How To Cope Fatigue During Breastfeeding?

Motherhood is a beautiful journey that a woman embarks upon right from the time a child is conceived. This journey doesn’t come to an end after the long 9 months, but just signifies a phase of the continuing journey. Once the baby is born, a mother immediately has to nurse the child. The child latching on to the mother’s breast is just another wonderful feeling that the mother enjoys. Since then, the mother becomes the whole and sole provider of the child and has the responsibility of nourishing the child. The baby is dependent upon the mother for all his/her nutrients, demands to be fed as and when needed, be it day or night and this leaves the mother exhausted.

Breastfeeding is a beautiful thing that nature has blessed us with but it does leave a mother tired in many ways. Breastfeeding is stressful and takes away time from the mothers who require to cope up from the delivery. Fatigue is the most common complaint that new mothers have during the initial days, especially when she is solely breastfeeding.

Ways to Deal with Fatigue During Breastfeeding

If breastfeeding leaves you fatigued, you are not alone as the majority of new mothers confront this issue. Given below are the many ways, which will help you boost your energy and nurse your little one, without feeling drained out.

1. Eating Right:

   This is a no brainer. Since your child is entirely dependent upon you for nutrition, you must ensure to eat a well-balanced diet. This will not only help your child to draw the necessary nutrients from you but also help you stay active throughout the long day. Your diet should consist of proteins, which will be an energy booster for you, such as meat, fish, milk, cheese, nuts, seeds, legumes and so on. High fiber foods should be consumed more than the low fiber ones as they are slow to digest. Whole-wheat bread and pasta, brown rice, fruits, and vegetables will provide you with the needed amount of fiber. Iron-rich foods are a must such as seafood, tofu, beans, and green leafy vegetables and so on. [Read - What Foods to Eat while Breastfeeding]

2. Remain Hydrated:

   Up to 60% of the adult human body is made up of water, which gives you all the reasons to stay hydrated all the time. Motherhood can take a toll on you since you will be bombarded with a lot of tasks to nurture your child, which is why your energy levels deplete. The best way to stay energetic is to drink a lot of fluids, especially water. You will notice how thirstier you will become when breastfeeding your child, which is why you need to keep chugging on a glass of water every few intervals. You should aim to consume about 13 cups of water each day to support breast-feeding and keep yourself well-hydrated. You should avoid any sort of flavored drinks and restrict yourself only to water to keep hydration levels in check. [Read - 12 Breastfeeding Myths and Facts]

3. Daily Exercise is the Answer:

   You must already be rolling your eyes out of exhaustion and on top of it, I just mentioned ‘Exercise’. But don’t worry as this won’t get you tired but will put some energy within you. Once you fit exercise in your daily routine, you will find yourself more active than before. Don’t grind your teeth about exercising, think about the benefits too! Regular exercising can also help you shed the excess pregnancy weight that you have been carrying around. Say goodbye to your pregnancy belly and say hello to that gorgeous dress you’ve been wanting to wear for a long time

4. Hit Snooze:

   I know how tough it is to get enough sleep during the night because the baby wakes up at every few intervals hungry. Thus, you need to catch up on your sleep whenever possible and have a helping hand for all the household chores. This will reduce your burden to a great extent. Take a nap when your baby naps and go to bed earlier every night. If you are drained more than ever, ask a family member or a friend to help you look after your baby while you catch some rest

5. Other Considerations:

   If you continue feeling tired despite making dietary and lifestyle changes, you need to consult your doctor. Nutrient deficiencies can lead to fatigue and your doctor will help you deal with the same by suggesting some supplements. Postpartum depression is also the reason why many new mothers confront fatigue. If you feel sad, have lost interest in your favorite activities or have trouble sleeping, talk to your doctor about possible treatments

These are the various ways that you can take into account to manage your fatigue. The best you can do is always have a helping hand to get the chores done of the household as well as that of the baby. Do not take all the stress upon yourself as it will only trigger more fatigue in you. If the situation tends to get worse, have your doctor’s number on speed dial for immediate medical intervention.

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