Breastfeeding with Periods?

Totally normal. I started my period 3 or 4 months after my son was born, also on the mini-pill. Doc said everyone is different. The "myth" of not having your period while breastfeeding is why so many women end up with unplanned pregnancies while they are still nursing their babies. You're fine and totally normal.

Well, I'll go on record as saying that the nurse from your doctors office is correct. It isn't terribly common but it happens. I bled regularly from the 9 month mark with each of my four kids. Breastfeeding is still best for your baby and the fact that you are having periods isn't changing that. Hang in there and do what's best for you and your baby.

I took the mini pill with my son and was breastfeeding. My period returned at about 10 or 11 months also. They say that once you start solids and your baby isn't soley nursing that your period can return at any time. I know it's so nice not to have your period. I am now nursing my 4 month old daughter and am on the mini pill and am very much enjoying not having my period. I wouldn't stress over this. If you are truely concerned, then I would call the Dr's office back and talk to the nurse (not the receptionist). I don't think that the receptionist is a valid source of info. Hope that helps.

L.

I haven't heard of the mini-pill, but the synthetic hormones make you get your period back. I used breastfeeding as birth control after 2 babies and I didn't get my period back until I breastfed less than 3 times a day.

The receptionist is right. There are women who NEVER get a break from their period...at least it went as long as it did with you. Women also think that one can't get pregnant while breastfeeding and I have many friends with kids close in age because they assumed they were one of those women. All of us are different and unfortunately, we can't go with "most women...". It's possible that we aren't like "most women." Sorry, I know how frustrating that can be. I'm looking forward to getting pregnant again...the best part (other than the baby!) is not having a period for at least a year & a half! :)

Possibly the mini pill caused you to have a period. Ecological breastfeeding says that the best way to keep your period away while breastfeeding is to practice attachment parenting; wear your baby in a sling as much as possible, breastfeed on demand, sleep with baby to encourage ease of night nursing... you can look online about AP. I do practice AP, but at 6 months I sprained my ankle very badly and had to be off my feet for a few weeks (meaning I couldn't wear my baby in the sling) and sure enough I got my period back...

Its completely normal. My period returned when my daughter was almost 4 months old - I felt like I had JUST stopped spotting from the delivery itself, and then that old friend returned. I breastfed her exclusively, went back on birth control after 3 months, but my body decided it was okay to reproduce again. Ugh. I really wish I went as long as you have after delivery without a period! COunt yourself lucky, my friend.

Yes, it does happen to some women . My cousin actually got pregnant while breatfeeding despite being assured by her Obstetrician that she won't by any chance as long as she breast fed. she had to terminate the pregnancy...very sad.

So beware of this occurances.
Best,
A. G.

Count yourself lucky. I've had three children and breastfed them all for the first year. Every time, exactly four weeks after the postpartem bleeding stopped, I started my period, then had it regularly the whole time. My kids didn't seem to act like the milk was any different, so I think your baby will be fine if you choose to continue.

Hi L.,

Pretty much all have said it...Sad, but true...I got my period back too with my daughter sooner that I WANTED...but it is when your breastfeeding slows down then the hormones go back to normal....SAD!! I feel your pain. : )

N.

I've heard that the mini pill is about 50/50 for having periods. Breastfeeding is also hit or miss. My mom and sister both got their periods back within about 2 months after birth. I on the other hand did not menstrate until the day before my son turned 9 months. We each breast fed until 12+ months.

Hope it helds~ J.

I did not read all of the responses, but in case this has not been mentioned, be aware that the mini-pill is only effective for contraception if you are breast feeding 4 or more times daily. Once you decrease to 3 or less, you must use other contraception or you may ovulate and can get pregnant. The mini-pill does not prevent ovulation. A switch can be made to combination pills and once your milk supply is established, it should not be greatly changed by the estrogen. Alternatively, you could add condoms to the mini-pill. Periods can return at ANY time after delivery regardless of breast feeding, but you should be able to continue breast feeding as long as you want to.

I didn't go through all the responses but just an FYI. My daugther is 6 months old and I am 3/12 months pregnant. Brestfeeding exclusively!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Hi L.,
My name is H. B. I am a board certified lactation consultant. I wanted to start off by saying.....How wonderful for you and your child that you are breastfeeding. What a benefit to get for such a period of time.
I had wanted to answer your question about lactational amenorrhea method. LAM is a family planning method that offers a mother who is exclusively or almost exclusively breastfeeding more than 98% protection against pregnancy during the first 6 months after birth.

EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING: The baby recieves no liquids or solids other than mother's milk.

