Breastfeeding, Cycles, and Pregnancy

I've only had 3 periods since my baby was born December 2006. The first two were 6 1/2 weeks apart. The third was on time but I was on the pill by then.
It is possible that you are pregnant if you ovulated later in your cycle than usual. I have a friend who got pregnant on day 67 of her cycle, if you can believe that! She kept taking tests since she hadn't gotten a period and they kept coming back negative.
It is also possible, and more probable, that your body is just not quite on track yet. I would wait another week or so before taking another test if it doesn't start.

Hello J.,
I nursed my daughter for 20 months, and when my period came back about 16-18 months into it, I was not regular at all! There were times that I would have my period 11 days apart. Also with the negative tests, I had 2 negative ones before I went to the Dr. to see what was the problem with me. I would go to the Dr. to get a lab test from them to get the ture answer. Good luck!

I went on the pill as I was nursing (because it clears up my skin) and even I had irregular periods. When I was weaning my son, I missed an entire month and wasn't pregnant. I was late a lot. Stress, weight loss, and exercise all may have played a factor.

Hi, I breastfeed my two kids and still nursing our 16 month old. I got my periods when they were three months old and they have been regular and on-time each month. Since some tests get results 5 days prior to a period, maybe their tests should have been givin after a missed period instead of before. Maybe it's just late. Hormones are weird and stress could cause it to be late. I'd wait like you are saying and re-test.

I breastfed 3 children. One-through the 2nd year. Periods are not regular. Nursing helps to space out children and acts like birth control. It depends on how regular the nursing is and how much other food is supplemented. If you mostlly nurse, there is generally no period.

Hi, J.,

While some women do resume their periods on a regular cycle while nursing, it is fairly common for periods to be irregular. It's even common to have a regular cycle once or twice, and then have it be irregular, or, in fact, go away again for a few months while nursing. As other posters have commented, some could be due to stress, some could be due to nutritional factors, some could be due to how much you're nursing. As toddlers nurse, they got through stages where they nurse more, and some where they nurse less - that *will* have an impact on your body - particularly when your body is starting to resume its ovulation cycle.

Current pregnancy tests are pretty accurate - even up to just around a period due date. I wouldn't stress about it too much, but if you're worried - check again in a week, or go see your midwife again.

As far as whether or not you're less regular now vs before? Don't make that assumption yet ;). Wait until you are fully done nursing to see.

Liz