Lily has been off her food for a few weeks and we've had a few random vomiting incidents, which I find really scary as she's never been a sicky baby. Everything came to a head last night when both her and my hubby were throwing up violently - obv I'm so grateful Surprise Bean and I have escaped it thus far, but it meant I only got 40mins sleep as I couldn't take my eyes off Lily, worrying she'd choke on her vomit

Anyway, sympathy campaign over. Lily seems to be keeping down bm ok (she still has 2 bfs a day), plus she's comforted by being on the boob, so I really want to give her as much bm as I possibly can. I've been eating and drinking lots to help my supply as much as possible, and she's got Diarolyte in her sippy cup to help keep her hydrated. My question is: is there any harm in putting her to the breast whenever she seems hungry, even though I suppose I only supply enough for 2 feeds a dy now?

What's the worst that can happen - I've run out by the evening? Or could I really mess my supply up doing this? Any other advice?

Thanks in advance.

aaw poor Lily! bless her, i hope she gets over it very soon.
It wont do your supply any harm to feed her as often as you want. Your body will just keep topping them back up again. Even if she's not getting loads, what she does get will help her tummy and comfort her too.
I feed diff amounts diff days, when i'm at work i only feed morn and night (i dont express) but when i'm off, she quite often has 3/4 feeds a day and my supply seems to adjust.
get well soon Lily x

Bless her, and you. It must be really hard for you all. As mmn said your supply will be fine as long as your looking after yourself (which you are) keep yourself topped up and that'll keep your (.)(.)s topped up. I'm always changing how many feeds my dd has to suit whatevers going on. I hope Lily and Mr PTB feel better soon x x

Thanks girls, that's really helpful! (and just what I wanted to hear!)

Mr PTB is all better now but Lily is still being sick, mostly at night, so we took her to an out-of-hrs doc who said she also has an ear infection which might be making it harder to fight the bug. So she's having antibiotics now.

Thanks again! Really reminds me of all the reasons I chose to breastfeed (as you say even at 11 months it's the kindest thing for her tummy).

Abby's been ill recently as well and the doc recommended breast milk above everything. He even said that any formula given should be really diluted down. Am so glad that I am still BF at 11 months - it is so useful. Am also glad that I over-expressed in the summer as it means my mum can give her BM whilst I'm at work.

Even if you don't manage to exclusively BF it is so nice to have an extra option at times.

H xx

HI
Amelia is 20 months and still BF. She has just got over Rotavirus. She was really sick for a long time. All she could keep down was my milk. On the satchets of diarolyte it said ....quote....'do not feed baby any milk except breast milk for 24 to 48 hours......

I feel like giving up BF soon but this made me realise what a wonderful thing it is. My friends little girl had the same illness at the same time and ended up in hospital for 2 nights on a drip.

The only thing \I would say PTB is that now she is back to normal my boobs got very sore as they were still making lots of milk. I had to express some off until they realised it was not needed.

BTW..did not know about suprise bean..congrats!!!!!!!!!!

d xxx

Thanks dee dee! I'm 20+1 now, can't believe where time's going! I'm sorry to hear your LO has been so poorly, it sounds horrendous.

Lily is now all better but I have made the decision to drop to one bf a day I'm not sure if it's the pregnancy or just my body telling me it's time to stop, but I'm starting to find the sensation of feeding uncomfortable and quite irritating, as as Lily doesn't seem to give a stuff whether it's boob or bottle she gets AND I'd like her to be weaned before Surprise Bean arrives in March, now seems to be the right time to start cutting back.

Makes me feel a bit sad but all being well I'll be bf full-time again from March, so if Lily is ill again she too can benefit!