Need more energy while breastfeeding

[Petunia]

I breastfeed my only baby, who is 6 months old. I also have him on solid foods-fruits, veggies. I've had a major problem w/severely low energy, to the extent I'm practically bedridden (at times). I recently had a full blood test (check-up), which came out fine (no problems). I've been about 70% raw, and my husband is a total meat-and-potatoes man. B/c I'm so tired all of the time, I don't even have much of an appetite, ever; I eat plenty of salads and nuts, have a green juice several days a week, and take two multi-vitamins a day (suggested by my doctor). Any suggestions on what to ingest that's quick and will boost my energy level? By the way, I've also been on Rogaine for a couple of weeks (doctor recommended), due to hair loss, which is, I found out, a result of having a baby.

[Petunia]

I should just add that, after feeding my baby, my husband (w/the SAD diet), and doing housework, I don't have much time or energy left over for myself, which is the reason for my needing raw foods that are very quick to eat. I'm sure some of you stay-at-home moms can relate!

[4forme]

Hi Petunia!
Sorry I didn't respond earlier, have been away for the holidays.
Anyways, I am b'feeding my 13 mo old, and suffer from similar things as you describe. Some of the things that helps me often are green lemonade (juice celery, romaine, apple, and lemon), green smoothies, lots of nuts, and my supplements.
But, I cannot respond without mentioning something. It really seems as if you might have an imbalance in your endocrine system, specifically your adrenal glands. Adrenal Fatigue will lead you to unrelenting fatigue, hairloss, amongst other things. There are a few simple tests you can do at home to see if it is possible. Also, do a google search, and you will find more info on it. I was diagnosed with it after my last baby, and since getting on the right supps. and then the raw lifestyle, my life is so much better! I cannot wait to be fully healed though.
Just a thought.
Hope you have some more energy soon. Blessings and hugs, wendy

[herbalgirl]

Hi, there! I see how old your baby is (6m.) I am exclusively breastfeeding my daughter, who is almost 5m., and I have 3 other children 5 and under at home.

My first thought was: is your daughter nursing more right now? They tend to go through a growth spurt about this time and end up eating more, which can drain mama's energy if you aren't taking care of yourself. You may find you need to take a short nap during the day for a while.

I would also say avocadoes are great for energy!! Add a half of one to each green smoothie and there is a great boost for you.

Wishing you the best!

[Zaphirah]

I'm not a nursing mom (never was) but I have had 4 dc and do wrestle with that kind debilitating low energy. I too had blood work that came back fine. ! have been drinking 40 oz of green smoothie a day and today Day 3 I have had more energy than I had 10 years ago. I don't know if that will help, but I thought it might be worth mentioning...hth

[justinesmith]

I second 4ForMe ~ ADRENALS, ADRENALS, ADRENALS!!! I just thought I was crazy because there were days when I really couldn't expend the energy to brush my teeth. After a TON of research, I learned about adrenal fatigue (most dr.s know nothing about this and the tests only test for Addison's or Cushings and no where in between). I also second the green smoothie recommendation. Wheatgrass too if you can get some. Good luck ~ I know how hard it can be..... :)

[Kitty]

I am not breastfeeding yet but I am in my 3rd trimester which has been tiring. I noticed that coconut oil is helping me with energy. I don't know if its mental or for real but I take about 3 tablespoons a day, one when I wake up, and then if I feel tired I take more, and it seems to help a whole lot.

[jacsam]

Doing something to strengthen your adrenals really sounds like a good idea because you should expect to be tired but not exhausted all the time, at least to the point that your describing. I was always tired with my babies until they started sleeping all the way through the night, which seemed to happen around the one year mark. Once I got a full nights sleep without being interrupted it seemed like my fatigue would just disappear. But you sound like your fatigue is more than just a lack of good rest.

[vata]

Remember also that your body releases oxytocin when you nurse, calming both you and tha baby, sometimes a little too much!

[Petunia]

Thanks guys for your wonderful support and insight! That is interesting about the adrenals! Since I last wrote, I decided to back to 100% raw (which is no longer bothering my son's tummy), and my energy problem no longer exists! Hallelujah! I noticed how right you guys are about the green smoothies (I do a juice, w/kale, lettuce, an apple, lemon, and ginger)...it's such a great boost! I just have to motivate myself in the mornings to do it, as I'm not a morning person, and will cave into a cup of coffee instead (which, I guess wouldn't make me 100% raw). However, if I have fruit in the mornings, I also get an energy boost. Oh, good news regarding hair loss....I got a haircut, to chin length, and the hair is no longer falling out! Now, this coincided w/the fact that I'd been doing Rogaine (I know, yuck!) for six weeks, which is when it's supposed to show effects. I've got an appt. w/a dermatologist, and will mention an adrenal test, esp. b/c I want to get OFF the Rogaine-I hate chemicals, medicines, etc. Thanks again!!

[Tiffany]

Petunia so glad to hear your energy has come back! I was experiencing pretty bad hair loss after the birth of my son, but it stopped on its own and now my hair is growing back just fine. He is 8 months old and I have been raw during his infancy. I never went to the doctor for it because I had read that the hair loss normal due to hormones, etc. Its been a pain for me because it was really falling out in chunks, but now is fine that the hormones have leveled out. Of course doctors won't hesitate to put you on drugs for just about anything, no matter how normal the condition is. Good luck!

[Suz58]

I just found this post and would have suggested going for more raw which is what I see you've done. Its easy to blame problems of the 75% raw when its more likely to be the 25% cooked thats tiring you out.
I am Bfeeding my 4 month ol daughter on a not high enough raw diet. So far hair loss hasn't come in but with my last two children I lost hair untill my periods started again at 6 and 10 months. So I guess its hormonal.

[FiddleMama]

Hi! I'm nursing my 5 month old and transitioning to high raw. I was going to pipe up with my recommendations (avocados are great for energy, the hair loss is sooooooooo common 4-6 months post partum) but it sounds like everything is going well now! Great news. :-)

Hugs from one nursing mama to another... :D

[coco]

why in the world would your doctor prescribe rogaine for post pregnancy hair loss? my goodness! it levels out on it's own, no need to take drugs for it. i lost lots of hair after both babies, just a shorter hair cut and a couple of months of a tangled mess in the hair brush and that was it.

as for energy, i second the post about coconut oil. it is so important to get enough essential fatty acids. they are directly related to mood and the baby's brain development, if you aren't eating enough your stores of it will be severely depleated as it all goes into your milk. i take supplements of it while i'm nursing as well as eating a fair amount of flax seed oil and fresh ground flax seeds balanced out with olive oil (very important to balance the 3:6 ratio) and i sprinkle hemp seeds on everything too. i do eat some coconut oil and some nuts and seeds as well.

one more trick if you aren't already is to sleep when the baby sleeps. i know it seems like a terrific time to wash dishes and fold laundry but the dishes and clothes aren't going anywhere. baby is happy to lay on the rug next to me when i fold clothes, she thinks it's a fine game! dishes, oh well, the kitchen stays messy at my place.