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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: June 13 2014 at 1:37pm | IP Logged
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Hi all! I haven't posted in a decade it seems  , but I have a question for you. I am 44 now, just had a baby about 4 or 5 weeks ago. I have had an upper respiratory virus for 2 weeks now as had baby, so a bit of sleep deprivation. (no naps allowed for moms here.  ) Anyway, sometimes after I nurse the baby, I can feel a real slump in energy. It can only be described as the baby literally sucking the energy right out of me! (like someone opening the plug on a cooler and just draining everything out of it.) This doesn't happen all the time. Definitely in the afternoons. My eating is not that great as I mainly grab peanut butter bread a few times here and there throughout the day, and then I do eat a normal dinner. I take a regular pre-natal vitamin (One A Day, nothing fancy) and that is about all. Other than maybe trying to get more sleep, can anyone explain this dramatic and sudden drop in energy after nursing? Do I need better vitamins? Perhaps I am just old and eat stupid things?   I really don't have a lot of time to take care of myself as I have a high-energy 3 year old I have to keep off of the baby all of the time, then I am trying to catch up from 2 months of semi-bedrest as far as the house being really behind, and a really difficult pregnancy illness-wise, and to top it off, trying to catch up on school we are behind in etc. My low energy is sort of messing everything up! I was trying to cook a few meals for the freezer today between nursing and taking care of baby etc. and could only make two before I had to just call it a day! That is a very poor showing from what I used to be able to pull off. Any thoughts? I feel as if I need a daily nap, but I cannot see anyway to do this at this point with the 3 year old, 4 year old etc. not napping anymore. Perhaps the older kids still at home will just have to watch him for an hour or so?
__________________
Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
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Aagot
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| Posted: June 14 2014 at 12:53am | IP Logged
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Oh please make the older kids step up so you can take a daily nap. This is crazy, you really need to rest or you will be no good to anyone. I would also take cod liver oil every day. I am sure others will give great advice too but by now you should not have to do any cooking or cleaning. The older kids can do read alouds and math games with the littles and make playdoh go for walks etc i will send up a prayer for you too
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: June 14 2014 at 5:36am | IP Logged
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Aagot wrote:
| Oh please make the older kids step up so you can take a daily nap. This is crazy, you really need to rest or you will be no good to anyone. I would also take cod liver oil every day. I am sure others will give great advice too but by now you should not have to do any cooking or cleaning. The older kids can do read alouds and math games with the littles and make playdoh go for walks etc i will send up a prayer for you too |
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Yes! My 8-10 year olds will watch the little ones. When they were little, I would nap on the couch while Thomas and his friends watched thed the little ones.
Also, your older children should be able to step up with meals. My 10 year old can make basic chicken thighs in the oven, rice, oven fries, and a salad and recently added one pot pasta to the mix (no pouring or draining a big pot of boiling water), and my 8 year old can make hot dogs. Even the five year old is learning to make sausages on the griddle for breakfast.
At 45 and with multiple pregnancies, you are probably quite depleted. Cod liver oil is great. If you can't stomach it, definitely add a D3 supplement. A good B complex is a good idea, too. Can you keep salad and chicken on hand for lunch? I am guilty of the easy snack until dinner game myself, but it is not giving you the nourishment you need! Maybe you can start making smoothies with added greens for your quick snack? Easy to drink while nursing.
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: June 14 2014 at 5:41am | IP Logged
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I just reread you post! Five weeks!! Most places outside the US pamper and take take care of mom until she it at least 6 weeks post partum. You are not recovered from the pregnancy and birth yet. You just aren't. Please be easy on yourself. 
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: June 14 2014 at 12:08pm | IP Logged
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I feel for you. I remember feeling that drain. I always had a snack when I nursed. Banana, yogurt and graham crackers was my go to. Protein, carb and a fruit. I felt so much better, and it was quick to grab. Figure out what you like and would enjoy that is quick. Everyone has one, and stock up.
I would have a family meeting, and assign tasks to the older kids. They can all take a day and entertain the younger ones so you can rest. Play in the back yard, go for a walk, etc.
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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10 Bright Stars
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| Posted: June 14 2014 at 2:12pm | IP Logged
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Yes, I have probably been doing too much. The kids do help, not as much as they should probably , but they do try. I think there is just really SO much to do in such a large family that there simply is no rest. I have been up and working for about 3 weeks now! Shoveling in laundry, bending to get stuff, which is not good after a c-section, so I am probably being stupid! I had a terrible pregnancy and then had to be on a sort of bedrest, mainly "sit rest" for the last 2 months of pregnancy, so things are just badly in need of catch up around here. I guess I should pace myself and then try to get in that afternoon nap no matter what. Some of my fondest memories are of naps with my earlier babies! I should probably make sure I get them with this baby as I am probably aging out of the whole having a baby game due to being older; you just never know, so one more good reason to take a time out for myself.
Cod liver oil: I hadn't thought about taking that. What would it be helpful for?
I have tried to improve the diet already by adding in salad and almonds..stuff like that. I was realizing yesterday that nutritious breastmilk doesn't just "happen" because it is breastmilk! I have to MAKE it, and right now, she is probably not getting milk that is good as it could be! So, thinking of it for her and from that perspective made me take MY health more seriously since we all tend to think of the kids first, so that helped me!
