Questions about bf after very bad stomach bug

[mumto5cuddlebugs]

Over the weekend i managed to pick up the worst tummy bug i have ever had. i was violently ill for two days and it was awful. I could not keep down fluids for nearly 48 hours and have eaten my first meal this evening. (thankfully i have a wonderful mother and sister who took my big ds and my dd off our hands for the weekend).

On top of that i was so worried about keeping up with feeding Jem...i feel quite proud because it was very hard but we did it!

I'm feeling sore but better now. I am sure my milk has been affected though. Before the illness i was producing an awful lot of milk, changing breast pads very regularly and feeling my milk come in before Jem was ready for a feed. Now i am not leaking at all and am not feeling my milk come in, also Jem is wanting to feed more often. Does anyone have any idea how long it will take for my milk to go back to normal?

I'm worried that he is not getting the nutritional content he should be and that feeding more often will affect sleeping routines.
Thanks for reading,
Kirsty

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

Hi Kirsty - glad to hear you're feeling better.  With most women, your supply gets back to normal in a few days.  She might well ask more often and stay on a bit longer for that time, but once things settle out, she should get back to a regular routine.  Looking at her ticker, though, she's prime for a growth spurt, so keep that in mind.  Just take care of yourself and your body will do the rest.  And your body gives the milk priority over YOU, so the nutrition she's getting will remain excellent, not to worry!

[lisi's mum]

Hi Kirsty, poor you! Just wanted to wave really, and ditto everything Erin said. Nature gives the mother the short end of the straw when it comes to bf-ing - you may be at death's door, but priority is still given to the milk composition.

Hope you're over the worst and can get some rest.
Kx

[Jocasta]

I've had two sickness bugs since Mae was born - one really bad one like you describe.  Mae seemed to nurse for longer (although not more frequently) for 48hrs after I started keeping food down again...

HTH

[mumto5cuddlebugs]

Thanks for the advice. Jem is still feeding more often but the health visitor weighed him this morning and he is 11.5lbs so i don't need to worry!

[Jocasta]

Way to go you!!!!