Could i become ill from breastfeeding a constantly hungry boy?

[SGphotography]

My little boy is 5 weeks old and constantly hungry. He feeds every 1.5-2 hours at night but cluster feeds all day. I've tried using my little finger for soothing but he uses his tongue wanting food.
I spend most the day watching daytime TV & on off feeding so I think I'm getting lots of rest. (DB makes my lunch & does everything apart from feed after work so I'm very lucky).
But today I woke up with severe exhaustion, haven't moved from bed, shivering in a warm room, dizzy, feeling sick, aching all over.
Could it be my body's way of saying I can't keep with my baby's demand for food?

[BatCave]

I don't think you'd become ill from constant feeding (by the way I'm super impressed with your DB) keep up your fluids and eat as your hungry, in the early days frequent feeding is natures way of making sure you have a good milk supply - it does get better!

But what your describing could be mastitis- check your breasts for any lumps, soreness or redness. Take some paracetamol and get plenty of rest.

Do you have any pain feeding? And does he have a good latch? Does he fall asleep feeding then wake up hungry? Has he been checked for tongue tie?

[Kveta]

it sounds like a cold or flu - bfing won't make any difference, except that you get less rest. there are loads of nasty viruses going around just now unfortunately :(

make sure you keep hydrated and use paracetamol to keep your temperature down, and jst rest as much as you can.

hope you feel better soon.

[ScillyCow]

I felt like that when I had mastitis.

[SGphotography]

thanks for the responses.
I don't have any pain or lumpy boobs so doubt it's mastitis.
I think it must be flu, there are loads of bugs going around.

[stargirl1701]

I had infective mastitis. No lumps or bumps or redness. I ignored it and ended up being taken to hospital in an ambulance. 8 days in & 4 IV antibiotics. Take your temperature.

Phone NHS 24 or the unit where you gave birth.

[BimbaBirba]

I had a few shivering episodes to evening cluster feedings in the early days. I do think the shivering was due to exhaustion and depletion of my energy. Eating more helps and so does trying to rest more (easier said than done, I know!).

[junemami]

This really sounds like mastitis, might not have any obvious signs in your breasts early on, though if you have a good look in the mirror you may see some redness. Keep feeding, fluids, paracetamol, ibuprofen & contact your out of hours service asap.
You should not be feeling like this & the sooner you get treatment the better for you & your ds.

[noblegiraffe]

If you think you have the flu and you're breastfeeding, it's usually mastitis.

I had a couple of days like this on separate occasions feeding my DS. Both times I felt dreadful but with no sore or red breasts, the fever broke at night and I felt fine the next day.
I'd say if you don't feel better in the morning then GP.

[ValiumQueen]

As others have said, check for illness. I have a 4 month old hungry baby who has only just started sleeping more. It is utterly exhausting, and I am at a very low ebb, catching every germ going and developing chest infections. Rest when you can, eat and drink as well as you can, and rest assured things will get better in time.

I fed both my girls with no problems, but my boy is different. Make sure he will take a bottle, so if needs be he can have one do give you a rest. I have always been very against top-ups, but have now started giving a bottle of formula a day and it is helping. I am too shattered to express any more and he refuses frozen ebm.

Take care and hope things improve soon.

[ValiumQueen]

I did have flu btw. Never had mastitis thankfully. The flu this year is a bitch, and I had the jab. I did not go out for two weeks as my whole family had it. Baby had a mild version, and I was very glad I was feeding him even though I thought I would pass out at times.

[aufaniae]

Constant feeding can't make you ill AFAIK!

Feeding all the time is normal in the early days. It's not like that forever I promise!

I echo what the others says about calling the GP if you don't feel better soon.

[BimbaBirba]

For me, it was definitely not mastitis or flu. I just felt weak and shivery from too much feeding but it soon passed.

[Kveta]

I also have had flu whilst bfing - was bedridden for 2 bloody weeks, and am still not right a fortnight on. it was very different from mastitis. I wouldn't wish either on anyone though!

[fluffacloud]

If you continue to feel like that for a week or more you might want to ask to be tested for thyroid issues. They are fairly common post birth and very easy to treat.

Hope you feel better soon and congrats btw

[StarlightMcKenzie]

just too be safe, take an iron supplement like spartone. Anaemia is very common after birth and can reduce your milk supply meaning the baby needs to nurse for longer and more often. It also makes you feel weak and shit if you are low on iron.

[SGphotography]

I've kept an eye on my temp but its normal. So do you think it can still be mastitis?
I guess it might be a bug going around

[RedKites]

There is some more information on mastitis here. Hope you're feeling better soon, whatever it is.