Return of fertility when breastfeeding

[J1379]

I'm new here and am exclusively breastfeeding my 6 month old DS and would like to get a bit more info on return of fertility.  I practice ecological breastfeeding (well with the exception that I don't always nap daily with my baby as I have a toddler running around that doesn't always happen!).  With my first DS my cycles did not resume until he was a year old and I simply assumed that things would be the same this time as well.  Up until this point my DH and I have not been using other forms of birth control (I believe this is the LAM approach?).  Everything mentions 6 months as the key age as to when fertility could resume...but my question is - if I do not introduce solid foods just yet but continue to follow ecological breastfeeding (i.e. no pacifier, no bottles, co-sleeping, nursing on demand etc.) does this extend my reduced liklihood of getting pregnant?  Or should I definitely start using contraception simply because my DS has turned 6 months?

Oh and another quick question...yesterday I had some cramping and my breasts felt tender - I remember this happening for many months before my cycle actually resumed last time...is this something that happens to others as well?

Thanks!

[motherhendoula]

6 months is not a magic age - it is cited because that is typically the age babies start table food, or sleeping through the night - both of which can  jump start fertility again.  This is NOT A GUARANTEE - all mommies are different!

[Mama4life14]

I actually just read about this! As long as you are breastfeeding every 4 hours in the day and every 6 hours in the night with no supplementing, no pacifier, and no bottle. You should not have your cycle return. However this is just a guideline. Every woman is different. So I would say if your baby doesn't nurse this often maybe be extra careful even if you haven't gotten your cycle back. The book I was reading also said that your first ovulatory phase could last weeks or even months if you haven't had it for a long time. So far it's working that way for me. I have a 15 month old son who still nurses on demand, and I still have not had my cycle return. Not sure if this helps you at all. Just thought since I had just read this recently I would share the information I received! By the way the book I read it in is "Taking Charge of your Fertility" (all about FAM and LAM method) by author Toni Weschler.

[etsdtm99]

the big thing is that at 6 months the chance of your fertility returning (even though you follow "the rules") increases..  AND the chance of your ovulating BEFORE you get your first period increases.. this increase is not HUGE and the chance of you getting pregnant is still pretty low.. but it will jsut go up from here..

i have 3 kids - with my first, my fertility returned at 6 mo, no warning.  the 2nd, (cosleeping full time, nursing less often then the first but on demand, no bottle, no pumpin, no pacifiers, tandem nursing once a day) 10.5 mo.. my 3rd?  basically teh same situation but with some paci use and a 2 yr old nursing several times a day and i got a period at 4 months!!!   and my cycles are regulating faster than ever before..

all that to say, if it would be the end of the world to get pregnant, don't trust it 100%, if you think you can tel before you ovulate then thats one thing, but if you dont' think you'll know until you get a period, be careful..

[sunnygir1]

Originally Posted by etsdtm99 

all that to say, if it would be the end of the world to get pregnant, don't trust it 100%

It just depends on how certain a contraception method you want.

My mama has two kids 11 months apart, after exclusive breastfeeding (no paci) and bed sharing with my sister she got pregnant within a couple months.

My sister had her menstruation resume within 2 months of both her babies.  I don't think she used a paci at all with her first, but may have with her second.  Bed sharing, breastfeeding on demand, etc.

Just don't bet on it, ya know?