Speaking of baby though! She needs to nurse! LOL! Thanks for the advice though!
D3: How much supplement should I take? (i.e. how many mg.?)
__________________
Kim married to Bob (22y)
Mom of 11 blessings:
Bobby 19, David 17, Noah 14,
Mary 12, Gracie 10,
Isabelle and Sophia 8,
Gabrielle 6,
William Anthony 4, Joseph 3 and Luisa Marie - born in M
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mommy4ever
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| Posted: June 16 2014 at 9:26am | IP Logged
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I am looking at your children names and ages.
I see 5 that could be a big help.
Laundry
I would have the oldest 4 each do 2-3 loads one day a week each. That should get you all so you can function. Pair the kids up. Eldest washes with 3yo. 17yo+4yo, 14yo+6yo. Twins together. 12+10yo together. 10 yo can help the 12 yo with the laundry by folding her own, so 12yo just needs to get the washer and dryer done. That would leave you to do some of your own and the baby.
Walk them through meal making. 12+ are able to cook meals. I know they are likely reluctant(I have 3 really reluctant kids that need some life lessons) The younger(8-12 yo) are able to take over lunch. Have items that are nutritious but simple. Plan suppers that would produce some leftover that can be used for lunch. Left over chicken can be used to make wraps, chicken salad for sandwiches.
I am working on this myself. You are not alone in not requiring kids to do more. I think most of us want to do it all. But there are seasons in life, we just can't do it all. You are in one right now. I am as well, for different reasons, but regardless, I can't do it all, I'm slowly burning out. You state you feel it as well.
Let's be strong together, and get these capable kids to learn and grow, by helping out.
__________________
Mom to 4,
1 graduated June 2012
1 in Catholic school
2 homeschooled(one considering art school!)
ardently praying for a new addition to our family.
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Aagot
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| Posted: June 16 2014 at 10:32am | IP Logged
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Just getting back to this Kim.
Cod Liver Oil is great for a bunch of reasons but for you I was thinking of it as an immune booster, nerve calmer and a great nutritional boost for both you and baby.
Here is a short article about CLO
Many people recommend fermented CLO but I would just go with the least processed, non-fermented. We use Carlson's with mint and lemon flavor mixed with a small glass of Cran/raspberry juice or other strong flavored juice.
HTH
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: June 16 2014 at 2:25pm | IP Logged
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A better prenatal. I was taking a basic one.. once a day.. good quality. But I was pregnant with my 4th and only 31. I could not make it through the day without a nap (I'd lock me and all the kids into the bedroom, put on a movie for the kids and I would doze). My new midwife convinced me to try the higher doseage vitamins like the RainbowLight 6 a day.. and it was amazing the difference. I went from being unable to not fall asleep in the afternoon to not even feeling tired until bedtime.
__________________
Jodie, wife to Dave
G-18, B-17, G-15, G-14, B-13, B-11, G-9, B-7, B-5, B-4
All men who have turned out worth anything have had the chief hand in their own education.
-Sir Walter Scott
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CrunchyMom
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| Posted: June 16 2014 at 7:56pm | IP Logged
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10 Bright Stars wrote:
Yes, I have probably been doing too much. The kids do help, not as much as they should probably , but they do try. I think there is just really SO much to do in such a large family that there simply is no rest. I have been up and working for about 3 weeks now! Shoveling in laundry, bending to get stuff, which is not good after a c-section, so I am probably being stupid! I had a terrible pregnancy and then had to be on a sort of bedrest, mainly "sit rest" for the last 2 months of pregnancy, so things are just badly in need of catch up around here. I guess I should pace myself and then try to get in that afternoon nap no matter what. Some of my fondest memories are of naps with my earlier babies! I should probably make sure I get them with this baby as I am probably aging out of the whole having a baby game due to being older; you just never know, so one more good reason to take a time out for myself.
Cod liver oil: I hadn't thought about taking that. What would it be helpful for?
I have tried to improve the diet already by adding in salad and almonds..stuff like that. I was realizing yesterday that nutritious breastmilk doesn't just "happen" because it is breastmilk! I have to MAKE it, and right now, she is probably not getting milk that is good as it could be! So, thinking of it for her and from that perspective made me take MY health more seriously since we all tend to think of the kids first, so that helped me!
Speaking of baby though! She needs to nurse! LOL! Thanks for the advice though!
D3: How much supplement should I take? (i.e. how many mg.?) |
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Well, most likely, unless you spend a lot more time outisde than the average person, you are deficient in D and 3000 IU is a good starting place to build levels.
And I have had difficult pregnancies the last two times where I am not fully mobile, and it does make more more impatient about getting things back to normal! You not only have more children but havemore littles squished in the 10 and under crowd, so I don't presume to know just how much needs to be done, but I do know my 10 and 8 year olds do a great deal to help, so maybe it would be easier to task them with some responsibilities and train them to help instead of asking so much more of the older crew? My 10 year old can plan a lunch menu and grocery list and do laundry. My 5 year old sorts the laundry, though getting anyone in this house to fold it and put it away is like moving heaven and earth.
__________________
Lindsay
Five Boys(6/04) (6/06) (9/08)(3/11),(7/13), and 1 girl (5/16)
My Symphony
[URL=http://mysymphonygarden.blogspot.com/]Lost in the Cosmos[/UR
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Topic: nursing exhaustion
