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Expert Q&A

	By Ann Calandro BSN, RNC, IBCLC Lactation Consultant

My six-month-old son and I have been sick for the last couple of weeks -- first it was with pneumonia, now it is with very bad allergies. We have always had a wonderful nursing relationship, but the in the last week I have felt like my supply is dropping. I took Benadryl for a couple of days and Dimetapp a couple of times to help with the allergies. When I pump, I used to get 2-4 ounces, now the best that I can get is c ounce. I am drinking plenty of water and eating oatmeal daily since I have noticed in the past this helps with my supply. What can I do to help it further? My breasts do not even feel full at all. Thank you for your help.

It sounds like your illnesses have perhaps caused a slight drop in your milk supply. This can happen if you get dehydrated or if the baby has decreased feedings due to not feeling well. You are doing the right thing to keep yourself well hydrated and to continue to eat well. Oatmeal has been one of the foods that some mothers find helps their supply to pick up.

It is important to assess whether or not your supply has dropped enough to impact your baby's nutrition. Is he still wetting lots of clear urine, and still having soft bowel movements? Is he eating a good bit of other foods, such as cereal, fruit, or other weaning foods? If he has decreased nursing and increased solid foods, this can also impact your milk supply. Are the two of you napping whenever you get a chance?

If he is stuffy, are you feeding him with his head upright (like in the football hold) so that he can breathe easier? Stuffy babies frequently like short, frequent feedings. If he continues to nurse frequently, your supply should pick up after a few days of frequent feeds.

You might want to talk to your physician or a board certified lactation consultant about some herbal preparations that may be helpful to you as well. If your baby is not interested in more nursings, you can do more pumping to help increase your supply. Nursing the baby more often is much cozier though!

Hopefully you will both be feeling better soon!

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