sick and milk gone

[eva026]

Hi Ladies,

I've hit a low again. Things were going pretty well and I could see us reaching 1y of nursing but we've hit a snag.
Yesterday I started feeling ill, fever cough etc and today when I woke I just had no milk. DD is trying to nurse but I can hear that she swallows maybe every 10-15 sucks and after a few min of that she just gets mad a refuses to continue. I've tried pumping but nothing is coming out, got 20ml out of both sides in a 1h pumping session. I haven't pumped in about a month after I had to return the electric pump I had borrowed and am using a manual Avent one and have a manual Medela too, neither is working, hand expressing is getting only drops out too:(
Is this just temporary and the milk will come back after I feel better or is this it for BF?

I was hoping that DD wouldn't get sick off me thanks to BFing but I don't think the amount she is getting now can't be enough. she is on frozen BM otherwise, that would not have the antibodies to protect her from this illness, would it?

[shivi]

Huge hugs Eva xxx

It could be that you may be a bit dehydrated with a fever? Or are you taking meds like sudafed, anything for sinuses or drying up mucous also can temporarily dry your milk a little...

Otherwise I would say it is a blip and keep with it as long as Milly is willing to suck/suckle then thats a good thing too.

Hugs on the illness - lots of vit c, lots and lots of fluids - warm water with honey and lemon for instance, panadol or plain ibuprom (not the zatoki version ;-) are all fine and won't alter your milk supply.

And lots and lots of rest as well if you can though probably not very easy with Milly getting more and more active I am sure xxx

[eva026]

I'm only taking apap, vit C and some herbal cough syrups.
I guess I could be dehydrated but I am trying to drink as much as possible

She is all over the place now so hard to get rest:)

I hope you are right that this is temporary, now just hoping DD wont develop a bottle preference again. She sucking a bit on the left side but totally freaks when I give her the right. She's never liked that side so I guess we'd end up feeding from one boob for the next 2 mo. 

So frustrated and angry:/

[Fiver]

Great reply from shivi, as always

I have no idea what apap is, but could either that or the herbal cough syrup maybe contain something that is having an effect, perhaps?

[eva026]

apap is paracetamol
the syrup is:
drosera, arnica montana, belladonna, cina - no idea what they are
the other is althaeae radicis - no clue either
not been taking very much of it though

[Fiver]

Honestly, I don't know what any of them are either, but it's possible

[shivi]

Sorry Eva....I've been out at a friends and only just back!
apap no problems - its panadol or paracetamol.

The herbs, I also have no idea - I know the major ones for reducing milk supply are szałwia (sage) and peppermint....others also have an effect but its been months since my cramming so I would have to check in the morning.

If you can, try and reduce your cough with honey and lemon, steam inhalations etc....

the big no-nos are the likes of sudafed, sinus meds for drying the mucous membranes etc.

Hugs and hope things improve and quickly xxx

[PaulsMom]

Wanted to send you hugs as its always stressful to have a drop in supply. 

I saw the list of ingredients in the syrup.  It may be "herbal" but I would not want to be taking belladonna (aka. Deadly nightshade).  I dont want to scare you but here is some info on belladonna
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atropa_belladonna

"Atropa belladonna or Atropa bella-donna, commonly known as Belladonna or Deadly Nightshade, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Solanaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. The foliage and berries are extremely toxic, containing tropane alkaloids. These toxins include scopolamine and hyoscyamine which cause a bizarre delirium and hallucinations,[1] and are also used as pharmaceutical anticholinergics. The drug atropine is derived from the plant."

I've studied pharmacology throughout university and I don't understand why belladonna would be in a cough syrup.  None of its effects would help to relieve cough or help to make coughs more productive.

[mama12]

I got very sick after travelling to Mexico...my LO was only 3.5 months and refused the bottle (another story!) my milk supply dropped dramatically and I got very worried. My LO was waking up several times in the night and was so cranky. I fed him every 2 - 3 hrs and I started to pump after each feed for 15-20 minutes even if nothing was coming out.  I used a manual pump as well. I drank a lot of water and tried to eat as much as body would let me... After 2 days I saw an improvement and after 3 days it was almost back to normal. So hang in there it will get better:) breastfeeding is so good for baby and believe me you can go back on track. Good luck !

