TTC while breastfeeding - 11m pp

[lenorajoy]

Hello! DH and I are wanting to TTC #2, but nearly 11 month pp still no sign of AF or ovulation! Anybody else been this long without AF after having a baby? Any tips to jump start o so we have a chance at conceiving? I believe I read that red raspberry leaf tea can help with reproductive issues and I’ve been meaning to start drinking that again...

Just FYI, I also have hypothyroidism now - not a factor before pregnancy, so this is new to me!

 

[Dill]

Breastfeeding can delay ovulation and menstruation for quite some time -- so you may not start ovulating until after you begin (or even complete) the weaning process. I started having my cycle within just a couple of months of DS being born (ugh) despite exclusively breastfeeding, but I know some women who have gone years, as long as they've continued.

 

[NDH]

AF returned after 4 months the first time, 13 months the second, and almost 15 months the 3rd time. All demand breastfed. Supposedly babies sleeping through the night can trigger AF to return sooner, but my first fed 8+ times a night and it certainly back the soonest! My other two only fed 1-2 times a night

 

[Bubble4]

My AF arrived about 15 months pp as I stopped feeding during the day and only fed once at night. It took two months TTC to fall pregnant this time. I'm still feeding my 20 month baby at night x

 

[lenorajoy]

Thanks for your replies, ladies! I had no idea it was so common to have to wait so long! It seems like everyone talks about it happening by 6-9 months at the latest.

I feel like I have a number of things working against me here. I’ve had a low supply from the start, so I’ve probably spent a lot more time nursing than the average breastfeeding mom. DD has always been a terrible sleeper, waking multiple times a night (5-6 times on bad nights, and until recently 2-3 most nights) and the only way I’ve been able to get her to sleep is by nursing. We’ve been working on getting her to self-soothe and finally making progress on that front. I’m sure that amount of stimulation hasn’t helped. Add in hypothyroidism making me gain weight and I have a hormonal imbalance (doubly so with thyroid hormone issues and being too overweight) probably contributing to a delay in resuming fertility. I’m starting a diet tomorrow to lose the weight and working on weaning at night and nursing less during the day now that she is starting to eat more solids. Hopefully that combo will help!

 

[Dill]

Sounds like you've got a plan! Good luck!

 

[lenorajoy]

Thanks! DH and I will just have to stay at it just in case. Ovulation could happen anytime!

 

[pooch]

I'm 9 months PP and as soon as my DS started ramping up his eating I noticed a change...this month I think I ovulated so next week I'm expecting AF. With both my DDs it wasn't until they turned 1. This time my ds eats a lot more solids and isn't as hungry for milk so he not nursing as often but still night feeds and sleeps with me. Wished it was staying away longer!! Not TTC here!