach flu and teething). 

Today is the first day back on my regular schedule.  I pumped for 45 minutes and only got 3 ounces total.  I usually get at least 6 during my first session. Now I'm worried.  I drank 2 large glasses of water.  I didn't have time for oatmeal this AM nor could I stomach it for the last few days. 

Yesterday I was home with LO all day.  He nursed 6 times and seemed pretty satisfied for the first time in days.  I pumped once yesterday and only got 2 ounces, but I assumed that was because he had nursed so many times. 

I know people have posted about this ad nauseam so you might be sick of hearing about it.  But what did you all do to recover from a huge supply dip?

LaRue86

I would say your are simply dehydrated. You could take some Fenugreek, but it upsets my stomach so I am a little hesitant to do so after a stomach virus. I would increase the frequency in which you are pumping for the next week to get your supply back. You can also take a calcium/magnesium/zinc supplement from O to 2nd day of Aunt flow...

DaisyJanie

I've had several dips due to illness the last couple months. I just try to get more water, have some Mother's Milk Tea, and wait for it to come back. It always does, I'm back to 14-16 oz. per workday this week, and I was down to 6-8 oz. two weeks ago.

nerdmommy

Pretty much the same exact thing happened to me a few weeks ago. My supply is back up. I did not take any supplements but just persevered with what I was doing, maybe with some extra long sessions and compressions to get as much as I could. It took about a week to come back.

Jills83

LaRue I will do some research about the calcium/magnesium/zinc supplement. Fenugreek also doesn't agree with me.  I stupidly took a little break from my mini pill and that is why AF showed up.  I'm starting back on my pills tomorrow so hopefully she will go away again for a while.

DaisyJanie, thank you for the advice and it is encouraging to know you bounced back. 

I will load up on water and maybe add my before-bed pump session back in for a few days.

skidaisy

Just keep pumping, just keep pumping, just keep pumping   It'll come back!!!

IdigDirt

It is most likely temporary and will come back after AF.

nativemama12

I definitley increase my water intake and also make sure I'm eating enough. I am notorious for "forgetting" to eat or just staying busy and I have found that decreases my output as well. It also is hard not to stress about it but hang in there!

Jills83

Thank you for the encouragement ladies!   I never knew my boobs would cause me such stress.