Help! Breastfeeding and dizzy.

Hi!

So I've been following the raw till 4 lifestyle off and on for months. About 3 weeks ago I got serious and have been eating this way consistently.

My concern is this:
I'm tandem breastfeeding my toddler and my 3 month old. I always make an excess of milk.

The last 3 weeks, I've been dizzy and light headed with a fuzzy brain. It feels like I'm not eating enough...like my blood pressure has dropped, but I know that I am because I'm monitoring it via cronometer. I've averaging 3200-3500 calories a day.I usually do 15-30 mins of yoga 5 days a week. It's hard to get consistent exercise with two little ones during the winter.

Here is a typical day for me in the winter:

I eat a massive banana date smoothie in the am that adds up to about 1200-1400 calories or I have a massive dateoraid.

This usually take me a while to eat, but almost instantly, after the first couple sips, I start to feel dizzy.

For lunch I'll have another big smoothie, usually a green one plus 5-6 bananas or pears. It usually totals about 800-1000 calories or I'll just eat 6-10 bananas.

For dinner I'll eat the typical RT4 potatoes, rice, rice noodles, pasta etc etc. It usually adds up to 1300-1400.

I drink a TON of water. Around 7-9 L a day easily. Breastfeeding makes you thirsty. I pee clear.

I have read that the dizziness could be two things..the fat leaving my system and/or the salt leaving my system.

I'm starting to get concerned as I have two little ones to care for all day and I worry about driving and just doing daily activities with them.

Can anyone tell me how long this may last? Can I do anything to ease this?

P.S. I have been eating clean for a long time, but I did have gut problems and I know I had problems absorbing nutrients. When I started to change my diet 7 years ago it was because I was pretty sick. Massive fatigue, debilitating joint pain, headaches, brain fog, skin issues, flu symptoms, bad periods etc. I don't have any of those things anymore, except for the occasional joint pain if I eat something wrong.

Please help!

Hello you awesome tandem breast feeding mama! :D

You may indeed need to eat more! Breast feeding and caring for two young ones takes a lot of energy, mentally and physically! How do i know im not eating enough calories from fruit?

Dizziness can also be from too high blood sugar. If you have an underlying issue that gives you high blood sugars then you may need to eat low glycemic foods for a while until it heals. I would try skipping the dates and adding some lettuce to your banana smoothie and see if this prevents dizziness. Under eating can also cause dizziness so it may just be a matter of increasing the calories.

Also check and re-check your sleep, (as much as you want), and water output, (10+ times daily), being under slept or dehydrated can make you dizzy too.

Replies

GardenGirl February 4, 2015 at 10:46pm

"or the salt leaving my system"

Or not enough salt in your system. Try celery.
Gia February 4, 2015 at 8:30pm

Up your greens instead of dates in smoothies add kale. Take prenatal vitamins still. Have a big green salad with avocado and hemp seeds for lunch. Have more celery. Also go get your blood check to make sure your iron is not low. Also sometimes an ear infection can cause dizzy spells.
- indiemama > Gia February 5, 2015 at 5:30am
  
  I did have a strange episode a month ago where my ears got plugged and were popping. I never got sick but was considering a ear infection. It's just concerning because it's been over a month.
- indiemama > Gia February 5, 2015 at 5:28am
  
  I actually do eat a ton of greens. At least a head or two at dinner and greens in a smoothie. I also sprinkle hemp seeds on the salad or put them in dressings.
  I was kinda spacey last night when I typed this and I wasn't as detailed as I should have been. :) oh and I have avocado every couple days. I do sometimes do salads for lunch.
ednshell February 4, 2015 at 4:14pm

Hello you awesome tandem breast feeding mama! :D

You may indeed need to eat more! Breast feeding and caring for two young ones takes a lot of energy, mentally and physically! How do i know im not eating enough calories from fruit?

Dizziness can also be from too high blood sugar. If you have an underlying issue that gives you high blood sugars then you may need to eat low glycemic foods for a while until it heals. I would try skipping the dates and adding some lettuce to your banana smoothie and see if this prevents dizziness. Under eating can also cause dizziness so it may just be a matter of increasing the calories.

Also check and re-check your sleep, (as much as you want), and water output, (10+ times daily), being under slept or dehydrated can make you dizzy too.
- indiemama > ednshell February 5, 2015 at 7:26am
  
  Sounds good. I know I don't get enough sleep, but honestly, I get as much as I can. With a toddler who doesn't sleep well and a new baby, sleep is elusive. =)
  
  I definitely pee 7-13 x a day and I drink so much.
  
  I'm starting to think it's just not enough calories, but the strange thing is that I feel fine in the morning until I eat that first piece of fruit or smoothie....then the dizziness starts. That's why I was thinking it was a blood sugar thing as well.
  
  I know I'm still getting a little too much salt in my diet, but I'm watching it. Other than that, I really follow the guidelines. I rotate greens and fruits and have a large variety of both. I incorporate greens and some herbs into my smoothies. I sometimes do large juices with fruit on the side. I feel like I'm well rounded. that's why I'm concerned.
  
  I don't use any chemicals in my house or on my body and I live a clean lifestyle. I get outside as much as I can with two kiddos and try to exercise when I can.
  
  I just don't know what else to do!!
  - ednshell > indiemama February 5, 2015 at 9:08am
    
    You are doing so great!!! I would try to eat low glycemic for a few days and see if this helps and then try increasing calories to 4000 and see if this helps. They are both easy fixes, no worries! :)

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