How to get period back while nursing

[hasya]

We're breastfeeding on demand through the night, which, because of co-sleeping, happens 2-3 times at night for a few minutes at a time. I haven't had a PP period yet (only 9 mo PP). I want to start thinking about how to achieve a pg when we begin ttc #2. Just in case it doesn't return by then. I don't want to have to wean her to be able to get pregnant.

What did you all do? Or did you do anything? I'd like to begin gathering information.

I am not the youngest mother out there, so just waiting it out won't be an option after my body has regained its full strength (you would think that it would have by now, but that is a whole other problem of eating right (yeah right) and exercising (again, yeah right)).

[appalachiamama]

I waited 14 months for mine to return and cycles were anovulatory for another few months.  We weren't making a real effort during that time, but when we decided to (at about 20 month PP), it worked.  I wouldn't do anything to make them come back, personally.  For me, cycles didn't return because of sleeping through the night.  That has only happened since about 22 months.  It was more the start of solids at around a year that I feel triggered them.

I recommend Taking Charge of Your Fertility for helping to know what to do when your cycles do return. It would save purchasing OPKs and a lot of confusion.  Your library might even have it.

[bbuggita]

I never got a period between my 2nd and 3rd child....went straight from BFing to preggo again! 

Good Luck and I will keep my fingers crossed for ya!

Heidi

[hasya]

Appalachiamama, I used BBT to conceive my first (started temping after a miscarriage to know when period will come and continued temping until a few days after BFP. I may do that once my period returns.

Bbuggita, Wow! I know a couple of people whom this happened to, both due next month. I don't think I am quite ready for another pregnancy yet (mind is, not body :-)). So, we're using protection for now.

[averlee]

My period returned when my daughter was 10 months old. She had started solids several months before (actually she stole and ate a slice of cantaloupe when she was 10 weeks old), was still nursing about every 2 hours, day and night, plus co-sleeping. She also got her first tooth the same day I got my period back.

I don't think you have to do anything special. Even nursing around the clock, solids or no, most mamas seem to get their cycles back sometime around the 1 yr mark.

[hasya]

Thanks, Averlee. I am hoping to think of ttc-ing when she is about 14 months old. My mother was asking me this morning if my period returned.

[beebalmmama]

I'm not sure what has brought mine back both times, but it seem irrelevant to what most people think.

Ds 1 nursed around the clock. All the time, all night, long nursing sessions......He started solids at 6 months but didn't take to them until about 9 months. Period came back at 7 months.

Ds 2  is a short and sweet type of nurser. Wasn't STTN but was only nursing a couple times a night and occasionally down to one time. He started solids at about 6.5 months and really ingesting food at 8 months. I kept waiting for period to come and didn't get it until after a 13 months. Although I suspect I was ovulating before because of irritation and skin inflamation every month.

[hasya]

Hmmm... that could be my case too. Around Dec 30, I had plenty of wcm but no period 2 weeks later. Almost a month later now, and I am getting cramps.

[Treece]

In my experience, with my 2 babies, that I got my period around the time that child would be ready to "share" mama.

For instance, my very clingy son, I got it back at 13 mo and had 3 bt him and dd.

With dd, my very independent daughter, I got it at around 7 mo. She is ready to share, he barely was.

I don't want another so we use protection but that seems to be how it worked for me.

[Asiago]

There is a lot of information on the following site. The seven important factors that create natural child spacing explain why some women get their cycle back within months and others within years.

It's really interesting information.

http://stevenandersonfamily.blogspot.com/2007/12/natural-child-spacing-through_5731.html 

[hasya]

An update: After asking this question, my period came back on Valentine's night :-). 

So, my daughter could be ready to share!!! But I want a VBAC, so a doula I spoke with yesterday said that the policy here is 24 months between deliveries for VBAC. So, have to wait 6 months before ttc.

Asiago, I'll read the link, thanks! I just did. Huh!

[appalachiamama]

Congratulations!  I had seven cycles after mine came back. Good luck!  I hope you get your VBAC! 

[hasya]

Thanks, Appalachiamama!