My day started off with the girls arguing over who had to eat the “cereal sand” you know, the dust at the bottom of a bag or box that no one wants. And in my sleep deprived mind and state of constant hunger while producing enough milk for three children I graciously accepted the cereal sand and gave them all a smorgasbord of things ranging from cheese sticks to peanut butter and a piece of plain bread. Whatever, I mean they were happy and fed.
During dinner they had a very serious discussion about the best way to eat “broccoli crumbs” if even at all. I ate their broccoli crumbs and I thought they were delicious.
I eat everything in sight these days. We made homemade pizzas the other day, I ate my own personal one, half of 3’s because she didn’t finish hers and then two pieces of the one we made for the family with the extra dough and toppings.
I did some “research”, this “starving” sensation apparently is (according to google) a built in survival instinct so that nursing moms obtain all the nutrients they need to sustain the newborn they are feeding. Now does 4 need a bag of starburst jelly beans, a banana, two pieces of peanut butter toast and two handfuls of bite size Easter candy bars? Probably not. I’m fairly certain those are not the particular nutrients God intended when he created those survival instincts within us.
I mean on any given day not nursing I have very little self control when it comes to saying no to all things sweet and sugary. Up until now my passion for running has managed to keep me in a decent athletic condition despite my weakness for junk food. In my defense I do eat a healthy diet outside of my seemingly endless train of treats. I hit the big 3-0 in February though, so it remains to be seen if my metabolism is going to decide perhaps it doesn’t want to work in my favor anymore and to be honest my pancreas could use a break. I should, I mean I need to back off of the sweets.
I digress.
This google research also informed me that lack of sleep results in an increased level of prolactin production with also leads to that hunger feeling. Fun fact, lack of sleep inhibits the body’s ability to replenish serotonin levels (serotonin is a key neurotransmitter in mood control, think serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Lexapro and Zoloft). So if you’re not sleeping those SSRI antidepressants can’t work effectively because your body can’t make the serotonin to begin with.
So here I sit, sleep deprived, constantly hungry and mildly anxious. All of which is biologically “expected” with a newborn. Motherhood sure has a less than glamorous start doesn’t it?
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