No Period Yet

[EmilyS]

I have a 9 month old daughter who I still breastfeed on demand. She also eats some soild food (maybe three times a day--just a little). I still haven't had my period? Is this normal? For the last month or so my underware has been wet (like I'm ovulating) off and on--no pattern. I also get a little twinge, like my period is starting every once and a while. I'm really anxious to start my period again. I like the rhythm of it and the empowering feeling. Should I be worried that I haven't started yet? Should I do any herbs, tea or something to help it to come on?

[Izzy's Mom]

I personally didn't get my periods back until I completely weaned my children - for me this was at 15 months each time and by the 12-13 month mark they were only nursing at night, but still no period until I was done breastfeeding.

I don't think there is much you can do to encourage your fertility to return - it happens at different times for different people. Good luck!

[EmilyS]

Thanks Laurie! Its nice to know another story to put my experience in perspective.

[Viriditas]

Totally normal. I think if you're bf the average is somewhere around 14 months. Ds is almost 15 months and I haven't had a period yet. You can even go years if you're bf and it's normal.

[ed_tricia]

My first after baby was when she was almost 10 months. She is now just over 12 months.

[Spark]

the average for breastfeeding moms is 12 months, I thought? But, I know there's a huge range of normal.

This has been my personal history.
#1 - No PPAF, I just got pregnant when he was 18 months.
#2 - First PPAF 10 months (she liked food a lot more than nursing)
#3 - she's 14 months now & I haven't had a PPAF yet. She nurses more intently like my #1.

[bug2003]

Yep, it's totally normal. It of course will vary from woman to woman. I got my first pp AF when ds was 10 months old. He had cut back to nursing three times a day and slept through the night.

For other women, they get AF back right away even with exclusively breastfeeding on demand. Isn't it weird how our bodies do different things?

[haleyelianasmom]

Originally Posted by Spark

the average for breastfeeding moms is 12 months, I thought? But, I know there's a huge range of normal.

This has been my personal history.
#1 - No PPAF, I just got pregnant when he was 18 months.
#2 - First PPAF 10 months (she liked food a lot more than nursing)
#3 - she's 14 months now & I haven't had a PPAF yet. She nurses more intently like my #1.

Very interesting. DD is 18 months tomorrow and I still haven't started my cycles yet. Spark, you got pregnant before your cycles returned? Did you see signs of ovulation? Was your child still breastfeeding frequently?