And my LO didn't get sick

[Erin M]

(((hugs)))) Eva, hoping your milk comes back ASAP. 

[nona]

belladona is an anticholinergic (ie dries you out - meaning, yes, it can dry up your milk) but it is used as an antispasmodic in some cough syrups

here is a clinical pearl about anticholinergics:
Hot as a hare-  increased body temperature
Blind as a bat -  mydriasis (dilated pupils)
Dry as a bone -  dry mouth, dry eyes, decreased sweat ----> eg DRY MILK
Red as a beet- flushed face
Mad as a hatter -  delirium

not sure how much is in your cough syrup but it is passed via breastmilk too.. the amount is prob homeopathic but i would not take anymore.   

it is a very old drug not used much

anyway, stop the syrup and drink lots of fluids!

[eva026]

ok thanks for the info, I gather the other one with althaeae is ok?

[nona]

i have never heard of that one - i google it and i think the other name is marshmallow root....but i'm still not familiar.

OTC cough syrups really don't work any better than stuff like hot tea, etc anyway

good info on treating cough/cold, etc while BF
http://kellymom.com/bf/can-i-breastfeed/meds/cold-remedy/

[eva026]

i have never heard of that one - i google it and i think the other name is marshmallow root....but i'm still not familiar.

it is supposed to coat your throat or sth. The pharmacist said it is given to children too so should be ok.
Not taking any decongestants, they make me feel as high as a kite, can't function on them.

Got the Dr coming in today, got a total of 1h sleep last night, am about to cough up a lung.
DH is not a big help in the mornings but at least I get to nap a bit in the afternoon.

 

[eva026]

One more question if you don't mind Heather.
In the link you posted it says that Dextromethorphan is safe to use for coughs while BF. It that a cough suppressant? I'd usually take codeine in these situations but am hesitant to pass that along to DD.

And it mentions fenugreek tea. I already take that in tablet form, does it have to be a tea? That stuff tastes disgusting!

[shivi]

from what I've found, marshmallow root is safe during bfeeding.

Eva, if I were you, I would be using natural and/or external remedies for coughs/colds - so lots of garlic, lemon, honey etc, steam your room (with vicks if you can get it), rub vicks or amol on your back, use "banki" (suction cups) if you believe in them, hot showers for congestion (also good for milk supply if you add in massage to your breasts), saline rinses for your nose and throat etc.

I am the same with decongestants - they make me feel as though I've had 10 coffees!

huge hugs and hope its better this morning xxx

[*Ali*]

I see you are getting lots of helpful advice from many kind members here.

I just wanted to caution against taking any medications or homeopathic remedies on the advice of the internet be it here or Google. Please check with your dr about what is safe/advisable during BFing.

I hope you feel better soon.

[shivi]

Please check with your dr about what is safe/advisable during BFing.

Unfortunately, a lot of docs here in PL will say that NOTHING is safe while pg/bfeeding or will say if its not safe while pg, its not safe while bfeeding either. I had a coldsore and a pharmacist refused to sell me zovirax when she saw a 1 or 2 mth old Oscar in the pram!
Just sayin'.....but I am also of the opinion that its better to be as natural as possible, at all times...so for bad colds we head here for steam, saline/salt water inhalations and rinses, garlic, warm drinks with honey and lemon, bed and tv, chicken broth, and rubs on the chest/back.

S x

[eva026]

The Dr came and said I have some kind of virus that's going around. She confirmed I can take the syrup I asked about earlier for night time so I can get some sleep.
Milk has still not picked up:/
DD is getting madder and madder and I have just pumped/hand expressed a total of 20ml off both sides after she refused to right totally and took maybe 3 swallows of the left. Stopped taking the syrup with belladonna, so maybe it will help and I'm drinking 3l of water plus however many cups of honey/lemon water

[Fiver]

Just don't go too crazy on the water.  Drink to thirst

[eva026]

Once again BW ladies save the day. It must have been the syrup because when I stopped taking it my milk has started creeping back. Would you believe that it was prescribed by a Dr as safe while BFing?!
DD is having a proper morning feed then we muddle along with the rest of the day, when she refuses to continue BF after a few sucks I give her formula in a sippy cup to avoid bottles. My right side is a lost cause I think, she just wont drink from it at all. Shakes her head no and pushes me away. Only 2 more months to go so I guess I can do one sided feeding.
Thanks again!

