can i lose my supply this fast?! help!

[steph66]

so i got sick with the flu on tuesday night.DD,9 months, nursed off and on yesterday morning but then didn't really eat from about 11:30 until about 6pm. normally she eats about every two hours or so. i didn't get engorged during that whole time! in fact they felt empty. she is teething so she is not nursing long at all. she certainly is not nursing long enough for let down when she does nurse, and let down is taking FOREVER!! she is 95% ebf so she is not getting nutrition from anywhere else. i am soo frustrated and i feel like a complete a$$ because i just want to be left alone. shes so rough with me and is so clingy and i just want her to stop nursing for just a few seconds every five minutes. i was also throwing up a lot yesterday and only ate a bowl of cereal and a cracker which both got thrown up right away. i could only tolerate a few sips of water. this morning i am forcing myself to eat oatmeal and drink more liquids.
i even tried relaxing in the tub a few times hoping for a good letdown but...nothing.

so is it possible to lose supply in just one day?

[CathMac]

I suppose it's possible but I have no idea how common it is. I think you've got a good Action Plan. Oatmeal, Water, Sleep and Rest.

The best I can suggest is putting the food and water near the bed. Take the baby to bed with you and you can both nip and nap all day.

Can you get your hands on some Fenugreek?

Take Care, ~Cath

[XanaduMama]

Did you take a decongestant, by any chance? They can apparently cause serious loss of supply in some people. (See here.) I would definitely try to increase your liquid intake, if you can, and max out on fenugreek and oatmeal. Good luck!

[Aliviasmom]

Just because you did not become "engorged" does not mean you are not making milk! But certainly try oatmeal, rest, fluids, and fenugreek.

[alegna]

It will bounce back. Just do your best to take care of yourself and rest and nurse.

good luck!

-Angela

[steph66]

thanks ladies. i didn't take anything except for advil liqui gels. i know that just because i do not get engorged doesn't mean that i dont have milk. its just that it was taking FOREVER to letdown When i DID let down, which was not often. it felt like my boobs were deflated, which i have not felt the whole time i have been breastfeeding. and if she does go for more than three hours without eating i do get engorged, thats why i was worried. i am just pushing myself to drink and eat. it sucks though because i can't do too much or i will just throw it up .

[CathMac]

Just keep experimenting with whatever clear liquids you can until you find something or a combination of things that sit well.

Oh, and as the PP suggested, check the ingredients on your cold meds (perhaps at Kellymom.com) to see if they have a reputation for affecting supply or just err on the side of caution and stop taking them. Those things that affect supply (positively or negatively) are highly individualized. Perhaps it is affecting you even if it wouldn't affect the "average" nursing Mom.

Good luck, ~Cath

[steph66]

MY SUPPLY IS BACK!! YAY!!! I didn't get ahold of fenugreek but i just made sure to drink a lot and forced myself to eat. dd is nursing like a champ again! thanks ladies!

[alegna]

Great news!

-Angela

[GradysMom]

My grandmother tells this story...
She was told, incorrectly, when my mother was 10 days old that my grandfathers ship had been sunk in the pacific. She says she said she didn't believe it and excused herself up stairs to nurse her baby. When she openned her blouse her breasts had shriveled up and there was no milk. She called for her mother who came up the stairs with a bottle. And that was it - her supply was totally gone.

So yes it is possible to loose it quickly...
try herbal tea to regain supply "Nursing Mothers tea" by the Yogi tea company