Help! I’m always tired and hungry…

[Solsticethefloatinghome]

My son is 12 weeks old and is EBF. He’s sleeping from about 21.00 until 03.30 or sometimes he makes it until 05.00 before he wakes up to be fed so I am getting a good amount of sleep at the moment but I still feel absolutely exhausted. I feel like the sleep is just never enough. I’m eating what I think is enough and drinking enough but I just can’t seem to ever get enough sleep. I’m also always hungry. I feel like I’m never full up.
Maybe I’m lacking in something or is it really that breastfeeding is that tiring?
I’m pretty sure I’m making up enough calories and I have a good milk supply. I know motherhood is exhausting but I feel like I should feel better than I do with the amount of sleep I’m getting.
Any advice? Any tips? Or is it really just that exhausting? Anyone else feel similar?

Re the hunger, I have never been hungrier in my life than when I was breastfeeding. I ate loads and still ended up being a stone under my pre pregnancy weight by the time my DS was 6 months old. Sadly nearly 18 years on the weight has not stayed off.

Exhaustion and hunger. Yes, that sounds like you’re pregnant or have a baby.

It's both.

This is an exhausting time

Yes that's having a baby and breastfeeding, currently at 9 months

I take a bottle of water, hot herbal drink and a snack up to bed with me, and leave a portion of dinner for me to have when I come downstairs hungry around 1-3am. Having a full stomach seems to help me get back to sleep better as well. Generally eating higher protein, iron and fibre rich meals. I also carried on taking supplements, a women's multi and magnesium again for sleep.

The hunger reduced since we started weening around 6-7 months and I've since started to lose weight and change shape

Thank goodness I’m not the only one who saves dinner and eats it at 3am! EBF is hard but the thought of weaning makes me sad. I can’t believe he’s already 12 weeks. The time goes so fast! 🥹

Hopefully just the latter for now 😂

I love breastfeeding but it definitely takes a toll on my body. Always thirsty too especially with the warm weather lately and it’s so hard to stay on top of eating and drinking when I’m so busy with my son and keeping him clean and fed and napped etc sometimes there are days when I actually probably don’t eat or drink enough.

Your iron levels could be low? Or it could just be the exhausting newborn stage! Well done for all you are doing to take care of your baby ❤️

Thank you ❤️❤️ I’m thinking iron may be the cause along with the perfect storm of having a young baby and not eating enough of the right foods and light sleep. It’s just hard work isn’t it 😵‍💫😵‍💫

My DD is almost 10 weeks and I’m feeling the exact same, so don’t worry! I’m sat here right now with her on my chest and my stomach rumblings are making her stir! I’m breastfeeding and I’m always hungry! I’m trying to get better at healthy snacking on top of nutritious meals (when I have the energy) - nuts, protein bars etc. but I’m 3.5 weeks into cutting out dairy (to test for intolerance) which is limiting my food choices!

I can have a solid night’s sleep and still be exhausted the next day. My DD always wants to be held/carried 🥺 which is lovely, but tiring!

I'm sure we’ll both get there! ❤️

It does. EBF is so hard on top of a new baby which already really hard, but so worth it and does get easier. Now I enjoy it and can see us continuing for a while yet

My go tos for quick good meals or snacks are

Bean salad - can of bilotti or kidney beans rinsed, mixed with sliced red onions and dressed with pumpkin oil

Tinned sardines, mackerel or tuna in sunflower or olive oil served with chopped cucumber and radishes

Oats topped with milk, ground flax seed, nuts, prunes and another fruit

Kasha (buckwheat, can make a batch and reheat) with mushrooms, eggs and pickled veggies

Then my in-laws at my request make me liver every time I go round which is once a week.

Its worth getting your thyroid levles checked. They often go a bit bonkers after childbirth and your symptoms are consistent with that. If you get a TSH test from the GP it will give some guidance.

Also its worth taking a really good multivitamin with lots of B12, iron, magnesium, calcium and Vit D. If you cant find one with everything in it, buy one and top up with individual supplements

I used to eat oatmeal and raisin cookies at 5am every day without fail in the early stages.

Keep going 💪🏻 we’ve got this! My DS is the same. Always wants to be held and he uses me for comfort a lot. We’ve decided not to give him a dummy. The cuddles are amazing but also sometimes I just need the toilet or a quick drink 😂😵‍💫