TTC/Pregnancy while Breastfeeding and Tandem Nursing: Information and Support

[freddie]

Hi ladies! I'm really after some advice and hoping for some positive stories

We had our first cycle ttc this month (3rd pp cycle) I used opks as the previous 2 cycles have not been regular length and I o'd on CD25. Unfortunately AF started just 9 days later So I understand I have a short luteal phase due to breastfeeding. Can I take steps to fix this while continuing to breastfeed? I have read ladies on here before talking about a few things - mainly vitamin B6 and vitex I think. Do I need to see a doctor before taking any of these? Has anyone had success with them lengthening luteal phase before? Are they safe for breastfeeding baby?

Sorry for all the questions!!

I had the same problem. I took b6 and vitex for one cycle and I got pregnant on that cycle, after 7 months of trying.
Didn't see a doctor and yep it's safe for breastfeeding.

Thanks Wishing_well... How much B6 did you take? I have done a little reading on vitex and seems the jury's out on whether it is safe to take while breastfeeding so I think I might leave that one for now

I took 100mg of b6 and 1000mg (i think) of vitex. I did loads of research about it and actually found numerous sources that said it is sometimes used as a lactation aid and is therefore good for milk supply. I had no problems

Yeah I've actually just been reading some more about it and it does look like lots of people have actually used it to help with milk supply... It's so confusing researching on the internet sometimes!!

 

[knoxydd]

HI all,

Sorry but i could not find current discussions on this so i apologize in advace if I am posting in the wrong place.

Was hoping to get some advice.. I am still nursing my 10 month old about 3 times per day. (4:30am, 7:00am, 5:00pm and 6:30pm for bedtime). I am pumping twice during the day which he gets for daycare. I had Af return in january when DS was 5 mos old but AF seemed irregular. Only lasting 3 days as opposed to the normal 4-5. It's been kind of the same for the last 4-5 months. Not entirly heavy like it used to be but it's definetly AF. I only used O tests once and never got a positive. We are just trying based on observing cervical mucus (sorry TMI). Has anyone had success with o tests or anything else? I sometimes wonder if I am even o'ing. Anyone have changes in AF while BF'ing but confirmed they are O'ing?

 

[Dk1234]

So here we go! I saw my GP today who told me my baby wont grow if I'm still nursing my toddler.... That I need to my IMMEDIATELY! Ugh- YEA! She's clearly never nursed a toddler!!!

I was told I had to quit immediately for different reasons. I had miscarried twice before so It was a bad idea. I didn't listen but I did bleed a little at 12 weeks so I slowed down, we were already slowing down at that point due to supply anyway though.

 

[TheNewMrs]

HI all,

Sorry but i could not find current discussions on this so i apologize in advace if I am posting in the wrong place.

Was hoping to get some advice.. I am still nursing my 10 month old about 3 times per day. (4:30am, 7:00am, 5:00pm and 6:30pm for bedtime). I am pumping twice during the day which he gets for daycare. I had Af return in january when DS was 5 mos old but AF seemed irregular. Only lasting 3 days as opposed to the normal 4-5. It's been kind of the same for the last 4-5 months. Not entirly heavy like it used to be but it's definetly AF. I only used O tests once and never got a positive. We are just trying based on observing cervical mucus (sorry TMI). Has anyone had success with o tests or anything else? I sometimes wonder if I am even o'ing. Anyone have changes in AF while BF'ing but confirmed they are O'ing?

Ive been doing OPKs the last 3 months waiting on AF and all negative. Turns out I am pregnant though! Just waiting on a dating scan to find out how far along .

 

[NDH]

I'm officially tandem feeding! And my milk cq,me in tonight which made my 17 month old a very happy girl at bedtime lol.

 

[DrGomps]

yay Natalie!!

I miss nursing already...we just weaned 2 weeks ago....but I am going to have 3 to nurse soon, so its probably best I have a bit of a break.

 

[cookielucylou]

On the 2nd we reached a milestone of tandom feeding for 6months
It has been difficult and I've been told so many times the older one shouldnt be nursing but we have overcome it.

 

[Zarababy1]

Hi! Thought I would pop back in here to say hello again, this is our first month of properly TTC, my 4th cycle since my periods returned 12 months in to our BF journey, ds3 is 16 months and bfs quite regularly still day and night, I have no idea where I am in my cycle or what's going on its driving me crazy I'm
On cd26 today and cramping, they've normally been 5-6 weeks long so I don't know what's going on! I've got my self a thermometer and some opks for my next cycle!!

 

[Mork]

On the 2nd we reached a milestone of tandom feeding for 6months
It has been difficult and I've been told so many times the older one shouldnt be nursing but we have overcome it.

