By Anna Cave-Bigley
There’s a kind of exhaustion that comes with breastfeeding that no one prepares you for. It’s not just being tired—it’s a deep, full-body depletion, like you’ve been running a marathon in your sleep. Your baby is feeding around the clock, your body is giving, giving, giving, and somewhere in between, you’re supposed to rest, recover, and function like a normal human.
I remember sitting up at 3 AM, my son latched for what felt like the hundredth time that night, and thinking: How am I supposed to do this? How do I keep going when I have nothing left?
That’s the thing about breastfeeding burnout—it creeps up on you. One day, you’re fine. The next, you’re running on fumes, surviving on coffee and adrenaline, and wondering why no one told you it would feel like this.
What I wish someone had told me then—and what I tell every new mum now—is this: you cannot keep giving if you don’t replenish yourself. You have to rest, even in the small pockets of time you get. You have to nourish yourself, hydrate deeply, and let yourself be cared for, too.
So if you know a breastfeeding mum who’s running on empty—or if you are that mum—here’s what actually helps.
A Warm Cup of Something Just for You
I used to forget to drink water. I’d sit down to feed, tell myself I’d grab a glass after, and then hours would pass, and I’d be dizzy from dehydration. What I didn’t realise was that breastfeeding doesn’t just make you thirsty—it actively pulls water, minerals, and nutrients from your body.
What changed everything for me was having a warm drink ready before every feed—something that didn’t just hydrate, but actually replenished what my body was losing.
That’s exactly why we created The SABI Breastfeeding Herbata—because mums need more than just water.
I started making a big batch in the morning, pouring it into an insulated bottle, and sipping it all day. It was the first time I actually felt hydrated, steady, like my energy wasn’t slipping away by midday.
If you’re supporting a new mum, don’t just remind her to drink—put a warm cup in her hands.
The Art of Actually Resting (Even When You Can’t Sleep)
People love to say, “Sleep when the baby sleeps.” I remember hearing that and laughing—when? When the laundry is piling up? When you finally have five minutes to shower?
I learned that rest isn’t just about sleep—it’s about letting your nervous system slow down, even for a moment.
For me, that meant making tiny rituals to signal to my body that it was okay to relax. A warm tea before bed. A few deep breaths while my baby latched. A moment with my eyes closed before scrolling through my phone in the middle of the night.
I also started drinking The SABI Calming Herbata after the last feed of the evening. It’s made with lemon balm and chamomile—two herbs clinically shown to lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and help the body transition into rest mode.
I won’t lie and say it fixed everything overnight, but I stopped feeling so wired and restless, even when I wasn’t getting much sleep.
If you’re looking for a way to help a breastfeeding mum who can’t switch off, who’s running on stress and caffeine—give her something that helps her body and mind settle, even just a little.
Skin Rituals That Feel Like Self-Care, Not Another Task
At some point, I stopped recognising myself in the mirror. My skin looked tired, dull, almost grey. I was so focused on keeping my baby nourished that I forgot my own body needed care, too.
I didn’t have the energy for an elaborate skincare routine, but I started using one product that made me feel instantly better—The SABI Active Nutrient Serum.
One pump, rubbed into my skin in under 30 seconds, and I looked alive again. It was packed with:
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Hyaluronic acid, to hydrate deeply and plump tired skin.
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Seaweed extract, to restore elasticity and counteract postpartum dullness.
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Adaptogens, to calm inflammation and strengthen the skin barrier.
I paired it with The SABI Prebiotic Moisturiser, a fast-absorbing but deeply nourishing cream that actually felt good on my skin.
It wasn’t about vanity—it was about reminding myself that I deserved care, too.
If you’re looking for a gift for a new mum, give her something that makes her feel even just 1% more like herself again.
The One Thing I Wish Someone Had Told Me
I spent so many nights wondering if I was doing enough, if I was getting it right. I thought I had to be everything for my baby, even when I was running on nothing.
What I wish someone had told me then—and what I’ll tell you now—is this: rest isn’t a luxury. It’s essential.
You cannot give your baby the best version of you if you are completely depleted. You have to refill your own cup.
For me, that looked like:
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Drinking The Breastfeeding Herbata every day, so I wasn’t constantly dehydrated.
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Creating small moments of rest with The SABI Calming Herbata, even when sleep was impossible.
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Using just one or two skincare products that made me feel human again.
None of it erased the exhaustion completely—but it kept me going in a way that felt sustainable.
If you know a breastfeeding mum who is running on empty, who is constantly giving without replenishing, don’t just tell her to rest. Give her something that actually helps her do it.
A warm cup of tea, a nourishing skincare product, a reminder that she is still worthy of care, even in the most exhausting season of her life.
Because sometimes, the best gift isn’t just a thing—it’s the permission to rest.
HORMONAL & PROUD
Created as a brand to help women navigate the toughest moments in pregnancy, childbirth, postpartum — and practically every stage of life –– The SABI is changing the narrative around our hormones from one of taboo, embarrassment, and loneliness to awareness and even, pride. As more than a wellness brand, The SABI offers a carefully-crafted line of products to carry you through your hormonal journey, including rituals, supportive tools, and ancient herbal remedies that have been tested time and time again by women and now come backed by medicine. The SABI is a blend of science and nature conceived by women who have experienced the joys and deep struggles of bringing a child into the world, the pains of a heavy, difficult period, miscarriage, and difficulty conceiving.
We invite you to get to know your body and its cycles better –– to really understand what is going on inside. Learn to use your hormones to your advantage no matter your stage of life, and know that you can support and balance your hormone levels. We are here to help with the information, understanding and natural tools to support your body and the emotional process along with it.
