Does every parent feel this (physically)?

Have you had your iron levels checked? I was anaemic a few years ago (pre-kids thank god) and spent most of the day in bed. Not sleeping, just lying there. Literally didn’t have the energy move. When I went to the GP he told me my iron levels were so low I shouldn’t be alive 😬 got put on iron pills and it completely changed my life. Started taking better care of myself and have been fine ever since. Get them checked!

This isn’t normal and whether it’s triggered by a virus or another condition, it needs taking seriously. Energy doesn’t always beget energy (e.g. many with long covid have made themselves worse by trying to push through too much on days when they have a bit more energy). Hope you manage to find and address the cause. Don’t be fobbed off by things like ‘life is tiring with young kids’ - you know your own body.

Burnout I think, it’s like when you go on holiday and you get sick pretty much immediately. When DD started nursery when they reopened after COVID I would have a shower and go back to bed until it was time to pick her up.

I also had my thyroid checked and was normal. So have come to the conclusion I'm just naturally hairy and prone to tiredness.

This might sound counterintuitive but what i find really helps with my low energy levels is hard core exercise. Since I started doing lunchtime gym and coached swim sessions I've been feeling sort of revitalised. I've got just the one DC, but I'm a lone parent working and doing a remote MA, so I find myself pushing through the fatigue at around 9 pm to get all the housework/writing done.

I feel.like this but I have 4 kids, 3 older ones all SEN and a 4 month old baby. And I'm 43...

I haven't read replies so probably repeating what others have said , please go back to your gp , have you had your thyroid checked ?

Yes but I do have a no thyroid problem now and have in 3 under 3 is exhausting anyhow but feeling like I've hit a brick wall several times a day with thick tiredness feeling is my norm, the little ones know when mummy says I need 10mins to let me lie on sofa for a quick nap while they play. Some days I have to drag myself around, brain foggy, occasionally physically sick as the tiredness overwhelm me but hey what can I do. On days they go to my parents I can sleep 18 hours straight but it never improves things

Also recommend Mind Your Body by Nicole J Sachs. It's on the same lines as the above but with practical exercises. I'm only on day 3 so can't tell you if it works.

Could exhaustion, depression and boredom be causing this? Do you enjoy parenting small kids? I didn’t and felt like you.

What were your b12 levels, and were you taking supplements at all (even just once) in the 4 months prior to the blood test? You sound exactly like I did when my B12 (and iron, folate and vitamin D) levels were through the floor. Getting on top of those gave me my life back.

This is my experience of sabbaticals and long holidays! I crash and normally get sick because the adrenaline is gone and I've got a while year off sleep to catch up on. Hopefully you'll be better in a few days.

You need to start eating - you can't expect to function properly when you're not fuelling your body.

Chronic fatigue can be a sign of depression.
I’m depressed now - I’m able to get up (actually I find it hard to get more than four or give hours sleep) but I am totally unmotivated to do hardly anything. I just do the basics. A friend though, when she is depressed, sounded more like you. Young kids and can hardly function and sleeps for hours. Have you discussed this possibility? You don’t have to feel sad to be depressed.

This was my experience. Turns out I've got several chronic health conditions which have fatigue as a symptom. This was after years of "fine" bloodwork and missed low vitamin D.

Get back to to GP and see if they can investigate more? You might find keeping a record or activity, sleep and symptoms helps.

I really had to emphasise the impact to quality of life to get heard.

I’m like this (bloods also normal), but I am on antidepressants and for me it’s part side effects, part depression and probably part peri at this stage.
I have sort of always been like this. I used to come home from school and get straight into bed.
If it’s something new for you, I’d keep pushing the GP to help find out what’s causing it.

I'm awaiting an ADHD assessment and I go through stages of being too exhausted to do anything more than the basics.

I left my job during COVID as I completely burnt out from trying to work and look after my then 2yo at the same time, and I don't think I've really recovered from it since tbh. I've worked part-time at a lower level since then, then DC2 arrived and DH has constantly been working away these past few years, leaving me doing everything at home. Although I'd like to give more to my job and get back to progressing in the same way I was pre-Covid, I just don't have it in me. The house is a complete tip, the kids are lovely but sap all my energy, I get zero time to do anything for me and, although I don't think I'm physically exhausted, I'm so mentally drained that it often manifests itself in that way.

Obviously I'm not saying you have ADHD but this is my experience.

I have thyroid problems and can be exhausted at times, but not to the extent you are describing.

I’d definitely keep pushing for more tests.
If everything looks good physically, maybe you are depressed? I am sorry you had a rough time postpartum and hope you feel better soon x

I don't think that is normal. I have a 4 year old and a baby, not especially fit, and I feel a lot less exhausted than you describe. I would push your doctor for blood tests and anything else they can think of.

Not normal (assuming you are getting sleep and ,3 yr old sleeping through).

Are you pregnant?
Are you age 40+ - could be peri-menopause

Get to the doctors

Doesn't sound normal IMHO

This is how I feel when I burn out. It’s happened a couple of times in my life just endless sleeping. Maybe speak to the doctor. Take care

Could easily be the trauma. You could perhaps have a read of The Body Keeps the Score by van der Kolk and see if that resonates. Or otherwise just consider whether (because of or in addition to) the trauma you have been in a chronic state of heightened stress as it can absolutely come out in fatigue / burnout. Lots of things around about that if you do some googling. Eg long covid much more prevalent in people who were chronically stressed before they got ill.

This is not to say don't keep asking the GP for any other relevant tests etc - def do that; you don't want to miss anything medical either.

It’s my experience but I am a lone parent to 4 I barely even get up in the mornings

No its not, i have 5 kids and I'm nowhere near this tired! I would be going back to the doctors. Do try and eat more as well some quick ideas: full fat greek yogurt and berries for breakfast, a quick stir fry for dinner with frozen veg just to try and keep your body nourished it wont hurt and could help.