Congratulations! x

 

[Celesse]

So AF returned 11th May pretty unexpectedly. Loads of potential fertile signs, nothing concrete. So this was our first cycle trying. 10 dpo today and faint on an internet cheapy. Trying not to get excited as early days yet.

DS is still nursing 2-3 times a day, but he sometimes gets bored or interested in other stuff going on. I think he is much less likely than DD to continue nursing if my supply drops to nothing like it did last time.

 

[Tacey]

So AF returned 11th May pretty unexpectedly. Loads of potential fertile signs, nothing concrete. So this was our first cycle trying. 10 dpo today and faint on an internet cheapy. Trying not to get excited as early days yet.

DS is still nursing 2-3 times a day, but he sometimes gets bored or interested in other stuff going on. I think he is much less likely than DD to continue nursing if my supply drops to nothing like it did last time.

Ooh, how exciting! Quiet congratulations

 

[TheNewMrs]

Yay!!!! Congrats!!!

 

[Essie]

Hi ladies,

Just wondering if any of you experienced any bleeding whilst pregnant and nursing? I'm about 6 weeks and have been spotting. My doctor said 'wait and see' so in a bit of limbo. I may be just grasping at straws but wondered if any of you experienced the same?

 

[Celesse]

I had spotting around 7/8 weeks in both my pregnancies. So yes I had spotting whilst pregnant and breastfeeding but it wasn't related since I had it with DD at the same point as well.

 

[mummy to 1.]

Need sum help/advise please mummys, i have a 14 week old that i ebf plus im on mini pill but have taken the odd 1 late, i got my first period when she was 5 week old then again last month, well i was due on on thursday but nothing i am leaving it till ties to get a test just incase im just late, what do u mums think are the chances of being pregnant are

 

[Rickles]

Hi ladies

My DH and I are going to start TTC next month - I'm very excited but at the same time want to be prepared - what should I expect BF wise if I am lucky enough to get a BFP!!

We've waited until Maddie is almost a year because she is CMPI and I was worried about her calcium/milk intake (she point blank won't take formula/other milks).

But my HV assures me that once she is 1, milk is a drink and nutritionally she will survive even if she never drinks milk again - obviously we plan to keep going but I was getting worried

Will my supply drop? Should I expect Maddie to refuse to nurse? I am hoping to wean her off the boob at the 1 year mark, but so far it's not looking too good with other milks so I just want to be prepared to keep going if I have to...

Thanks ladies!!

Baby dust to all that are trying xx

 

[charlie15]

I am tagging along here to see what replies you get rickles as also hoping to TTC in a couple of months as well.

 

[lauraclili]

I was in an interesting position. I'd made the decision to stop bfing in order to ttc as I needed fertility treatment help to get pregnant first time. My daughter suddenly decided to stop at 14 months. She literally started taking one suck then coming off and shaking her head. I kept offering but this kept happening. Two days later I got a bfp and haven't been able to convince her to start bfing again. I don't know how common this is Hugh and there are loads of ladies here who've successfully bf through pregnancy and beyond.

 

[Rickles]

I was in an interesting position. I'd made the decision to stop bfing in order to ttc as I needed fertility treatment help to get pregnant first time. My daughter suddenly decided to stop at 14 months. She literally started taking one suck then coming off and shaking her head. I kept offering but this kept happening. Two days later I got a bfp and haven't been able to convince her to start bfing again. I don't know how common this is Hugh and there are loads of ladies here who've successfully bf through pregnancy and beyond.

This is what I am a little concerned about - as Maddie won't drink any other milk and can't have cheese/yoghurts etc. due to CMPI. We've been referred to a specialist paediatric dietician to work out a plan and my GP and HV have both told me she will be fine even if she does go cold turkey...

 

[Celesse]

Hi ladies

My DH and I are going to start TTC next month - I'm very excited but at the same time want to be prepared - what should I expect BF wise if I am lucky enough to get a BFP!!

We've waited until Maddie is almost a year because she is CMPI and I was worried about her calcium/milk intake (she point blank won't take formula/other milks).

But my HV assures me that once she is 1, milk is a drink and nutritionally she will survive even if she never drinks milk again - obviously we plan to keep going but I was getting worried

Will my supply drop? Should I expect Maddie to refuse to nurse? I am hoping to wean her off the boob at the 1 year mark, but so far it's not looking too good with other milks so I just want to be prepared to keep going if I have to...

Thanks ladies!!

Baby dust to all that are trying xx

My supply hung in the first trimester and didn't begin to drop until the second tri. Its not budged this time either, if anything its gone up a little.

Once my supply was dropping I made sure DD was getting calcium from dietary sources as she also wouldn't drink milk other than from a boobie. There was about 6 weeks where I was totally dry and she dry nursed. Then the colostrum came in. Not vast amounts of milk to drink, but concentrated nutrition!