how much longer can it go on like this before I lose my milk/have to start supplementing?

[Anna's Lovey]

My six month old has been sick for three days.  He's actually quite better now; however, he's still not wetting very many diapers.  He looks fine, doesn't seem congested, nurses frequently.  was doing great this am, wetting one about every two hours then, this afternoon, didn't wet any(from about 2 pm to eight). he's playing , doesn't have a dry mouth, is not fussing.  

I'm a stressed out basket case.  What's happening here?  I HAVE milk, not a ton, but it's there when I squeeze.  He nurses for a few minutes, then loses interest, or dozes, or gets interupted my a noise(I have a toddler in the house).

How worried should I be? It seems like over the last three days, he's been going every four to six hours (eight at night) without a pee.  

Can a baby do ok like this for a little while? 

[3girls1boy]

What does his daily wet diaper output average out to per 24 hours?  Are you nursing as much as your baby will accept it?  You might want to try and nurse a lot during the night for a few days when it is quieter and he's less likely to be distracted.  Often you can get them to latch on when asleep.  It's possible that he got a little dehydrated while he was sick, and needs to fuel up again.  

Continue to nurse a lot and call your doctor is you are worried.

Also I don't think you are going to lose your milk, but you might want to observe your son for signs that he is ready to start with other foods--it is about this time that many babies are ready.

[Anna's Lovey]

thanks for responding.  ped said he has bronchiolitis. he's still sick, but doesn't have a runny nose, and he's not lethargic, so it was difficult for me to tell.  

Been nursing a lot more frequently, giving him his medication and showering him a lot, also, suctioning which doesn't seem to help all that much.  his wet diaper output is a lot better.  I'll probably try and start solids when he's feeling better. Apple juice mixed with water was recommended, but he only took a couple of spoons.  

[PatioGardener]

Originally Posted by Anna's Lovey Apple juice mixed with water was recommended, but he only took a couple of spoons.  

your milk will be much better for him than any other liquid.  most peds are unaware that breastmilk keeps babies hydrated better than anything else and fights infections too. you can give it on a spoon if he won't nurse.

hope he's feeling better soon!

nak

[Llyra]

I don't think losing your milk is all that likely, even if he goes whole days without nursing at all. At six months, lactation is very well established, and it would take a long time for you to stop producing milk. I produced for months after my kiddos stopped nursing at all. If baby nurses less energetically for awhile, you might see a dip in supply, but as soon as baby is well and nursing with enthusiasm again, the supply will rebound. So no worries on that count, at least.

[ewe+lamb]

Originally Posted by PatioGardener 

Originally Posted by Anna's Lovey Apple juice mixed with water was recommended, but he only took a couple of spoons.  

your milk will be much better for him than any other liquid.  most peds are unaware that breastmilk keeps babies hydrated better than anything else and fights infections too. you can give it on a spoon if he won't nurse.

hope he's feeling better soon!

nak

So yeah - so that, apple juice and water will dilute his intestinal flor! 

He may not have a snotty nose but bronchiolitis makes them SO tired, breathing can be quite a challenge for them, if he does seem snotty you can squirt some breastmilk up his nose to help unblock! 

[evjolin]

hi mama im in the SAME boat....bronchiolitis. he is soooo tired (which is kinda great, got my first real sleep last night in months!!!!!!!!!!!) runny/stuffy nose, wet yucky cough and horrid wheezing.

he does NOT want to nurse. he wants to suck his thumb while grasping my nipple. ouch! i try and squirt some milk in his mouth and he will sometimes nurse, but not nearly as much as usual. i am going to start pumping today. give him some milk from a sippy cup. he has been taking h2o from one. also, i too am nervous about the milk supply, so want to pump to keep it up.

curious what meds your babe is on, my doc said nothing could be done since it's a virus??? he's just on motrin for comfort. we are also doing "steam room" thing in our bathroom and running the vaporizer.

[mkpgoddess]

Forgive me for thread crashing. RE: bronchiolitis, we just did this at Christmas, combined with RSV and liquid albuterol made all the difference in the world for her. It's an asthma med and just helps open their lungs to they don't have to work so hard. Maybe ask your doc if this is an option for your LO?

[ewe+lamb]

http://newborns.stanford.edu/Breastfeeding/HandExpression.html  this is great information for pumping with hands, it's really for preemies BUT it works for all lactating mothers and so interesting also have a look at maximising milk production if you think that your supply is decreasing.

[Anna's Lovey]

thanks again for all the replies.  Baby is on Albutorol(Sp?) and doing much better.  I have found that warm showers (getting in them, not just sitting in the bathroom) are the only thing that really get the mucus out.  Also, I keep his head super elevated when he sleeps, like almost in a sitting position.  

Evjolin, I'm sorry to hear that your baby is in the same boat.  Hope he gets better soon!