[*Ali*]

Eva have you tried tricking her and holding her in the rugby/underarm hold so she thinks she is feeding from the other side?

[Fiver]

FWIW, DD gave up on wanting to feed from the left side (it's always been troublesome!) and has exclusively fed from the right for a good while now.  She started refusing the left a little later than your little girl, but it can be done

[PaulsMom]

I was essentially single sided feeding my DS from around 6 months on as he didn't like my right side.  Just made me look a bit lopsided 

[skatty]

I swore by oats to increase my milk, I don't know of there is any proof but whenever I ate them I would produce more milk!

[*Mona*]

DD is having a proper morning feed then we muddle along with the rest of the day, when she refuses to continue BF after a few sucks I give her formula in a sippy cup to avoid bottles.

Sorry to jump into your topic but that's exactly what I'm experiencing right now with dd only she's 6 weeks not almost 10 months, lol. I had mastitis [sort of two waves, fever up to 39,5 C], had to take antibiotics eventually, then dd went through a 6 weeks growth spurt but my milk supply didn't really go up :/ Right now I have a cranky, whiny baby on my hands, who feeds for maybe 5 minutes on the right breast and 2 on the left one [the one that was causing "problems"], doesn't get full so whines and yells for the whole A time, than naps for 40 minutes and is up again to nurse but again she doesn't get enough and ends up yelling.... I give her a bottle of formula before bed and that's the only moment of the day when she looks content = full.

[eva026]

Eva have you tried tricking her and holding her in the rugby/underarm hold so she thinks she is feeding from the other side?

Oh yes I have, I even twist myself so I can put my right breast into her mouth without having to move her so she doesn't catch on that something has changed. Not working unfortunately.

Sorry to jump into your topic but that's exactly what I'm experiencing right now with dd only she's 6 weeks not almost 10 months, lol. I had mastitis [sort of two waves, fever up to 39,5 C], had to take antibiotics eventually, then dd went through a 6 weeks growth spurt but my milk supply didn't really go up :/

Have you tried pumping after every feed?I've been doing that since Thursday and have seen a difference, at the start it took me 1h to get 20ml and now I just got 50ml in around 30min. If I keep keep alternating breasts with the pump It somehow flows a bit longer.
Also oatmeal, mentioned here above, and fenugreek. It's not available in Poland in pharmacies but I got mine on allegro for around 30zl I think, it's called Kozieradka pospolita. It may take a while for things to catch up, it's been 5 days of pumping after every feed here and the milk is creeeping back.

Love your DDs name by the way, that's what I wanted to call mine:)

[shivi]

Would you believe that it was prescribed by a Dr as safe while BFing?!

Yes I would, unfortunately....sadly doctors are so, so, so uninformed about bfeeding. In 7 years of study in PL it takes up at most 30 mins of their lecture time. Even when they specialise in paeds or even worse, neonatology, it takes max 2 hours of lecture time acc to the doc who headed my course - an IBCLC and paed!

[nona]

I just wanted to caution against taking any medications or homeopathic remedies on the advice of the internet be it here or Google. Please check with your dr about what is safe/advisable during BFing.

this ^ but kellymom is a good resource too.

decongestants aren't good to take either when BF.  some meds may be safe when passed to baby via BM but they can still mess with milk supply.

[Erin M]

Good update Eva.  

Monika, start another thread if you're in need of more advice, there's always a ton of helpful ladies ready to help out around here. 

[eva026]

Good update Eva.  

:-) :-) feeling much better too, DD is on a nursing strike AGAIN, number 4 or 5 if I'm counting correctly. Oh well, we got through the others we'll get through this one too. Only 2 more months to go and I think both of us will be happy to finish with BF.

[*Mona*]

Ewa - thanks great you're better and good job on nursing for so long- I'm not that patient [nursed dd1 for 3,5 months, with this one- well, we'll see]

Erin- I know, I know don't intend to hijack the thread here

[Fiver]

You can do it, Eva