Energy levels during the first trimester
Many women notice a drop in energy levels during the first trimester. In fact, falling asleep on the sofa before dinner may have been one of the first clues you might be pregnant. The pregnancy hormones and rapidly developing fetus can leave you feeling a little washed out in those first few months of pregnancy.

Energy levels during the second trimester
As the pregnancy hormones even out, and fetal development slows to a more manageable pace, you may experience an increase in energy levels during the second trimester. The second trimester is often thought of as the best trimester. For most women, the sickness and fatigue of the first trimester are behind them, and the aches and discomfort of the final months have not yet begun.

Energy levels during the third trimester
During the final trimester, the baby begins to pile on the pounds in preparation for for the birth. This excess weight can begin to take its toll on your energy levels. You may find it a bit more difficult to get around during the final months, and may be starting to feel those infamous aches and pains of pregnancy. You may also be finding it more difficult to sleep now, with your growing bump preventing you from getting comfortable, and the baby performing acrobatics in your uterus.

If you’re suffering from low energy during pregnancy, no matter which stage you are, there are some things you can try for an energy boost:

1. Take regular exercise – if you’re struggling for energy, you may not feel like exercising, but it could help. Exercising regularly can help to keep energy levels up. Even a 30 minute walk around your neighbourhood could do you the world of good.
2. Embrace naps – naps aren’t just for babies, they’re for pregnant women, too. If you’re feeling a little sleepy, go for a nap. There’s no shame in grabbing sleep while you have the chance.
3. Listen to your body – don’t over do it. You probably have lots of commitments and things you feel you should be doing; but if you’re tired, spend some time resting. The low energy levels could be a sign that you’re doing too much, so give yourself chance to recuperate.
4. Stay hydrated – you should be drinking eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day during pregnancy. Tea, coffee, fruit juices and sodas count towards this total – it doesn’t all have to be water. Staying hydrated can help keep energy levels high.
5. Eat energy foods – not the sugary, processed snacks you might usually go for when you need a quick pick-me-up, but real energy food. Bananas, nuts, seeds and beans are all good high-energy foods to help give you a boost.
6. Eat little and often – keep your blood sugar levels up by eating six small meals a day. Have healthy snacks, such as nuts and seeds, with you to snack on throughout the day.
7. Eat iron – having low iron levels can leave you feeling exhausted, so make sure you have enough iron in your diet. Green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds are all good sources of dietary iron.

What are you doing to boost your energy levels during pregnancy?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2018. All rights reserved.

New parents are tired, always. As a breastfeeding mother, you may be finding the exhaustion even more of a struggle. After all, you’re likely to be the one awake with a hungry baby at 3am. Your baby probably goes through periods of frequent night wakings, and during these phases, you’re likely to feel like a zombie. It’s no wonder that so many parents are attracted to the idea of night weaning. When you start feeling bone-achingly sleep-deprived, you’ll probably be willing to do absolutely anything to get just a few more hours of sleep each night. Here are five tips to help you get to grips with night weaning:

1. Set realistic expectations

I know, you wanted a baby who would sleep through from day 1 and that is certainly not what you got. It’s important to remember, however, that young babies aren’t really designed to sleep through the night. In fact, there are plenty of benefits to night feeds, though it may not seem that way at 2am. As your baby grows older, however, he may be ready to sleep for longer stretches during the night. Don’t forget, though, night weaning doesn’t necessarily guarantee that your child will wake less frequently, it just means you won’t be able to boob her back to sleep if she does wake.

2. Be gentle

Night weaning doesn’t need to be a difficult transition for your baby, there are ways to stop night feeds without your child becoming upset. To achieve this, you’ll need to take your time and tread gently. Follow your child’s cues and look out for signs that things are moving too quickly for her.

3. Provide other sleep cues

To prepare your child for night weaning, you’ll need to create other cues to help your child fall asleep each night. This could be a piece of music played softly in the background or the presence of a particular toy or comforter. You’ll need to introduce it at bedtime for a month or so before you plan to start night weaning. This will help your child associate the new cue with sleep, so that when you stop breastfeeding, your child will still have a sleep aid at her disposal. After four weeks, you can try guiding your child back to sleep with the sleep aid instead of the breast.

4. Keep feeding in the day

Keep breastfeeding on demand during the day, this will help to ensure your child continues to get enough breast milk. You may find that your baby wants to feed more often during the day when you begin night weaning, this is normal and should settle down as your child adjusts to the change.

5. Expect setbacks

This is one thing parents always have to be prepared for. No matter what stage your child is at, there will always be moments of regression. Regression is a normal part of child development. If your child is feeling unwell or about to take a huge developmental leap, you may find that the night wakings increase. Unfortunately, this is something you can’t avoid. These regressions won’t last forever, though. In just a couple of days or weeks, your child will be back to her usual self and you’ll be able to get some sleep again.

Are you thinking of night weaning your baby?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.