Feel so ill all the time.. maybe time to try formula?

[OhWhatAPalaver]

Currently bfing dd2 who is 5.5 months. I love bfing in itself but I have never felt so ill and exhausted than when bfing. With dd1 I was in agony with joint pain for year and this time I'm having migraines, palpitations and muscle weakness. I've felt worse this time around overall even though I've not had much joint pain. I don't think it helps that I've gone pretty much vegan due to dd2's suspected dairy and egg allergies (was veggie to begin with).
All things considered I'm thinking it might be time to try her with a bit of formula. Probably with nanny care or nutramigen I guess. I've bought some supplements but not noticed much difference yet. Don't know whether to wait a bit longer but I already feel bad as I've hardly taken dd2 to any baby groups and I've felt unable to spend as much quality time with dd1 as well. Does anyone else feel this crap all the time or is it just me?

Are you sure you are eating and drinking enough (of whatever you are eating!)? Have you had your iron levels checked?

I'm absolutely ravenous all the time when I'm breastfeeding, I literally can't stuff enough in my face!

I was anaemic when I was pregnant button level was fine after I had her so stopped taking it. Maybe a good idea to get it checked again.
I'm starving constantly. Feel like I can't physically eat enough food!

Get thee to the docs and get some bloods done. Thyroid, inflammatory markers. ferritin, vitamin d, bit b12, glucose. Get a printout of the results (don't just accept them telling you they are fine, get the actual numbers.)

I've suffered with exhaustion and joint pain too while BF. There's probably not a lot you can do about the joint pain (mine was helped by osteopath but only the issues with my pelvis - the general joint pain remains and I suspect is what they call breastfeeding rheumatism here.)
The diet thing suggests you're not taking in enough of something- of course you can be a fighting fit vegan but it takes a bit more care and attention to food intake.

Thanks, I will do. They always seem to fob me off at drs so will just have to be more insistent I think!

Are you taking a b12 & iron supplement if you've gone dairy free?

I had to do the same with DS when breastfeeding & had to up the b12 in my diet as lack of it can make you exhausted.

OP I felt like this when breastfeeding my ds, nurse took one look at me when I went for a checkup and said I was dehydrated - and it was true I really wasn't making time to drink water, you need a lot more when breastfeeding, and I just wasn't prioritising it. That and the sleep deprivation, but a glass of water can't cure that unfort! Obvs if you are on top of this listen to pp's and maybe get other checks, but you have my sympathies

Not taking iron but trust started taking b 12. Last time I had my iron checked they said it was OK but that was quite a while ago now.
I do probably need to drink more water as well, sometimes I suddenly think 'oh god I've hardly drank anything all day! No wonder I'm knackered!'

I can emphasise OP, I also love breastfeeding but find it takes a lot out of me (in my case I keep losing weight and have to keep eating loads to stay a healthy weight)

I do think it should be put out there in the breastfeeding literature that breastfeeding can be hard work for the mums body and you (general you) might need to eat loads/drink loads/take a decent multivitamin to stay healthy.

I can easily drink 3 to 4 litres a day (though I'm feeding twins). I fill up a 2l bottle with cordial and water in the morning and after lunch and just make sure it's always next to me when I'm bf-ing

Good plan mermaid, thanks! I tend to drink mint or fennel tea all day so maybe I should invest in some nice juice.

Oh and I have lost tons of weight too! And feel like I've aged about ten years in six months...!