ALMOST EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING: In adition to breastfeeding, the baby recieves vitamins, minerals, water, juice, or any other foods infrequently (NO MORE THAN A COUPLE OF SPOONFULS PER DAY).

The mother who adopts exclusive or almost exclusive patterns can rely on LAM with confidence until her mensesreturn, her breastfeeding patterns change, or her baby has reached 6 months of age.

Good luck!
H. B.

I breastfed my son until he was 14 months old, exculsively until 6 months, and I got my period when he was 2 and a half months old. I never had a problem producing milk. I was told that it was normal, especially once you start your baby on solids, but sometimes it does happen while the baby is on breastmilk only. It didn't seem to bother my son at all.

Hi L.,
I had the same thing happen - really quickly. I think my son was only a couple of months old when I started getting my periods again. I called the OBGYN immediately and the nurse said the same - everybody is different and some people get their period even though they are breastfeeding... and on the mini pill... bummer for us!

I am sorry I just want to tell that I am having the same problem. I have a 10 mon. old baby boy that I am still breast feeding and I also get my period. I dont know for sure if its normal but my older sister and mom said it was.

It is normal. I started my period two months before I stopped breastfeeding. It is okay - don't worry!

B.

I also started my period while breastfeeding my son shortly before he turned one. My doctor said it was normal and sadly just a myth that we don't have it throughout. I was also told that the baby would be fine and to keep breastfeeding. I can not comment on the birth control issue, I would definitely check with your doctor for peace of mind.

It's normal. Not having your period is an old-wives tale. Typically, without any hormones (pill/mini-pill, etc) you should have your period back within 6 months while breastfeeding. After that, anything goes. This is according to my family doctor, OB-GYN and Dr. Sears' breastfeeding book. It's ok to be selfish and it's ok to continue breastfeeding. I hope you continue your breastfeeding journey with your little girl! Enjoy it while you can, I know I do!

Hi L.,
Just wanted to tell you to be cautious of the Mini Pill. I was on it for 3 months as well and bled on and off the entire time....not fun. I don't think it's necessarily bad that you're having your period, but trust your gut and speak directly to your doctor because 3 weeks ago, I found out I was pregnant! We're happy, but the Mini Pill did not do it's job!

http://www.fwhc.org/birth-control/minipill.htm#your-health -
The most common side effect for women using Mini-Pills is irregular bleeding. While many women on Mini-Pills have normal periods, others may have irregular periods, spotting between periods or no periods at all.

http://www.noperiod.com/ -
Women can stop their period naturally because of pregnancy. Women do not have periods during pregnancy. If a woman then breast feeds her baby exclusively, gives the baby no bottle or pacifier, the frequent suckling will make the woman's period stop for at least 3 to 6 months. Amenorrhea, the stopping of the period for more than 6 months, can also happen if there are problems like being underweight, overweight, sick, stressed, or even addicted to drugs; these are all examples of things that can shut off ovulation and the regular menstrual cycle. Healthy reproductive aged (defined as 15 to 44) women not using hormone medications, should have regular periods and women with amenorrhea or irregular periods should see a doctor to find out the reason for the problem. Menopause happens in half of women by age 50. Menopause is when a woman has not had a period for 1 year and tests can prove the ovaries are no longer making the female hormones and are not able to produce an egg for reproduction.

I breastfeed for six months but my period came back a few weeks after delivery.

That is totally normal. You are lucky. With my first, I was also on the mini pill and breastfeeding. I got my period at 8 months after she was born. I breasfed her til she was 12 months, no problem. My last two boys, BOOM, 3 and a half months after they were born, the period was back! I still breasfed both of them til they were about 6 months. It's totally normal, and you can continue to bf if you want. Congrats on making it to 10 and a half months! That is really good!

Everyones body is different. I cannot say about the pill you are on because I can not take hormonal birth control, but I can tell you about my own experience in life. I breastfed all 7 (yes I said seven) of my children and I always started my period one month after the the two weeks of bleeding from giving birth. I have never gone more that 2 months after having a baby before my period started again. Be blessed. K.

I took the mini pill and am still breastfeeding (although I've been trying to break from it for months!), and I didn't get my period until I got off the mini pill at 12 months and started a stronger dose. If I new it would come back just from changing pills, I would have taken the mini pill longer!

Hi L. :)

This is a bit of a coincidence for me because I'm also breastfeeding and on the mini-pill. My daughter is 1 month older than yours and I just started my period last night hehehe ;) From what I understood, it was normal. The think the reason my started tho, was that she's been too busy to nurse as much as she used to lately. hehe

M.