Ways to boost immune system - scared to bf and get more run down...

[Umlellala]

Hello, wise mumsnetters - hoping you can help me.

Currently 6mths preg and planning to bf. I bf dd (now 23mths) for 3 weeks (mixed) and had no probs with the actual feeding but did feel v run-down and tired and so stopped after 3 weeks as I felt I wanted my body back (wanted to wear underwired bras and to leak everywhere and not feel exhausted and preg anymore).

Anyway, have finally realised that I need a plan to support me in bf longer this time. The ease of bf is def a plus point (ie it's always there!) and I intend to co-sleep to get as much sleep as is possible with a wayward toddler and a newborn .

Have become more 'hippy' (for want of a better word) so think I will cope with the sacrifice of leaking everywhere (and maybe non-underwired bras yuk ). I have Ulcerative Colitis which makes me run-down at the best of times, have low blood pressure and basically have a shit immune system which means I get every cold going and styes and boils when really run down and not sleeping. Not fun - and doctor just says well that's cos of the colitis/not sleeping etc. Any ideas on what I can do to boost the immune system cos I think bf is gonna take more out of me? I do eat a good diet as far as I know....

Anyway, thanks in advance for any help! Would be great to have a bit more of a plan cos the ff route will be too easy (done it all before y'see) and dh will just want me to be happy so will prob encourage ff cos he thinks it will make me happy iykwim.

[Umlellala]

that should obviously read 'wanted not to leak everywhere...'

[Lyra75]

Hi there, I know it's different for everyone, but I found I was the healthiest I've been in a long time for the six months I was feeding DS. I have chronic respiratory problems with a rubbishy immune system - and usually get bad infections on at least a monthly basis. Like you my symptoms are usually much worse when i've not slept. But I found I was well for the end of pregnancy and first six months of feeding. I only started to get poorly (3 bugs in 6 wks grrrrr) when DS started on solids and so has decreased the quantity of his milk. This also coincided with periods coming back, so it seems for me the preg and bf hormones boosted my immune system rather than drained it. I have heard other mums talk of the same effect.

I'm now having to take steps to try to cut down on infections - what's worked for us - lots of naps, co-sleeping, vitamins, keeping up with my fluids, eating healthy foods a little and often, and keeping breast feeding!

Good luck with whatever you decide .

[taliac]

I'm finding that bfing DD2 actually helps my energy levels when parenting a toddler and a new baby because you sit down instead of running around after the toddler all day! Plus when you know that you are bfing, you do pay more attention to diet, hydration levels etc. What else? Oh yes, night feeds easier when you don't have to faff with bottles, esp if you're co sleeping.

Re underwired bras - think I read somewhere on here that after the first 3 months when the milk supply settles down, not only do you leak less but its ok to wear underwired bras again? I'm sure someone who knows will be along shortly..

[Martha200]

Ooo.. interesting you say that Lyra, have been feeling quite well myself since BF (despite crappy sore nipples at the start etc) but Umlellala only advice I can offer is to rest when you can (hoho I hear you say, as I know you have another child too) but forget the cleaning for a bit.. can DH help in that bit or cook for you.. you Bfed for 3 weeks, think it took me 6 weeks to start to feel vaguely human again so remember if you really want to BF for longer keep telling yourself it should get better! (I say should, because at 10 wks I have a love/hate r/ship when it comes to BF but am still at it.. and am hopefully about to start donating to a milk bank too, so it can't all be bad!)

You may have good days and not so good days (be realistic) but take each day as a day and they soon can turn into weeks.. and finally come to this area for lots of support and advice! I swear DS2 owes a bunch of strangers his thanks for still being BF to this day.. there are so many times I have considered throwing it in, but haven't.. MNetters can help you through or offer kind words when you need it

[Sabire]

My presription: a course of acupuncture, prebiotic supplements, a good multivitamin, 8 portions of fruit and veg a day, include nuts, seeds and oily fish in your diet, one hour of being outdoors every day, and half an hour of light exercise (ie a brisk walk) every day.

[Holymoly321]

what supplements can we take sabire? I'm still bfing 4 mth old ds2 and feel shattered. Admittedly not getting the best diet either because I also have a very active 2 year old DS1 to deal with every day so would welcome some supplementary help...

[FrannyandZooey]

Oh hello Umlellala! Have been meaning to email and say thank you very much

Kiki superfood and elderberry extract are both superb for the immune system and safe to take while bf or while pg

Fresh fruit and vegetable juices are also worth considering - do you have a juicer?

[maxbear]

I felt rubbish for the first two weeks after giving birth, but then ok for the next 10 months of bf. You might have just coincidentally started to feel better from the birth at the same time as giving up bf. I don't think I felt any more tired than usual while bf. The only thing I have noticed since stopping is that I have less appetite.

[Umlellala]

Thanks everyone! I think just coming on here and saying I intend to really give it a proper go this time will help. Three weeks sounds so rubbish written down but it felt like AGES (when it is 24/7!). Was lucky too in that, the actual latching etc was fine. I bf her all night the first night after she was born (is a fab memory and really bonded us I think ). Think dh didn't help in that he was keen for me to ff cos he thought it would help. He knows how much I want to bf this time though.

Maxbear you are prob right about it not being so much to do with bf and more to do with general recovery - it was just one more thing to think about. Was still v run-down and unwell even after stopping bf though. So all the advice re supplements and your prescription, Sabire, sounds good - thanks!

FrannyandZooey - you'll get another little package in post soon - found a lightbulb that goes with it I think. Oops. Thanks again for the books.

Thanks all of you for your support - will def be using Mumsnet to keep going... Might not even be a problem anyway it seems.

(PS how can you not do 30mins of exercise a day with a toddler?! )

[FrannyandZooey]

Umlella I cannot find your email address so will have to say a proper thank you on here instead. It was very exciting to receive it and I must admit ds and I couldn't initially work out how to use it so I was going to ask dp to have a look at the weekend. We are very intrigued by it and I think its very pretty, thank you.

Thanks for returning the books and taking good care of them!