"Starving" bf mums :)

I read a review of Kathy Fray's book, "Oh Baby" the other day and while I'm not sure how I feel about everything she advocates, this quote certainly rang true:

kathy fray wrote: It is very possible to be having say four two-hour naps over a 24 hour period - but to still be drastically REM sleep deprived, which plays havoc on your brain functions, trashes your memory and leaves you feeling in a permanent fog-like jet lag. The stress of sleep deprivation prompts the adrenal glands to produce the stress-coping hormone cortisol - but the body is not meant to have long-term high levels of cortisol. Among other side-effects, it makes you crave carbohydrates (starches and sugars) for their instant energy, stuffs up your digestion and mucks up the immune system.

(emphasis mine)

Since I had Krystiana I've been craving stuff a lot. For the first 5 weeks it was chocolate chocolate chocolate!! And I found an awesome recipe for double chocolate muffins A couple of weeks ago I went onto Anzac biscuits and chocolate muffins and the cravings are starting to die off a little now - I can have ice blocks and ice-cream and lollipops and biscuits instead of just chocolate stuff all the time! lol After Briona was born I craved cheese and pineapple (had a night's supply set up in the fridge for all the midnight feeds.)

I've heard a lot of people get really thirsty when bfing but for me, I get pretty hungry. And the later at night I'm up (especially cluster-feeding), the more sugary stuff I want. I guess a lot of that is because Krystiana stays up til 10pm and Hannah wakes at about 6am - so I have pretty long days I guess.

What are your experiences?

I am Starving all the time. Is that normal?

I wasn't hungry at all for the first couple of weeks after having Alyssa and my midwife used to tell me off for not eating properly even though I just wasn't hungry. I knew I had to eat to keep the milk supply up though so I tried to eat well when I did. After that, my appetite came back and all I wanted was chocolate. Now things have settled down and I am still breastfeeding, although still seem to crave cream filled donuts. I have always been really thirsty since bf'ing.

Glad to hear, so it's not just me!!!!

I get super thristy! and you would think after 7months i wouldnt sit down without a drink but noo i dont think about it till Mya is settled, Thank goodness for DF, he always stops what hes doing and gets me a drink

I remember being really starving with Jake, and never having time to eat on time (brekky at 11 am, lunch at 3pm etc)
Thirsty all the time, which is normal, but I just can't get enough sugar! Lollies and choclate!! I was kinda relying on bf to help me lose weight to get into a wedding dress!! AAARRRGGGHHHHHH I hope it ends soon!!!

My appetite is just starting to diminish now... there is an end in sight Annie

i wa sooooo hunrgy it was horrable and sooo thristy my midwife had me drinking 3 liters of water a day

Do you think that's going to be "normal" for you, Leish? Or it's yet to kick in?

I'm not too sure BM but I never really feel hungry - just make sure that I eat regularly during the day. When I was working, on a busy day, I would forget to eat morning tea and lunch and not realise till I got home. My hunger just wouldn't kick in so I wouldn't be surprised if this is normal.