Bringing on PP AF: Did you stop BFing completely or just cut back?

[lkmiscnet]

I've been BFing for 13 mo now and no sign of PP AF. Wanting to try for #2.

I've been going longer stretches without BFing (up to 6 hrs), but just started doing that the past few weeks. So, I'm hopeful AF might be around the corner.

Our LO just started sleeping 4-6 hr stretches at night finally!

I'm curious how quickly you got AF and did you have to completely wean or did you just cut back and how much did you cut back? Lastly, when you did make a change to BFing, how soon did AF arrive? Anyone over 40 yrs old?

[major_mama11]

With both my kiddos, PPAF came back within weeks to months of going longer stretches (6-8 hrs) during the day without nursing. If I remember right, I think it was about 2-3 mos after this before PPAF came back with my youngest. Both kids still nursed a ton during the night, and that didn't keep AF away, at least not for me. (I'm 29 BTW).

[karmab]

ditto. ppaf came back each time right around babies' first birthdays, when they were going about as long as you are now, day and night. but then between then and when they weaned around 6-10 mths later, i only got af maybe every 3 or 4 months.

[gumblossom]

I've had to wait til DS was 21 months(he's nearly 22 months now). Now I am waiting on ovulation again! It isn't working out as regular as before.
I tried to cut back, but it was very hard with the night feeding, so I think in my case it was just "time".
I sympathise. The waiting is so frustrating. I'm pretty sure weaning will help, but I just couldn't do it.
I am 43, so definitely over 40! And it's because I am older that I don't want to wean DS, as he might be my last.
Having said that, I really don't think over forty is to old.I was 41 when I had my DS.And I still truly believe there's another lillte one for me.
I hope things work out for you!

[MCatLvrMom2A&X]

With dd I went right back on depo so dont know when af would have shown up. But with ds she came back the week he turned 5 months old. He was still nursing around the clock every 2 hours with no paci or bottles at all and no food.

[Ravin]

My cycle came back when DD was about 20 mo. We were going some regular stretches w/o nursing because she was in daycare while I was in school from 10 mo., and I stopped pumping during school when she was 13 mo.

It wasn't until she made the leap to getting more of her calories from food than from me that things shifted. At least, that's how it seemed.

[waldorfknitmama]

I nursed my 1st until he was about 2, it wasn't until he was about 12mo that I got my period back, he did cut back but not by much, the 2nd I got my period back at 5mo pp I think because he wasn't a huge comfort nurser, nad also took a paci, and slept more at night. It's importnant to rmember though just because you cut back does not garentee a pg--- even when your period comes back. I could absoultely not get pg with either of my current pregnancies until both children had weaned. I conceived exactly 10mo after I recieved my first pp period both times.

[splath]

I did not get PPAF back until we night weaned at 16 months, however we tried unsuccessfully to get pregnant for 6 months while still nursing during the day. My LP was too short to get pregnant during that time.

[Dov'sMom]

Never got PPAF back with DS1 -- got pregnant when he was 5 months old and nursing basically around the clock except 6 hours a day when I was in school. Twice a week, I ddin't get to pump during that time; the rest of the time I pumped.

After DS2, I didn't get PPAF until he was 15 months old. At 12 months, I stopped pumping at work, which means I would go without nursing or pumping for between 12 adn 14 hours four days a week and still no AF. Then I had three anovulatory cycles.

[hoping4just1more]

I haven't gotten ppAF back with any of my 3 children until I had 3-4 of not BFing at all. I am currently BFing baby #4 and trying to get pregnant as well.

It truely is different for everyone because I have a best friend who had her baby within days of mines and she is still BFing quit a bit but she got a period about 3 weeks ago. (8 months pp) Go figure because she doesn't want to concieve again anytime soon and here I am desperate and it isn't going to happen. I don't plan on getting ppAF for another year or so. I will probably BF DD2 for another 6 or 7 months and probably I will get a period 3 months or so after that.

I am thinking that this week I may pump a ton of milk and stock up, and then the following week space every feeding for my daughter by at least 6 hours if not more and just give her some of the pumped milk if she gets hungry inbetween. This may jumpstart things and it may not. But it is worth a try. For the few weeks I space feedings I have my OPKs ready to go lol. Maybe you could give the pump and space thing a try too.