Period-Will it ever come back?

[roses25]

My son is 14 1/2 months old and still nurses a lot...every 3-4 hours and all through the night. I offer him solids at each meal and snacks in between each meal, but he's just not into them yet. When my son was 10 months I spotted for 3-4 days (could wear one panty liner all day and not have any problems). I thought that was my period starting back, but since then I've had nothing.

Next year around this same time I'd like to start trying for baby #2, but will I have my period back by then so I can get pregnant? How can I possibly start tracking in about 6 months down the road if I don't have my period? If it doesn't come back in the next year, does that mean I'm going to have a hard time getting pregnant? Everyone else I know from meetings got their period back when their baby was between 6-9 months of age.

Carolyn

[mom2happy]

I didnt get mine back till 14 months and then got pregnant a month later with every precaution taken!! Dont worry.

[spughy]

Nursing that frequently, especially at night, will keep your period at bay. If you really want it back quickly, nightweaning would be your best bet. However, if you don't think your first baby is ready for that, then he's probably not ready for a sibling either Nature works in mysterious ways...

Seriously, though - breastfeeding works really well as birth control as long as night nursing continues. It's not a guarantee, if complementary foods are in the picture, but it's still nature's way of helping to make sure that babies don't come too closely together (tandem nursing is fine, but tandem *night* nursing is really, really draining). Also, if your DS is still really dependent on breastmilk, getting pregnant is probably not a great idea until he's less so, because a very common side-effect of pregnancy is a considerable drop in milk supply.

Another factor in fertility return is body fat - if you are very thin, it may take longer to get your period back, especially if your diet is restricted for any reason (medical, sensitivities in nursing child, or by preference). Again, this is nature's way of making sure you've got enough physical resources to handle another pregnancy.

ETA: Just realized you said NEXT year for TTC - yeah don't worry. It'll be fine.

[Chloe'sMama]

Mine didn't return until DD was around 16 months and I got pregnant with the second PP egg. My milk supply tanked (disappeared completely) by 4 weeks pregnant. I am still 'dry' nursing my DD, but hoping to tandem once little one arrives. DD was still nursing at night and during the day. I say don't worry about it for a while. You should be fine.