Healing while BF'ing..WWYD?

[simplykate]

I was severely ill while pregnant and sadly had to have a cesarean to get my little DD out. I've found out since that I have/had severe adrenal fatigue (probably due to anorexia that I hadn't recovered from for long enough), which is probably what caused all the problems.
I always thought I would nurse until DD was two at minimum, but now I'm wondering if my chances of healing fully will be greater if she's weaned.
I feel like there is so much stress on my body.
She's only 8 months and I won't consider weaning her until she's at least 16 months, but if I'm really honest I have to admit that it's starting to feel draining.
I also would like to try to have another baby in maybe two years, but I have to make sure I'm really better before I do.
Does anybody have any wisdom or encouragement to contribute?

[ewe+lamb]

OK, so you want to continue on breastfeeding but heal at the same time, personally I think it would be possible, what's your diet like? Not an easy question I appreciate that, but I think that's where you need to start. Maybe you could contact a nutrionalist who's BFing friendly, contact your local LLL group - even just the support you get there is wonderful enough, go on to the health forums here on MDC. When you feel that you are ready you could start charting - see the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility by Toni Weschler and could choose to either continue on breastfeeding and TTC or not. Good luck - not sure that I've been that helpful - lol but wanted to reply to you all the same.

[pbjmama]

What steps do you need to take to heal fully? I also think it is probably possible with breastfeeding. The first thing I would do is get checked out by a doctor and make sure you are not anemic and that your thyroid is functioning properly.

[mellowjello]

I think there are lots of things you can do to support your adrenals while BFing, and then make the decision from there based on how you're doing?

I agree about checking thyroid. Actually all my thyroid stuff came back within normal range, but a hair test showed my iodine levels were lower than low. Supping iodine is helping me.

The GAPS diet is really healing for adrenals. (Kind of like SCD, but a few subtle changes). You can do the full diet while BFing, but intro isn't recommended because of too much detox.

Are you already supping B5 (pantothenic acid)? This really helped me. I just took 500 mg for 2 weeks and it bumped me up a notch. There are some others that get depleted with adrenal stress. Dr. Lam has a good website with lots of info, including nutritional support.

Do you have lots of stress in your life? Are you sleeping OK?

Also blood sugar control is really important, making sure you try to keep it as even as possible with lots of healthy fats and not letting yourself get too hungry.

Good luck to you!
Jen T.