anyone elses immune system gone rubbish since having kids?

[bohemianbint]

I have two boys, one 2.5 and one 5 months, and it feels like I am permanently ill! Currently have a chest infection, after 6 weeks of a cold.

What's that all about?!

Yeah, and got rotten teeth now too !

Oh god. I really should go to the dentists...

Well, lack of sleep will knock the immune system sideways; coupled with your older one bringing non stop germs back from toddler or playgroup, you are looking at about another couple of years of this I'm afraid (from memory). Also there is a nasty thing going around at the moment, that seems to last for weeks. Starts like a cold for about ten days, then progresses into the ears and sinuses, before finally settling on the chest for a while. I've had it for a month, and I'm not even sleep deprived. Hang in there, it gets better.

You're tired, it's winter, you gave birth recently, you're not eating properly (I bet ), small children collect bugs like nobody's business ...

It will get better.

Yes, I had this. Absolutely dreadful. Gave birth in August. Got better by January.

Just before birth I believe you literally "donate" quite a few of your antibodies across the placenta to the baby, so even without the sleeplessness your immunity is compromised.

How are your nails? Mine did that thing where the growth turned a completely different colour - no nutrients getting in there.

Take whatever vitamin supplement are appropriate if you are breastfeeding.

Yes, although by now age may also be a factor.

Yes, I have never had so many colds etc as I have in the 5 years since I had DD1. My sick record at work used to be immaculate, it's not good at all these days!

I long for a good nights sleep and keep telling myself that I'll get better once I am getting more sleep, because no amount of vitamins etc seems to make the slightlest bit of difference!!

I never had a fab immune system, but since DD was born it has gone to absolute shit. I bf for 9 months and it was fine, then, probably coinciding with nursery and stopping bf DD got walloped, so did I, I have been permantly sick with throat infections, chest infections, sinus infections and other non-specified viral stuff, its insane. I have been feeling quite well since 19 December (I remember the day I started to feel ok again exactly, a few days after antibiotics for bronchitis and sinus infection). I am waiting for the next thing to come along with trepidation as I will get a formal telling off at work if I take any more time off sick before may

oh, and DD is 2.5 now so similar to your oldest.

Oh and, sorry another thing...the last bug I had...lasted 8 weeks before gp diagnosed bronchitis - it started as a cold/but, developed and beame a cough that last for weeks and weeks and several trips to gp before I could no longer breathe well (and about to go on a plane journey). I broke down in the surgery as so sick of being ill.

I really hope you get better soon love.

yes I had this too. Actually it was OK when dd was a baby, it all went pear shaped when she started nursery! I got loads of colds and chest infections. My friend said the same!
Never got ill much before. It does settle down though - after the first year in nursery it got better and since dd started school, we've not been ill hardly at all. (touch wood)...