Breastfeeding is it making me over tired and should I stop

[michie40]

My dd2 is 3months and I have had no problem breastfeeding from the start. Recently however I am feeling really tired (well exhausted really) and very tearful. I wondered if it was down to breastfeeding a lot. I know it could be a number of things as I have a 2yr old as well and don't get alot of time to myself. I just wonderd if anyone had expreienced anything similiar and found that when they gave up BF it got better.
Thanks

IT's not likely to be the breastfeeding that's causing the tiredness. Having breastfed and bottlefed, IMO breastfeeding is easier. If you need a break then it's fine to ask someone to give a bottle from time to time, ebm or f. The best time IMO is the first night feed - around 10pm-1am - because that means you can get a solid 4-6h sleep before coming on duty again.

How are you sleeping - how's dd2 sleeping?
Are you able to take time for yourself to rest and think your own thoughts, rather than toddler-thoughts?
Are you eating properly?
Do you take a vitamin and mineral supplement?

3 months is still early days. I was a lot more exhausted second time round but I think 3 months is probably the worst - the novelty of night feeds has worn off and you may find you're getting less help.
Are you eating well?

I agree. For the first month of two, the adrenalin is flowing and novelty factor buoys you up, then that wears off and it seems like drudgery. How often is your dd2 feeding? Is there anyway you could express so your dh can do one night feed whilst you get some sleep? Or use formula if you're happy to do that?

Thanks for all your ideas. The strange thing is dd2 is sleeping through the night from about 9pm until 5.30ish. Pretty sure I am not pregnant, we have been very careful.
I think prettycandles idea about lacking in vitamins and minerals is a good idea - what are you allowed to take when breastfeeding?
Thanks for everyones help.

You could take a pregnancy vit supplement like pregnacare - it's designed for bf mums as well.

I'd second the eating well advice. I used to have a small snack every time I fed dd, and a big glass of water too - bf can make you dehydrated if you don't replace the lost fluids - I found I drank about twice as much water as usual.

Also think most parents of a 3-month old and a 2 year old are bound to be very tired! So important to look after yourself.

Hope it gets better soon.

The simplest thing is to buy a supplement aimed at pre-natal/ost-natal women. Pregnacare is suitable. Or you may want to take a general supplement with a wider range of nutrients. I wouldn't take anything that provides over 100% of the recommended daily intake without a nutrtionist's advice.

Only beware that sometimes the iron in the supplement can constipate a breastfed baby - this happened to ds2 when I was taking an iron supplement which didn't constipate me and had not constipated dd (I took the same supplement with both babies). But you'll see it very quickly if it happens and can just stop taking the supplement and swithc to another.