Sigh. I just got my first PP period, and I don't understand why.
My baby is 7 months old. He's basically still EBF (we just started letting him reach for things like broccoli florets, but he's genuinely not ingesting anything, just licking it and waving it around.)
Correct me if I have this wrong, but: ovulation is suppressed by prolactin, and prolactin levels go up when you're near your baby and nursing, yes? I don't understand how my prolactin levels could have gone down enough to allow ovulation:
My guy eats frequently, on cue. I have never attempted any scheduling, and I offer the boob at the drop of a hat. He sleeps with us, and wakes once or twice to nurse between midnight and morning. He's never gone more than five hours between nursings. He doesn't take a pacifier. I am almost never separated from him, and if I am it's for really short periods. Blah blah blah- we never called it ecological breastfeeding, but I think it's pretty close. (I don't nap with him, but he naps almost exclusively in my arms. That's the only one I can think of.)
Anyway, I am kind of baffled as to why my period came back - and feeling totally grumpy and inadequate. Did I do something wrong? Is this simply genetic? I asked my mom, and her period came back at around six months after having her babies, both times.
Any wisdom?
My baby is 7 months old. He's basically still EBF (we just started letting him reach for things like broccoli florets, but he's genuinely not ingesting anything, just licking it and waving it around.)
Correct me if I have this wrong, but: ovulation is suppressed by prolactin, and prolactin levels go up when you're near your baby and nursing, yes? I don't understand how my prolactin levels could have gone down enough to allow ovulation:
My guy eats frequently, on cue. I have never attempted any scheduling, and I offer the boob at the drop of a hat. He sleeps with us, and wakes once or twice to nurse between midnight and morning. He's never gone more than five hours between nursings. He doesn't take a pacifier. I am almost never separated from him, and if I am it's for really short periods. Blah blah blah- we never called it ecological breastfeeding, but I think it's pretty close. (I don't nap with him, but he naps almost exclusively in my arms. That's the only one I can think of.)
Anyway, I am kind of baffled as to why my period came back - and feeling totally grumpy and inadequate. Did I do something wrong? Is this simply genetic? I asked my mom, and her period came back at around six months after having her babies, both times.
Any wisdom?
- your not doing anything wrong! Some women EBF around the clock, babywear etc. etc. and STILL get their period back right away!
This is how my history has gone:
