Breastfeeding and Periods

[JennyLynn512]

Ok...I've been nursing Valerie for a year and a week now and I still have not had one single period. Crazy, I know! My husband and I would like to start trying to conceive baby number 2 here in late August, so I'm starting to get worried if I'm ever going to have a period. So here's my question....we've started weaning Valerie to cow's milk and cutting back the amount of times she nurses. I'm trying to cut from 4 times a day to 2 times. Do you think this cut will help trigger my cycle to start? I'm also not feeding throughout the night anymore, because she is in her own toddler bed now. Any advice would be great!

 

[mommyof3co]

It probably will, I didn't get my period back with Casen until he fully weaned but he did that all on his own all at once at 11mo, didn't slowly cut back. Hayden I got it back when he was 15mo and finally started sleeping through the night which cut his feedings back to 2-3 a day...now it's gone away again though I think due to my IUD Lol

 

[Alexas Mommy]

While a lot of people are different, I do believe that cutting it down to 2 feeds should do it! It made the come back for me when Alexa stopped feeding as often-chances are very good that AF will show for you in the next few months anyway! Good Luck!

 

[Bec L]

Oh no, that's not what I wanted to hear!! Still no period for me and we'd realy like to start TTC soon. I feed Poppy first thing in the morning, and also before bed but then her other feeds are a bit random. There's usually one at about 4 or 5am and an occasional mid morning or mid afternoon feed.

My h/v said if having #2 is that important, to stop b/f altogether But Poppy is still my number 1 priority and I don't want to stop yet, and she definitely doesn't!!

I hope yours arrives soon JennyLynn

 

[clairebear]

This is part of the reason why im waiting ttc in Ocotober as hopefully Jack wll be fully weaned by then. I have had one small period in the time i have been BFing when i was at work for longer then normal and didnt do the normal feed times.

 

[Mervs Mum]

I think that kind of cut back should kick start them - I got my first one a month after we started weaning and I just had my second so I THINK mine are back. She's only feeding 3 times a day now

 

[lozzy55]

Cutting back on your feeds will def help. At 9 months DD cut back to 3 feeds a day, morning, lunch and tea time. This was when my first period arrived. I knew that I was getting ready to stop feeding and was going to stick with it until 12 months so that I didn't have to give formula. Your body is a clever thing and you could end up getting pregnant without having a period. We conceived in our first cycle (from one night -poor Daddy) because my body decided it was ready.

I wish you all the luck and hope it comes very soon for you x x

 

[JennyLynn512]

Thanks ladies! I sure hope this cut back brings back my cycle (never thought I'd be wanting that darn thing back)! Haha! My doctor said something about how if it doesn't come back and Valerie is weaned or being weaned, then they can give you somethin(hormones or something) to kick start your cycle back up? Do you know what she would be talking about? Valerie is doing good with the weaning process....at night she does fine; it's the naps that are hard. She's gotten so used to using me for comfort that it's hard to break. I know she can do it though; just gotten listen to her cry for a bit. Ugh!

 

[lozzy55]

TBH I've never heard of being given hormones to stimulate periods but then I'm in the UK under a very different health system so it might be something worth researching more.
I bet it just comes back when you're least expecting it and at the most inconvenient time. Mine was just as we were boarding a flight from Boston to London - just typical! x

 

[Samantha675]

I have not started back either, but as I am not ready to TTC again, I am just fine with it.

 

[Dukechick]

I just learned in my birthing class, that breast feeding is not a form of birth control! You can still get pregnant while breast feeding with no period. Are the chances more slim?

 

[Mervs Mum]

I just learned in my birthing class, that breast feeding is not a form of birth control! You can still get pregnant while breast feeding with no period. Are the chances more slim?

If you are exclusively BFing, like you would expect in the first 6 months, then is MAY suppress your periods. BUT dont use it as the only form of contraception if you really dont want to get pregnant! Ask Hevz.....

And if you are throwing some formula in there you DEFINATELY dont wanna use it as contraception

 

[Blob]

Gawd i was wondering this as well, i havent had mine yet though in comparison its not very long
Hope she come soon for you!!