Is this just mum life?

[IHaveAnOutie]

I'm not sure if I'm asking for reassurance, magic answers or miracle cures... but I'm sick and tired of getting ill, and even when supposedly well, just feeling tired, with no real get-up-and-go, no matter how much sleep I get.
I have two children under 3, now both at nursery. I work 3 days a week in a relatively stress-free job and have a supportive DH by my side.
My youngest especially, seems to pick up any little germ that crosses her path, then kindly brings it home to me! I keep getting knocked sideways with colds and sick bugs. I thought she was meant to be the one building up her immune system, shouldn't mine have already been built?!
I don't eat unhealthily, but I could definitely do with eating more fruit, I'm sure. I used to eat/drink so much fruit and water before having children, but now it seems like such a chore, I don't know why!
I take a Berocca every day, but should I be taking more vitamins? Does echinacea work? What about St. John's Wort? I don't think I'm depressed, but I'm normally such an upbeat positive person, but really feel like I've lost my mojo (!) recently. Please help!

When mine were at nursery I seem to pick up all sorts of random bugs.

Look into vitamin D - most people dont get enough in the winter. I take it most days - when i remember and i dont get so tired/ run down as i used to.

You’re currently being exposed to way more bugs than usual because children are basically germ factories so not unusual you’re catching lots.
That said, it would be worth getting checked for anaemia. That will sap your energy and your immune system.
Supplements wise try vit c, d and zinc (with copper). There’s a good general supplement by cytoplan called immunovite
You can’t really beat a better diet and more sleep though... the two things being a mum seem to rob you of!

Ah you poor thing, take a squeeze

Bugs and illness are unfortunately part and parcel of little ones. It's not as if we can stick them in a room like you can a husband.

Vitamins won't hurt, what you don't need you just pee out I think. I also do a daily liquid iron for a bottle when I'm feeling sluggish and tired. Usually picks me up.

If you have more days feeling blue or stop getting joy out of life it might be worth seeing your gp though.

Thank you for your responses (and squeezes), I'll look into them. Could definitely do with some more vitamin D, maybe I just need a holiday in the sun! :-)

I was definitely the sickest I've been for years when DS was 4 and DD was 1. They were both in daycare and I spent the entire autumn /winter with various coughs, colds, sinus infections etc. Had tonsillitis and it honestly floored me. Really rough.

It's so tough isn't it. I feel like it brings on another level of mum guilt too. Feel so exhausted when I get ill that I just want to lie on sofa and do nothing, so we end up watching hours of rubbish TV (in PJs, snacking!!).