anyone else get light headed?

[Sprat]

I am exclusively breast feeding my 5 month old and I am sure i am eating enough but i keep getting light headed especially when i get up. Feel a bit shaky too. I feel quite spaced out alot of the time which i think is tiredness. And maybe that's what is causing the light headed feeling too. Anyone else have this?

 

[yellowbell]

I feel lightheaded sometimes. Could be from not having enough sleep..
Do you take iron and calcium supplements? Lack of iron also causes light headedness...

 

[chineyjn]

Could also be your blood pressure.

 

[Sprat]

I feel lightheaded sometimes. Could be from not having enough sleep..
Do you take iron and calcium supplements? Lack of iron also causes light headedness...

No i am not taking any supplements. Maybe i should start taking some again.

 

[Sprat]

Could also be your blood pressure.

What would that mean and is there anything i can do about it?

 

[stephie_corin]

Yes I get this! I think it's low blood sugar. Breastfeeding burns so many calories. Another of my breastfeeding friends gets this too. Ive found the only thing that can possibly help is chocolate

 

[emmalg]

It could be low blood pressure and low blood sugar.

Try to make sure you drink enough, you need extra fluid when BF. Too little fluid can contribute to your BP getting low and dizziness.

You also need about 500 cal extra a day (I read 300 in PG and 500 for BF), so that equates to at least an extra bowl of cereals a day. Just be careful to use it wisely and not on an extra choccie bar as that wont help how you feel! I know in the early days it can be hard to find time to eat properly but it is really important as your resources will go into making the milk. If you don't have sufficient nutrients in your body to put into the milk, not only will you drain yourself, you might not pass the required vitamins and minerals onto the baby.

It sounds as if your blood sugar may be dropping, that can happen if you don't eat enough foods which release energy slowly to keep you going between meals, it's a problem I've suffered from since being a kid. Things like bananas and pasta are great and release energy slowly but other fruits like oranges and apples (and also sweet foods like chocolate and sweets) can cause a sudden sugar spike followed by a huge drop in blood sugar which can also leave you feeling shaky.

If you still feel you are having issues after making sure you are eating and drinking well, keep a food diary for a few days and note when you feel this way so you can go to the Dr for some checks. Hope you feel better soon x

 

[ledzep]

I sometimes get this too-usually when eating badly or exhausted.but don't hesitate to see your doc if you are not sure.
Mind yourself!

 

[Sprat]

Yes I get this! I think it's low blood sugar. Breastfeeding burns so many calories. Another of my breastfeeding friends gets this too. Ive found the only thing that can possibly help is chocolate

 

[Sprat]

It could be low blood pressure and low blood sugar.

Try to make sure you drink enough, you need extra fluid when BF. Too little fluid can contribute to your BP getting low and dizziness.

You also need about 500 cal extra a day (I read 300 in PG and 500 for BF), so that equates to at least an extra bowl of cereals a day. Just be careful to use it wisely and not on an extra choccie bar as that wont help how you feel! I know in the early days it can be hard to find time to eat properly but it is really important as your resources will go into making the milk. If you don't have sufficient nutrients in your body to put into the milk, not only will you drain yourself, you might not pass the required vitamins and minerals onto the baby.

It sounds as if your blood sugar may be dropping, that can happen if you don't eat enough foods which release energy slowly to keep you going between meals, it's a problem I've suffered from since being a kid. Things like bananas and pasta are great and release energy slowly but other fruits like oranges and apples (and also sweet foods like chocolate and sweets) can cause a sudden sugar spike followed by a huge drop in blood sugar which can also leave you feeling shaky.

If you still feel you are having issues after making sure you are eating and drinking well, keep a food diary for a few days and note when you feel this way so you can go to the Dr for some checks. Hope you feel better soon x

thank you so much for this! I think i am consuming the right amount of calories but not be eating the right things. A little too much cake and not enough slow releasing foods.

I do alot of walking to and from my toddlers pre school (usually in a hurry as we are always running late!) so i probably should take that into consideration aswell.

I am good at drinking lots at home but spend alot of time out and about and forget then. That makes sense actually because it is often worse while out and about.