Breastfeeding and periods

[sam's mum]

Just wondering when everyone's cycles got back to normal during or afer breastfeeding. I thought I had a period when Sam was about 6 weeks old, but that was 4 months ago now and I've had nothing since!! I know some people don't have any while they're breastfeeding, even when their babies start on solids, but how common is that?

Sam's now been on small amounts of solids for a couple of the weeks so I'm really hoping I might have one soon (starting to think about TTC and I really want to know what's going on with me first!!) He's been sleeping through the night since he was born, so we already have no night feeds and that doesn't seem to make a difference. I'm just getting a bit frustrated not knowing what to expect now! (Usually I wouldn't mind but I'm so unbelievably broody ) x

 

[Hevz]

Everybody varies babe. I seem to go back to every month periods straight after birth even while breastfeeding.

Don't imagine, no periods mean no chance of getting pregnant either. My friend got pregnant while her baby was 6 months old and breastfeeding, she hadn't had a period since baby was born so was a little shocked.

I myself am pregnant and my baby is 9 months, when I got pregnant he was still having Mummy milk, no formula and a bit of solids....I should know better really. But it was a wonderful surprise.

Someone I know didn't get her periods back for nearly a year after stopping breastfeeding.


There's no hard fast rules I'm afraid

 

[cherylanne]

Hevs is right it varies from woman to woman. If it's any help Grace was 9 - 10 months when my periods came back, my friend is breastfeeding at the mo her little boy is 8 months and she just got her first period back.

I found that once it was back it was regular after 2 - 3 cycles.

I hope that helps xx

 

[marley2580]

I was going to ask this myself, I thought I had my period last month. This means I should be getting it again this last week, but I've had the cramps all week but no bleeding. Don't know what's going on.

 

[clairebear]

i have had 2 since jack has been born xx

 

[Hevz]

I was going to ask this myself, I thought I had my period last month. This means I should be getting it again this last week, but I've had the cramps all week but no bleeding. Don't know what's going on.

That's not unusual at all to have the symptoms and no blood when you're still feeding, make sure you're using contraception. Some people just have a bit of bleeding here and there, others have none and some lucky buggers like me are regular as clockwork every month.

 

[Tezzy]

i havent had anything so far! mild cramping once but no bleeding

 

[Margerle]

Prolactin is an ovulation inhibitor. The more prolactin is triggered, the likelier ovulation is put off. You can certainly have periods without ovulation (anovulatory cycles). Unless you were taking opk's regularly, or you were experienced at checking your biological signs of fertility, you won't know when you truly ovulate during BF'ing.

I had mentrual bleeding 4 weeks pp, then nothing for 45 days (I'm a 25 day cycle girl normally). I just had another period but I believe the whole long cycle was anovulatory. I never showed any sign of true ovulation, though I counted 2 times where my body geared up for it, but couldn't make it happen.

 

[TashaAndBump]

I had my first period at 3 months and 4 days post-partum. Had my second period recently, so not regular yet, but definitely getting them. I had about 40 days in-between my first and second period after having Anna.

Everyone is different - my mother and sister both had about 15 months before having their first period postpartum, so I was quite shocked to have mine so quickly - especially as Anna is such a keen booby monster! lol

 

[sam's mum]

Thanks everyone! I guess I'll just have to wait and see! I've only got one slightly screwed up tube so it would be nice to at least be having regular cycles again so my poor DH doesn't find himself dragged to the bedroom every other night in the hope that it might be the right time x

 

[TashaAndBump]

Prolactin is an ovulation inhibitor. The more prolactin is triggered, the likelier ovulation is put off. You can certainly have periods without ovulation (anovulatory cycles). Unless you were taking opk's regularly, or you were experienced at checking your biological signs of fertility, you won't know when you truly ovulate during BF'ing.

I had mentrual bleeding 4 weeks pp, then nothing for 45 days (I'm a 25 day cycle girl normally). I just had another period but I believe the whole long cycle was anovulatory. I never showed any sign of true ovulation, though I counted 2 times where my body geared up for it, but couldn't make it happen.

Is it unusual to be ovulating when you are exclusively breastfeeding then? I feel almost certain that I did ovulate before my latest period because I had pains in my just my lower right abdomen, and my cervix was soft and open, and with an egg-white-like mucous, too...

Just out of curiosity (sorry to semi-highjack this thread, Sam - figure you'll want to know anyway...) Does anyone know if it is harmful to fall pregnant while breastfeeding? I know that nipple stimulation causes the uterus to contract, and some people use this to encourage labour at the later stages of pregnancy... if I am still breastfeeding when I fall pregnant next, could this be dangerous in terms of miscarriage / premature labour?

 

[sam's mum]

Hijack away...I'm curious too! x

 

[KarenLV]

Havent had mine yet.

 

[Margerle]

Prolactin is an ovulation inhibitor. The more prolactin is triggered, the likelier ovulation is put off. You can certainly have periods without ovulation (anovulatory cycles). Unless you were taking opk's regularly, or you were experienced at checking your biological signs of fertility, you won't know when you truly ovulate during BF'ing.

