When did your AF return?

[AzureOrchid]

Not sure which forum to ost this but this seemed like a good a spot as any!

For the mamas out there: how long after birth did your AF return? Were you breastfeeding exclusively? What changed for you to tell it was on its way?

I’m exclusively breastfeeding and my Dr thinks some random bleeding I had around 8 weeks PP was my period trying to start again. My CM changed quite a bit after that - went from bone dry to “normal” but AF hasn’t returned since (entering 14w PP). I know it’s still early but I can’t help but get a bit paranoid that we haven’t been careful enough.
I’ve read a lot of stuff online but curious about actual experiences from the ladies here. TIA!

 

[Reiko_ctu]

I know cutting down on night feeds can get your AF back quicker, if your babe is a good sleeper! Also things can start and stop as well... like you O once and then not again for a few months!

Where do you live hun? If you’re in the states you’ll likely get it back quick because your milk and meat is loaded with hormones. I know from a friend who had her third in the states... her first 2 and 4th in Canada EBF and had 12 months + without AF. Her 3rd in the states and got it back at 6 weeks and all the women in her town got it back ASAP as well! Crazy!

Breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months and at least once a day after that I’ve been 18 months no AF x 3 babies (that’s deffo on the longer side) and most of my friends were about until they started weaning night feeds.

I did always test every few months when I wasn’t gettting Af which is a good idea for you too

 

[Bevziibubble]

I was breastfeeding and it returned around 16 months each time.

Cutting down the night feeds can help. I know mine only arrived back so late as they took years to sleep through the night!

 

[Nima]

I am still bf, a lot of night feeds too, got my period after almost 6 months.

 

[AzureOrchid]

Thanks, ladies! That’s really interesting about the US and hormones. I’m in Canada so hopefully that helps prolong things!

He does sleep a good 6-7 hits at night so that gets me wondering if it’ll come back a bit sooner. My CM has been crazy lately too.

It’s crazy how much it varies for everyone.

 

[Flueky88]

1st baby: combifed until 3 months, then formula fed. AF arrived just shy of 4 months pp.

2nd baby: EBF until I returned to work at 16 weeks and then mild supplementing (only like 3 or 4 tubs of formula through her 1st year). AF returned just shy of 11 months pp.

3rd baby: almost 3 months of ebf and still waiting. I had 3 or 4 episodes of some spotting that started at almost 8 weeks pp but AF has stayed away.

 

[Rags]

I exclusively BF, period started back at 14 months after stopped night feeds a few weeks before. From about 2 months I did have my usual menstrual symptoms though, headache mid cycle etc.

 

[AmeliePoulain]

I exclusively breastfed my 3 and at only came back when down to 1 feed a day - well over a year each time.

 

[LilacPetal]

I EBF both of mine, with my first my cycle returned 7 months pp, with my second it returned 13 months pp but I was also tandem feeding so I don't know if that made a difference. It did take a few months for my cycle to regulate itself as well.

 

[Rach87]

I ebf both my babies and got my first period both times 6 weeks post partum. Really sucked. My dd I bf for a year - never missed a period. Ds bf for 8.5 months - never missed a period.

 

[pandn]

Both of mine were EBC and I had mine when they were 13months pp and 14 months pp. This was when they started sleeping 5-6hrs straight. Before that I had absolutely no cm, super dry. A couple weeks before I had my first pp period I had cm again.

 

[Suggerhoney]

I wasn't breastfeeding and mine came back around 6 weeks post.
I think with BF I can take a little longer.

 

[AzureOrchid]

Thanks so much everyone!!

I wound up poas but definitely BFN. The symptoms of af trying to return are brutal and reminiscent of first trimester symptoms..yuck! Hopefully things will be relatively normal soon and definitely not playing with fire anymore until we are actually ready for that possibility.

 

[Bevziibubble]