How can I get more energy?

[neepsntatties]

I am so tired all the time. I have a dd who is 11 weeks and ebf and a ds who is 3. Dh is at the end of a degree so leaves in the morning for uni and isn't back until 12 at night so I am on my own.

Exercise is important to me, it helps my mood, but at the moment I can only nip out for a run very early before dh goes or do a DVD at about 9 once dd is settled. I am usually too tired at both these times.

Any tips for having more energy in general? I feel like crap.

Just the usual advice really. Good diet, plenty of water, cut down on caffine and sugar. A good multi vitamin. Try and get an early night every now and again. Do you sleep well when you get the chance?

more iron

guiness!

Poor you. It is a particularly tough age difference because your older dc probably does not have a good daily nap so the days can seem long and relentless (mine have a similar gap). What saved me was having ds1 go to a holiday scheme 2 or 3 days a week. When he was there I rested as much as I could or pootled about with ds2. In your case, if you got dc1 off your hands for a few hours, you could go for a brisk waklk or do an exercise DVD! Other than that, plenty of fresh air - whatever the weather, and socialize as much as you can

Thanks, ds has three sessions at a playgroup for a couple of hours which is a life saver. The days do feel mundane and endless though. Family are far away and I don't have many friends. Sleep is disrupted by dd but only a couple of times so could be worse. I just need to survive I suppose.

Are you able to get all three of you out for a walk every day?

Many of my friends swore by Berrocca at this stage though I haven't tried it myself.

Lots of fruit and veg and water as previous posters have said.

Windows/back door open helps too if it is vaguely warm enough.

I think boredom is a key cause of tiredness. Perhaps you could draw up a timetable of activities for you and the dc's - at that stage I aimed for one at home and one out of the home activity a day. Can you afford to join a gym with a creche? A few thoughts anyway... I really feel for you as my dh also works long hours and I remember those magical but frankly endless days well

It has been easier since the weather improved. I'm in Scotland so it's often awful! There is a gym with a crèche, I would like to join that actually. Never tried berroca so will give it a go.

I am very bad at being tired, get very grumpy. I am often bored too and fed up of the constant housework. I often get to the end day and feel like I have been a totally shit mum to ds.

I am in Scotland too neeps and it has been a tough winter on all of us so I can imagine with a new baby added to the mix it has been a challenge.

Don't do constant housework. I follow flylady and it keeps the house under control with minimal hours spent cleaning. When you are at home with the dcs it is very easy to keep redoing jobs that you would leave alone for a few days if you were getting out more. Set a routine and once it is done it is done until the next week, meal etc or you will never get "out of the bit".

Getting outside in the sunshine is really good for all of you. Obviously you need suncreams but it helps you to make vitamin D and that improves your sense of well being and energy levels.

Try to go somewhere social every day too - interactions with adults make an enormous difference to our health. Have you got a decent park near you? We spend a lot of time there and other families usually turn up. If you know families already arrange to go on picnics. Go to mother and toddlers (a thought I know but they are good for your energy levels).

It will sound odd but one of the things I have found that cures tiredness is to be busier.

Thanks, that's a good idea with housework. House always seems such a state, I will have a look at fly.

treadmill at home? But get a decent one if you're a runner. You can buy good reconditioned ones online, well worht it and give you flexibility.

I wish!! No money or space, but maybe one day. The last couple of days I have done something in the morning before Dh goes away and it is easier at that time than at night when I really am done in. It gives me more energy for the day too so hopefully I am on to something.