Extremely wiped out after feeding

[Anonymous]

I’m a FTM EBF a young newborn. I’ve been trying to rest a lot between feedings, bloodwork is normal, and I’m eating what seems like enough but I’m so exhausted after breastfeeding. It takes like an hour each time and it completely wipes me out. Im so exhausted that I feel like I am drained and have nothing left like I just had a big workout. I’m waiting for hear back from my doctor but I want to hear if anyone else experienced this?

[Anonymous]

Are you drinking enough water? Are you sure you’re eating enough? Maybe you need to add more iron to your diet.

But…also having a newborn is exhausting. Period. It felt like I was hit by a truck sometimes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are you drinking enough water? Are you sure you’re eating enough? Maybe you need to add more iron to your diet.

But…also having a newborn is exhausting. Period. It felt like I was hit by a truck sometimes.

I’m eating about every 4 hours. My normal eating habits. I drink about 64-80oz of water a day. I feed every 2 hours for usually 1 hour at a time.

[Anonymous]

How new is your newborn?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How new is your newborn?

Just over a week old.

[Anonymous]

One hour at a time?? I’m shocked your newborn can stay awake that long. I had great nursing babies but 15-20 min was how long they nursed for.

I would say it’s a calorie issue. Pregnancy is not eating for two but breastfeeding is! Breastfeeding had higher calorie needs. Which many women find helpful in losing weight. There’s a balance between losing too much weight and losing your milk supply and losing weight slowly while breastfeeding.

Make sure you’re taking a multivitamin and your iron and vitamin d levels are good.

[Anonymous]

One week old? It’s a tiring time. I slept sooo soo much once my baby was born. Not getting 7-8 hours straight is incredibly draining. And it will be weeks until you will get that.

[Anonymous]

Yes. My oldest was like this. There was nothing wrong and she actually gained extremely well. I was frustrated by the length/frequency of feedings but it changed quickly. I remember despairing in those early days but feeling so much better after a few weeks.

Every nursing journey is different, but it gets better. Agree with the advice to make sure you’re getting enough to eat and drink. I know it’s not so easy to get enough sleep.

You will get through this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One hour at a time?? I’m shocked your newborn can stay awake that long. I had great nursing babies but 15-20 min was how long they nursed for.

I would say it’s a calorie issue. Pregnancy is not eating for two but breastfeeding is! Breastfeeding had higher calorie needs. Which many women find helpful in losing weight. There’s a balance between losing too much weight and losing your milk supply and losing weight slowly while breastfeeding.

Make sure you’re taking a multivitamin and your iron and vitamin d levels are good.

The one hour is with falling sleep. Only about 30-45 minutes is actual nursing. The pediatrician assured me this is normal for his age.

My blood work came back good. I’m still taking my prenatal and my iron supplement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you drinking enough water? Are you sure you’re eating enough? Maybe you need to add more iron to your diet.

But…also having a newborn is exhausting. Period. It felt like I was hit by a truck sometimes.

I’m eating about every 4 hours. My normal eating habits. I drink about 64-80oz of water a day. I feed every 2 hours for usually 1 hour at a time.

You’re not eating enough. Unless you’re eating a significant amount, every 4 hours is too long. You need to eat and drink every 2-3 hours. High protein, fat, and carbs. I ate enough for two grown men when I was breastfeeding. What exactly are you eating throughout the day and what are the portion sizes?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you drinking enough water? Are you sure you’re eating enough? Maybe you need to add more iron to your diet.

But…also having a newborn is exhausting. Period. It felt like I was hit by a truck sometimes.

I’m eating about every 4 hours. My normal eating habits. I drink about 64-80oz of water a day. I feed every 2 hours for usually 1 hour at a time.

You’re not eating enough. Unless you’re eating a significant amount, every 4 hours is too long. You need to eat and drink every 2-3 hours. High protein, fat, and carbs. I ate enough for two grown men when I was breastfeeding. What exactly are you eating throughout the day and what are the portion sizes?

Around 7:30am I do a protein drink and a protein bar in the morning.

Around 11:30am I do a snack plate with hard boiled eggs, cheese, crackers, dip, and fruit for lunch.

Around 3:30 I do a greek yogurt cup for a snack.

Around 7:30 I do pasta, chicken salad, or pizza for dinner.

Around 11:30 I do another protein bar.

I drink water in between. I don’t drink caffeine or any energy drinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Are you drinking enough water? Are you sure you’re eating enough? Maybe you need to add more iron to your diet.

But…also having a newborn is exhausting. Period. It felt like I was hit by a truck sometimes.

I’m eating about every 4 hours. My normal eating habits. I drink about 64-80oz of water a day. I feed every 2 hours for usually 1 hour at a time.

You’re not eating enough. Unless you’re eating a significant amount, every 4 hours is too long. You need to eat and drink every 2-3 hours. High protein, fat, and carbs. I ate enough for two grown men when I was breastfeeding. What exactly are you eating throughout the day and what are the portion sizes?

Around 7:30am I do a protein drink and a protein bar in the morning.

Around 11:30am I do a snack plate with hard boiled eggs, cheese, crackers, dip, and fruit for lunch.

Around 3:30 I do a greek yogurt cup for a snack.

Around 7:30 I do pasta, chicken salad, or pizza for dinner.

Around 11:30 I do another protein bar.

I drink water in between. I don’t drink caffeine or any energy drinks.

That’s not enough food.

[Anonymous]

You actually heed more calories for breastfeeding that for your third trimester.

Your hormones are also all over the place right now and you are still physically recovering from giving birth. Think about how you'd feel a week put from surgery or an accident then add on hormones and sleep disruption from caring for a baby.

That being said, since you are exhausted make sure someone is watching you while you nurse so you don't fall asleep on the baby.

[Anonymous]

It is absolutely normal. I found that my energy returned only after 6 weeks.

My babies were also slow eaters and it took them around 1 hour per feed. And before I could rest, they were ready to nurse again.

I was exhausted for the first 40-50 days after childbirth. Once I was completely healed, I was able to nurse without being wiped out. One thing that my caregivers made sure was that I was eating and drinking each time I was nursing. My MIL made some concoction of medicinal spices, nuts, seeds, dates, fruits, ghee and she ground it all up and that was mixed in warm milk and given to me. I was given a lot of food to help my milk supply, to heal my organs, to keep me regular and to protect me from falling ill. Also, eat your food. Make sure you are eating stews with greens and protein, lots of fruits, veggies, easy to digest grains, lots of bone broth based soups.