Urgent Help Needed!

Dear J.,

My guess is you might be anemic. As one of the other moms said, you need a blood test to be sure. But once that's been determined, if you are anemic, one of the best sources of natural iron is the "Floradix Iron Plus Herbs" product that you can get at any Henry's, Jimbo's, or Sprouts. It's in liquid form, made from floral sources, and it doesn't cause the constipation or bloating that standard iron supplements sometimes do.

Best to you,

S. I., L.Ac.
Lotus Wellspring Healthcare
456 E. Mission Road, Suite 100
San Marcos, CA 92069
###-###-####
____@____.com
www.lotuswellspring.com

What a scary feeling! I can completely relate. When I had my baby 15 weeks ago...I felt the dizziness and had random black outs from standing too quickly or from physical activity. Tbis started around week 4. Unfortunately, breastfeeding didn't work for us, but once I started bottle feeding around week 10...these spells went away. I assumed they may be realated to hormonal changes. I would talk to your OB as I do believe despite my circumstance breast is best. Good luck!! Congrats on your new baby!

Hi J. ~ There's a good chance you might be anemic (low iron). It's quite common after childbirth. Your doctor can do a simple blood test to check.
Good luck and congratulations on the birth of your little one ;-) -Suzanne

It's possible you could still be anemic post-delivery. If you are solely nursing you should be consuming at LEAST 1800 calories per day.

http://www.kellymom.com/nutrition/mom/mom-calories-fluids...

Breast feeding requires an EXTRA 500 calories per day. Unless you are only 5 feet tall and 100 pounds, you should be consuming 2000 or more calories per day. There are calorie calculators for lactating women. For me (5' 6" and 120 lb) I think it recommended 2500 or more calories per day. I routinely eat 3 meals and 2-3 snacks to stay full and keep up with the milk production. I also ended up smaller after breastfeeding my first baby and have lost all but 5-7 lb in 4wk after my second. Also, take your prenatal vitamin and perhaps extra iron. You also need LOTS of fluids - drink every time you are thirsty and until your urine runs clear to light yellow. This may mean a gallon or more per day. Try mostly water but a small percentage of juice or gatorade for electrolytes especially with hotter weather and exercise. Unless you have a lot of weight to lose (which you probably do not as a person into healthcare and nutrition), you should not cut calories especially if you are exercising an hour a day. Hormonal changes and anemia can also cause lightheadedness. If symptoms continue after you increase your fluids and calorie intake, go to your doctor for blood tests. Also, if you EVER pass out, please seek medical attention immediately. I am a doctor and amazed at how often people come in saying they have passed out several times but did not go to the ER or seek attention immediately. Fainting (syncope) can be a sign of a problem with your heart or brain. Don't take it lightly.

J.,
Sounds to me like you're dehydrated. During pregnancy and after having a baby your body experiences major fluid shifts and breastfeeding requires alot of fluid too. You should be drinking at least 3-4 liters of water a day. (maybe more for a few days to catch up)Once the breastfeeding slows down around 4-6 months you can start to back off the fluid intake. Hope you feel better. :)

I'm not certain, but I don't think 1500-1800 calories a day is enough if you are breastfeeding. You probably need that many calories just for YOU, and I think you need another 300 if you are nursing. I am also interested in alternative health care and I have not vaccinated my children (nor was I vaccinated growing up), but hopefully you have a doctor you can trust - I think you should probably see a doctor about the dizziness and blacking out.