Help!

[Zenzero]

Hope noone minds me asking for some advice as I am fairly new to the forum and TF.

I have been trying to eat more animal protein and fats etc for the last couple of weeks and really reduce the carbs. I have some organ meats on order and just bought some VCO & CLO. I have also been taking a Tbs of raw honey before bed after reading the hibernation diet thread so am feeling good about all that but my problem is my 10.5 month old DS just does not let me get any sleep or really much time to myself at all and I am starting to feel the strain now.

I haven't slept more than 4 hours at a time since he was born and for the last 2/3 months he has been waking two hourly at night for feeds. I know I probably need to do some work on my adrenals and am trying to wade through all the info here to work out what supplements etc to get for that but I was just wondering if one of you knowledgeable folks could maybe suggest a few main things that I could be doing to try and give myself a bit of a boost until I can get some more sleep?

TIA!

Linz x

[Zenzero]

Ok, maybe I need to be more concise and to the point to get some responses?


What would people suggest to combat lethargy and lack of motivation other than:

-plenty of protein in general and specifically organ meats
-B vits
-CLO
-water
-fresh air and exercise

Thanks!

Linz x

[hummingmom]

This seems like less of a nutritional problem, and more of a "not getting enough sleep" problem. I understand that you're looking for a temporary band-aid solution, but I'm not sure if TF can provide that; it's more of a long-term way of eating, which is meant to be done in the context of an overall healthy lifestyle. It sounds as if you're already doing about as much as you can for yourself food- and exercise-wise, but IMO it's just not healthy to be woken so frequently for months on end, especially if you can't get any time by yourself to nap during the day. Some mothers seem to be able to handle severe sleep deprivation, but others can't, and I don't know of any evidence to suggest that improved nutrition (beyond what you're already doing) will make the difference.

Is your DS eating any solids? If not, and if he seems ready, it might help him to sleep longer. Conversely, if he's become more unsettled since starting solids, it could be that something is disagreeing with him.

I know that's not what you're asking for, but I can't think of anything else you could try that's TF-related. Sorry I can't be of more help.

[gardenmommy]

Do you have anyone who can help you in the night? When I've been really sleep-deprived, I've asked DH to take the little one so that I can get more than 2 or 3 connected hours of sleep. I also make it a priority to nap whenever I can when I am that tired.

I think you are doing a lot of things to support your body, nutritionally speaking. Do you have any apple cider vinegar or coconut oil? How much sugar do you eat? Do you rely on grains in your diet?

At 10 months, your baby is doing a lot of developmental stuff, including learning to sleep for longer periods. Some babies can learn to sleep for longer periods, while others resist all attempts at getting them to stay asleep (I've had babies of both varieties!). Like everything else, this, too, shall pass.

[Zenzero]

Thank you very much for your replies, I really appreciate them!

I totally understand that TF is a way of life and am definitely treating it as such and not just looking for a quick fix. I don't actually think lack of sleep is really the big issue, thinking about it, as I don't really feel that sleep deprived. I know what that feels like and it's not this....I don't actually feel exhausted just a bit 'low' and lacking 'oomph'! Although I'm sure the disturbed sleep isn't helping! I do, though probably get about 8 hours + sleep a night, just in two hour chunks, with 10-15 min wakings in between! Although I suppose I struggle to get to sleep or lie awake for a couple of hours in the middle of the night fairly often.

I haven't felt 'right' for a while (irritable, lack of motivation, anxious, bloating, excess weight) and although I know better sleep would help I think there is something else to blame and I think posting here and your replies have helped clarify that for me!

gardenmommy, I do have coconut oil and ACV, don't really eat a lot of sugar (even before TF), apart from the occasional chocolate (none since Christmas) and wine and although I used to eat a lot of pasta and bread have really decreased that recently.

My DH does take him a lot but often in the night the only thing that will get him to settle is boob, otherwise he gets really upset and then I can't sleep anyway! And tbh I do think that it is related to development. He cut his first tooth at 5 mths and it looks like number 8 is now on it's way, he pulled up to standing at 6 mths, was cruising about 7, crawling by 8, walking with his walker at 9 and has just mastered standing alone and seems to be pretty smart and doing a fair bit of mental development too so that must all be having some effect on his sleep.

He has been having solids since 6 months, but all at his own pace (BLW) and some days/meals eats a lot more than others and I don't really think that is the problem as the first couple of months his sleep didn't really change from before solids. Think I will try and go back to basics for both of us for the next couple of weeks though just incase.

I think that probably it is something I just have to ride out as I know there is a lot going on for him at the moment and although I know there are no magic solutions I suppose I just wanted some suggestions for ways to make sure my diet is as good as possible to allow me to cope with this period or indeed confirmation that I am doing all I can nutritionally, which I suppose I have got....so thank you again!

Linz x

[quietserena]

Do you feel worse after eating some foods? Wheat induces the kinds of things in me that you're talking about.

I'm currently a little sleep deprived myself and a small amount of caffeine (half a cup of tea on a full stomach) and a b-complex seem to do wonders for how I feel, both physically and emotionally.

I hope it passes soon for you.

[mbravebird]

I think you're on the right track nutritionally. For energy and treating grumpiness and promoting general resilience, liver has been a lifesaver for me. I have adrenal issues and my son slept horribly for three years. Toward the end of that time, I discovered the raw frozen liver frozen liver "pills" and started doing a daily nettle infusion. Those things were real lifesavers for me, and then, thank goodness, he started sleeping.

So, raw liver pills are made by just cutting up raw frozen liver (needs to have been frozen for at least two weeks to deal with any parasite possibilities). Cut them into small pieces about the size of a large pill, and swallow about 1-2 TBS worth, just like you would a pill. You can't taste them this way.

Nettle infusion: also supports the adrenals, and really helps with restful sleep, even when you are being wakened frequently. When my son was wakeful, the nettle infusion allowed me to always get back to sleep after being wakened, and my sleep was deeper and more restful when I did get it. Liver by itself didn't do this; nettle infusion really made the difference.

You make nettle infusion by taking a cup of the herb and pouring a quart of boiling water over it, covering, and letting sit for about 8 hours or overnight. Then strain and drink within the next 36 hours, refrigerating it. It will be very strong tasting and a very dark liquid. It will be worth it despite the taste. I used to need a couple of cups of it during the day in order to feel the effects.

HTH...

[Zenzero]

Serena, I am starting to wonder if I have problems with wheat...the only other thing might be wine but the last twice I have felt really bad with a very sore stomach I had eaten wheat at dinner and only one of those times I also had wine...how quickly would it come on?

I have stopped having coffee recently but will try the cup of tea and will get myself a good b-complex as I have had good results with one in the past.

Thanks for the hug!

mbravebird, thanks for the suggestions....will definitely do the liver pill thing as I like liver pate but not sure about eating plain liver but I have ordered some beef liver. I quite like nettle tea and have some infusion bags...would those work? Will give them a go anyway.

at three years of poor sleep!

Last night was actually a much better night and he slept at least one four hour stretch (don't have a clock in view so don't actually know what he did after that but he was only awake another twice and slept til 8 this morning). So keeping my fingers crossed that tonight is similar.

Thanks again to you all!

Linz x