Is bf making ill and run down?

[sunnysunchild]

Oh please help! I am so sick of feeling ill :( . DD is 7weeks and Ebf. Right now I have awful sinusitis with pain and a cough and cold.
I have been ill and run down with colds etc constantly since shes was born.

Seems I can't take even a lemsip to make me feel better. She is permanently attached to my boob, wont be put down. I have 2 other kids to look after, but feel at such a low ebb Im contemplating giving up bf. But really dont want that. sorry for whinging..
Should I be taking vitamins or something?
urgh

I dout it's Bf causing the problem, but no harm in taking a multivitmine if you feel it will help.

It seem's to be the time of year, my two have had endless colds recently I've not been quit so bad this year but have been taking a cold preventative nasale spray (it's boot's own cold deffences you can take it while BF). I felt like I need to try something as had a terrable winnter last year.

Doubt if its the bfing too. You have been pg and given birth and are probably sleep deprived too, all of which will make you feel run down.

Have you got someone to have the other two so that you can take yourself off to bed with the baby for a bit?

Poor you. Agree that it's probably sleep deprivation and recovering from pregnancy and birth!

I'm bf-ing and when I have a horrible cold I have hot water with lots of fresh lemon juice and honey, and paracetamol.

I went to Boots recently about in tears with congestion etc, it seems some of the legislation/guidelines have changed and I was allowed OTC cold and flu type stuff, it's worth checking!

Are you trying to eat and drink plenty? Do you have any help around the house and with your other two?
I'm not feeling run down but I'm lucky enough to have lots of help at the moment. I may be wrong but I feel that getting lots of help and eating well is pretty essential at least in the first few weeks to survive bf.

Well, its been half term this week, which hasnt helped much. No family nearby and its been hard . But dh home for weekend now. Ive Been trying to inhale some steam tonight to try and clear my sinuses, but they are totally blocked with yellow mucus :( If Im not better by monday I think il need some antibiotics. Its really getting me down though.

It could be breast feeding, they do take all the good stuff. I had tonsillitis, followed by bladder infections, followed by mastitis, all repeated and was constantly on antibiotics. In the 5 months since stopping I haven't had antibiotics once. However, breast feeding is such a wonderful thing, I miss it deeply. I wish I had persevered and just taken a little more time to look after myself. Eat well, take some vitamins and grab as much sleep as possible (I know this is easier said than done). Good luck

They did a study as to whether breastfeeding or bottle feeding mums were more tired.... they scored equal.

Babies make you tired, and therefore vulnerable to illnesses.

Take multi vitamens, put on TV with snacks, lay on couch (or bed with baby).

Or even better, DH take other kids out ALL DAY and you stay in bed with baby.

Hope you're feeling better soon.

Steam sounds like a good idea, it might be better if you put a couple of menthol crystals in the water, these should be readily available from any Chemist.

Hope you do manage to get some time in bed with LO today and get some more sleep.

Are you eating enough protein? I felt similar to you OP. Now I eat more protein and a bf multi vitamin every day and I feel LOADS better .

You sound like me! I've got a cold on the back of flu! I take multi vitamins so I'm guessing it's a combination of sleep deprivation with looking after other dc and trying to keep sane by attempting to do everything! I physically can't do much these days as I'm always so tired! Gets me down as I was nothing like this before dd3 came along!! Hang on in there as bf does become easier!

I was the same, I think it's because you are tired and more prone to catch nasty bugs. Plus, my diet used to be awful. You need to eat plenty of nutricious food-it costs you about 500 kcal a day to BF!