I had mentrual bleeding 4 weeks pp, then nothing for 45 days (I'm a 25 day cycle girl normally). I just had another period but I believe the whole long cycle was anovulatory. I never showed any sign of true ovulation, though I counted 2 times where my body geared up for it, but couldn't make it happen.

Is it unusual to be ovulating when you are exclusively breastfeeding then? I feel almost certain that I did ovulate before my latest period because I had pains in my just my lower right abdomen, and my cervix was soft and open, and with an egg-white-like mucous, too...

Not that unusual. It seems some women are more sensitive to the prolactin canceling ovulation than others. To truly experience lactational amenorhea you have to be with baby all the time. It's the 'sucking' that the baby does that kicks the prolactin into gear. SO if baby is down to feeding every 4 hours or so and feeds within 15 mins, you'll probably experience ovulation unless you're really sensitive to the prolactin releasing those times of the day. Comfort sucking at the breast round the clock is really the kicker to LAM really working.

Just out of curiosity (sorry to semi-highjack this thread, Sam - figure you'll want to know anyway...) Does anyone know if it is harmful to fall pregnant while breastfeeding? I know that nipple stimulation causes the uterus to contract, and some people use this to encourage labour at the later stages of pregnancy... if I am still breastfeeding when I fall pregnant next, could this be dangerous in terms of miscarriage / premature labour?

Well, I've heard different things on this. My first answer is no, there's no real harm in breastfeeding prior to getting pregnant. Biologically, breastfeeding inhibits ovulation to protect the current child's food source...

But remember one of the main hormones involved when you get pregnant... PROGESTERONE... is a prolactin inhibitor. So, a lot of women experience lack of milk production when they falls pregnant and once the placenta has kicked into producing progesterone by the second trimester. So if you have a time that you want to breastfeed baby #1, you may consider this when you decide to start trying for baby #2 - you may find yourself weaning earlier than you planned if you don't. But even this isn't the case all the time, and there are lots of women who 'tandem feed' an older child and new baby.

Biologically though, there is a chance that the prolactin production overrides the progesterone production of very early pregnancy, and ends up canceling it out causing early miscarriage. So if you find yourself experiencing these early miscarriages, while breastfeeding, you may want to talk to your doc about progesterone supplements if you find yourself wiht a and hope that it maintains the pregnancy without you loosing your milk.

 

[Hevz]

Prolactin is an ovulation inhibitor. The more prolactin is triggered, the likelier ovulation is put off. You can certainly have periods without ovulation (anovulatory cycles). Unless you were taking opk's regularly, or you were experienced at checking your biological signs of fertility, you won't know when you truly ovulate during BF'ing.

I had mentrual bleeding 4 weeks pp, then nothing for 45 days (I'm a 25 day cycle girl normally). I just had another period but I believe the whole long cycle was anovulatory. I never showed any sign of true ovulation, though I counted 2 times where my body geared up for it, but couldn't make it happen.

Is it unusual to be ovulating when you are exclusively breastfeeding then? I feel almost certain that I did ovulate before my latest period because I had pains in my just my lower right abdomen, and my cervix was soft and open, and with an egg-white-like mucous, too...

Just out of curiosity (sorry to semi-highjack this thread, Sam - figure you'll want to know anyway...) Does anyone know if it is harmful to fall pregnant while breastfeeding? I know that nipple stimulation causes the uterus to contract, and some people use this to encourage labour at the later stages of pregnancy... if I am still breastfeeding when I fall pregnant next, could this be dangerous in terms of miscarriage / premature labour?

Actually I've just given up breastfeeding Toby as I was getting really nasty cramping pains when he fed and I have a poor OB history including prem labour and miscarriage. The consultant and midwife agreed that most people can breastfeed while pregnant without worrying but coz of my history and the pains I was getting I have done the right thing to wean him off.....doesn't stop me being sad though

 

[rowleypolie]

i still havent had one either and my little one is 20 weeks- i thought i was about to start a couple days ago- but nope! the LC said i shouldnt expect one until 6 months because i only breastfeed- no bottles no pacifiers

 

[smartie]

I've also had no period since having Hannah. I am now only feeding her on me during the night and in the morning so will wait and see if I get one in the near future. I would also like to get my cycle back to normal before trying for #2 just to make sure everything is as it should be.

 

[luckyme225]

I thought I had a period but nothing in 2 1/2 months

 

[Holldoll]

I got my first period today. I don't know how long it's going to last though. The craziest thing about it. . . it's been exactly 1 year to the day since I had a period. August 24th was the day of my LMP when I got pregnant.

 

[sam's mum]

I got my first period today. I don't know how long it's going to last though. The craziest thing about it. . . it's been exactly 1 year to the day since I had a period. August 24th was the day of my LMP when I got pregnant.

How funny! Bet it doesn't seem like it was a year ago...mine was 25th May last year and still nothing! x