Fertility/AF returning after birth Q

[blessedhome]

I have been stumped and a friend of mine suggested I join here because y'all might be able to help.

I have breastfed four children, but this is the first time I have followed the rules of Ecological breastfeeding and truly exclusively breastfed (no pacifiers, still night nursing, co-sleeping, etc.)

I am 16 months PP and until this past Saturday, have not had any signs of spotting, bleeding, etc. (save the initial post-partum bleeding).

My ds has gradually been showing interest in what we're eating and while he's eating more and more, I don't think he's cut back on nursing at all--the solids have been adding calories, not replacing them.

So I was and wasn't surprised when I saw pink this past Saturday.

With my other children, my fertility returned right away (but I also used pacifiers and introduced solids at 4-6 months).

I printed out a new fertility chart, got my thermometer ready, and was prepared for Cycle 1! But I have not had any other spotting whatsoever since Saturday morning.

What gives?

This is totally new to me--I haven't had a proper period since my LMP in 2008.

With my other three children, not only did my periods come back immediately, they were also regular.

We DTD Saturday morning and I wondered if the pink was from that, but I've never experienced spotting after DTD (even while pregnant).

Or do I consider that I *am* on a period, but they're going to be extremely light for awhile? LOL I'm still going to make sure my temps are charted. While I'm loving nurturing my little fella at the breast, part of me was just a bit excited at the possibility of a new family member.

Any input would be great.

[BarefootScientist]

I did have a couple "false starts" before my AF came back, and my first one was really light. It was normal length though. I think now that you've had that spotting though, you can probably start temping, the temps will tell you more about what's going on, especially if you remember your low/high ranges from before (I assume you've charted before, you sound like you know all about it).

I think it's fairly normal to have some spotting like that every now and then before your cycles kick back in. It does mean you should start being careful if you don't want to be pregnant again though! Good luck!

[blessedhome]

Thanks for the info.

Yes, I've been charting since 2002, and I remember my temps from before.

I just saw my dr. yesterday to have some labwork and mentioned it to him. He said he wouldn't count it as a period but did order an hcg test along with the others. LOL

We're not preventing pregnancy, but I'm hoping that my fertility will continue to stay low as my ds isn't anywhere near done nursing. Of course I also know that my body will meet his needs, so I guess if I do conceive, then my body knew he was in the process of not needing that nourishment as much. (Note, I'm with him pretty much 24/7, so he nurses and even has his little "pit stops" at will).

Part of me was excited to see a period could be on the way, just so I'll know more of what to expect. After about 10 months of nothing below the cover line, I stopped charting and just took my temp once a week. But now I'm back in the game.

I read Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing, which gave me some great info as well.