Can breastfeeding make you feel ill?

[Mishy1234]

I've been bf for nearly 3.5 years (DS1 has weaned now, but still feeding DS2 nearly 1). For the past few months I've been feeling really grotty, tired and run down. I know it's expected to feel tired with young children, but I just feel so drained. I catch every cold going and my head feels in a permanent fugg.

I want to continue to bf DS2 until at least 2y, but I feel so awful atm that I'm considering stopping earlier than that which I never thought I'd do.

Could this be due to bf? My periods haven't come back yet, so maybe my body is struggling with that?

I did feel similar (but not quite so bad) with DS1 and only really started to improve when I was about 4/5 months pregnant.

ALL advice welcome.

Oh, and all my joints/muscles are aching all the time too. Just another symptom to add to the mix!

I'm reluctant to go to the GP as I know they'll just say to give up bf which I really don't want to do.

Are you taking a good multisupplement? I'd go to the GP and insist they check you for anaemia and vitamin D deficiency, plus thyroid issues, etc before stopping feeding because of it.

Could you be anaemic? Are you eating properly?

Well it is a big drain on your body. I've been BFing and/or pregnant for just over 3.5 years and it does take it's toll.

I take a multi-vitamin, make sure I drink loads of water, eat plenty of protein and have a nap when I can!
DS2 is only 8 weeks at the moment and I would like to feed him until he is 2 like I did with DS1, so I'm in it for the long haul.

Definitely see the GP. Pain like that is another sign of vitamin D deficiency or a mild magnesium deficiency. A simple blood test can check your vitamin D status.

May be a silly question, but are you sure you're not pregnant?

Breastfeeding in itself does not make you ill.

But that doesn't mean that you are not ill, and you should go to the GP and describe your symptoms. It could be that you are anaemic and need extra iron in your diet. Or it could be a reaction to long term sleep deprivation - how much help do you get with the children?

If you stop breastfeeding, you are treating the symptoms without really finding the actual cause of the symptoms.

Thanks for all the replies.

Yes, I do take a multivitamin and also an iron supplement (can't remember the name, but it's a liquid).

I probably don't drink enough water though, so will try that. Generally my diet is pretty good, but I do need to lose weight and have found that pretty hard to do.

I'm co-sleeping with DS2, so my sleep is broken as he still feeds a few times during the night. I do get some help with DS1 being at nursery 2 days, but haven't been separated at all from DS2 as yet so haven't had any completely child free time in a long while.

I'll make an appointment with the GP. I just won't mention bf unless they ask (which they probably won't at this stage) and see what they suggest.

I very much doubt I'm pregnant, but will check just in case!