Breast Feeding, Periods, and Pregnancy

SheSpeeds · 2007-06-24

I'm looking for someone to say "oh yea, me too." hopefully... My son is 14 weeks, I've been exclusively breastfeeding, co-sleeping/bed sharing, he hadn't left my side for more than 2-3 hours until recently. I got my period back just before week 7, it was normal. Started the mini pill about that time. I haven't had a period since...almost two months. I'm rather poor at taking the pill at the same time every day. When I was 7 days late, I took a pregnancy test and it was negative. I'm three weeks late now. Anyone else seem to get their period back and have it go away or have a really long cycle. (low stress in my life and not at all sleep deprived) Or do I need to go get another pregnancy test...I have "virtually" no other symptoms. I've read about LAM (infertility from breastfeeding) but I've also met several breast feeding moms with babies 10 months appart. Anyone, Anyone?

DayDreamer

· #2 · Jun 24, 2007

I think it's normal to have irregular periods if you get them while still BFing and even for a bit after.

I don't know what's going on with me. I just posted "Why am I bleeding?" because I never had any bleeding while I BFed my other two kiddos, but I do with this one.

However, when my period did return with my first two at around 14 months, it was very irregular for a few cycles. If you are EBF I would think your chances of having irregular periods is much greater.

If you're worried about being pregnant, take another test. If you are pregnant, it definately would show up by now.

HTH

Reply

Save

Like

Q

quirkylayne

· #3 · Jun 24, 2007

Test again. You need to know if you should continue the mini pill, at the very least.

Reply

Save

Like

S

SGDavis

· #4 · Jun 24, 2007

I exclusively BF, co-sleep, baby wear, at home mom, etc. and I got my first period when my son was 4 weeks old!! Then I got it again when he was 10 weeks old, then again recently when he was 18 weeks old!! So the 2nd came 6 weeks after the first period then the 3rd came 8 weeks after the 2nd period. I took a prego test too, negative...strange, based on the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" I am probably not ovulating but I can tell based on my body and the fertility signs to look for that my body is trying to ovulate. I am not worried about it since we are wanting a 2nd child as soon as nature lets us, I am almost 37yrs old! But I have to admit it is nice to read someone else who is experiencing the same thing. Maybe age has something to do with bleeding during BF. I have spoke about it in my LLL meeting and they say not to worry about it but I have never personally talked with anyone who has ever had their period during exclusive BF? In fact most of my friends who BF and baby is eating food still haven't had a period? Go Figure?

See less See more

Reply

Save

Like

Q

quirkylayne

· #5 · Jun 24, 2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by SGDavis

I exclusively BF, co-sleep, baby wear, at home mom, etc. and I got my first period when my son was 4 weeks old!! Then I got it again when he was 10 weeks old, then again recently when he was 18 weeks old!! So the 2nd came 6 weeks after the first period then the 3rd came 8 weeks after the 2nd period. I took a prego test too, negative...strange, based on the book "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" I am probably not ovulating but I can tell based on my body and the fertility signs to look for that my body is trying to ovulate. I am not worried about it since we are wanting a 2nd child as soon as nature lets us, I am almost 37yrs old! But I have to admit it is nice to read someone else who is experiencing the same thing. Maybe age has something to do with bleeding during BF. I have spoke about it in my LLL meeting and they say not to worry about it but I have never personally talked with anyone who has ever had their period during exclusive BF? In fact most of my friends who BF and baby is eating food still haven't had a period? Go Figure?

I have my period during EBF, started at 3 months pp, was regular, then went a little irregular around 7 months (freaked me out) and now it seems to be back to normal at 11 months.

See less See more

Reply

Save

Like

SheSpeeds

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 25, 2007

Good to hear from everyone. It would be a b-b-blessing if I was pregnant again, but I would prefer to wait a little while before our second. If I feel the way I do right now tomorrow though, I'm going to pick up another test. I'm either being a hypocondriac or I actually have some subtle pregnancy symptoms.

With my first pregnancy I had a hospital pregnancy test 3 weeks after conception and it was negative, (prior to a surgery) so I'm trying to be patient before I test again. Patience is kind of easy with a three-month old...something new every day with him and going back to work this week. (

)

See less See more

Reply

Save

Like

liliaceae

· #7 · Jun 25, 2007

Pretty much the same thing happened with me, I got AF 3 months PP, it lasted a long time so I went on the minipill to stop it, I stopped the minipill two months ago and still haven't gotten AF back.
Both breastfeeding and the minipill can mess up your cycle, and it's not uncommon to not get a period at all on the minipill....but you should still take a pregnancy test just to be sure.

Reply

Save

Like

B

Bunnybee

· #8 · Jun 28, 2007

I was also EBF my DD and got my period back by the time she was 2 months old! I was pregnant again by the time she was 7 months! She was in NICU for 7 weeks since she was a preemie, so I was pumping only for several weeks...not sure if that has anything to do with getting AF back so soon! Oh, they were regular cycles too like 25-29 days.

Reply

Save

Like

Top Contributors this Month