11 Months past Birth and Still No Period....

I didn't get my period until my daughter was 18 months old, about 2 months after I stopped breastfeeding. My friend stopped breastfeeding at 6 months and got her period immediately. Everyone is different.

Hi T.,
I didn't get a period until I was completely finished breastfeeding. Once I was finished, it was a little less than a week. My daughter was 15 months old when she was completely weaned.
-A.

Good Morning T.,

I also breastfeed my son untill 14 months and I did not get a period until then the doctor said that was normal. I would not worry about it but if you are go see the doctor, my body did the same thing though. My periods came on lightly about a month before I stopped and then proggesivly got heavier as the months went on. Congrats to you for sticking with breasfeeding.

I believe it is considered normal for some women to have no period while they are nursing (I was not so blessed). I have also heard that women who are training (working out strenuously) can go without having a period. While it is probably nothing, I would check with my doctor if you are that concerned. They may be able to allay your concerns in a simple phone call.

I think you may be stressing your body out too much, running takes a lot of energy and you really should focus on 2-3 times a week (every other day). You can still work out every day just alternate what you are doing weights one day, run the next, arobics the next etc) and if you do work out 5 days a week, no more than 1 hour of exercise. Check your diet also, make sure you are eating enough proteing and carbs to go with that exercise ;)

As for your period, it will probably return when you stop nursing!

.

T.,
I have a two year old son. He had a similar nursing schedule at 11 months and I did not get a period until he was about 18 months old. It is most likely the fact that you are still nursing. Enjoy it while it lasts!

R.

Hello, T..
I would not worry. My mother-in-law did not start her periods back till after each of her 3 boys was over a year old. She told me I was weird for starting when my daughter was 6 months. It varies with every pregnancy. Everyone is diferent.
I would wait till your son is 15 months old and if you still haven't started, talk to the doctor.
Just be thankful right now : )
-D.

I can only tell you about my experience which was quite similar to yours. I breastfed my son until he was a year old and never experienced a period until I stopped nursing him. Even then it was about 3-4 months before they became "normal" again. I think you are just fine and should continue as you are until you feel comfortable switching your son to whole milk only. I found that when I stopped nursing my son it was harder on me than him since I missed the closeness I felt to him while nursing. One of the good things about not nursing him though was that he finally started sleeping through the night which he never did while I was breastfeeding. Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

Most women would be counting their blessings! Your friend might be right.

I also nursed my son exclusively and he is now 14 months old. I have had three periods...they started after he was 11 months. I think it is perfectly normal to not have you period throughout the entire length of breastfeeding. I know 2 women, they didn't have a period until they completed weaned their children. My midwife told me she has plenty of women who start only after completely weaning. I wouldn't worry. And good for you for exercising and staying fit. About night feedings, I only nurse mine at night when he's feeling ill. I weaned off the night feedings by placing a sippy cup/bottle of water in the bedroom and at nite would try to substitute this for the nursing. After awhile it worked and he began sleeping longer through the night since he wasn't waking to nurse.
Good luck.

I wouldn't worry. I have 4 children, all have been breastfed. My oldest was almost 2 before I started my period again. As far as the body fat comment, I really don't think that's an issue. You may not start until you stop nursing. Just enjoy it!

Hi T.,
I've nursed my 3 kids well into their first year and I didn't have a period the whole time either. It's natural for a lot of moms but not all. It also has nothing to do with your weight - I'm a little thicker myself and again, I didn't have periods while breastfeeding. I have a 16 month old now who still nurses occasionally at night when she sleeps and I just had my first period the end of September. Two whole years - what an awesome experience!! My advice is just to enjoy it - it won't last forever!!
Hope this helped!
A. L :o)

I was 14 months post-partum before I got my first period. I wouldn't worry. You're still nursing quite a bit.

Hello,

Just wanted to let you know that I didn't start my periods until my first son weaned at 13 months and my second son nursed until he was 14 months and I started my periods about a month before he fully weaned. Like you I nursed fully. Now I am nursing 9 month old twins and I suppliment when I go somewhere (I have a hard time tandam nursing in public places and they are always hungry at the same time). I haven't started mine yet either. I think it is the norm for some women, but if in real doubt, call your dr. Good luck.

Girl, your hormones are off. Sounds like you need some Progesterone to jump start your cycle. Talk to your OB/GYN. I have had this problem before and one of two rounds is all it should take.

After having my first child and nursing him at least as much as you are nursing it was 15 months before I had another period, and I wasn't working out at all. It was also irregular at first when I'd always been very regular, but it did go back to normal during the second year so I wouldn't be worried at this point.

Hi T.,

I know many women, myself included, that have gone longer than a year for their period to return due to breastfeeding. It's not uncommon. I suggest you attend a meeting with your local La Leche League and you'll see that many women are experiencing the same as you.

Are you concerned that your period hasn't returned? Do you feel there is something wrong with your body? Listen to your instinct. If you do feel there is something wrong then go see your doctor but I assure you having a delayed period is one of the benefits of breastfeeding.

As for your workouts, it sounds to me like you are healthy and back to your pre-pregnancy weight. That in itself is a huge accomplishment! I would think if you are excercising and working out you are health conscience and eating a well balanced diet. I see nothing wrong with your workouts and breastfeeding relationship but once again, let your instinct guide you.

Peace,
J.

Dear T.,
Please check with a physician, a nutritionist, and a therapist experienced with eating disorders. Take a copy of your posting with you. For the sake of your 2 wonderful boys, listen to them and do what they say. If your friend thinks you don't have enough body fat, trust what she is saying as a true friend.
I agree with the other posters regarding periods being unreliable while breastfeeding. I also agree with you that 11 months is longer than usual to go without a period, even while nursing.
Our bodies have many amazing self-protective mechanisms that show up when they are being severely stressed. If the body believes that it is in a starvation mode, there are things that it will do to preserve the life that it already has. It will eliminate ovulation because it thinks the body can not obtain enough nutrition for another pregnancy.
You don't define your 5-day/week workouts, but also running 21-28 miles/week is pushing it. Your body may be in an androgynous mode, where the male hormones are taking over right now, and you will not get a period. You are possibly getting too much exercise and not taking in enough food and calories to cover that exercise.
Have you noticed any of your hair falling out? Have you noticed any additional fine hairs growing on your body? Look on your arms and have somebody check on your back.
I see you are from Jacksonville, NC. Are you or your children's dad Marines? If you are exercising this much because you are a Marine, you need to eat a lot more than you have been. If your children's dad is overseas, we are all rooting for you and your family.
Anorexia and bulimia are very complex disorders, they are frequently symptoms of depression, AND THEY ARE DEADLY. Anorexia has the highest mortality rate (10-20%) of all psychiatric illnesses because of the way it damages the heart.
Please take care of yourself. We are here.

T.,
I did not have a period while I was nursing all four of my children. If you are worried schedule an appointment with your OB/GYN. It should be almost time for your one year check up any way.

My oldest child got up in the middle of the night until he was 2 years old. He was a hungry kid. He is 19 years old now and I still hear him once in awhile in the middle of the night getting a glass of milk or a sandwich. He is 6'0" 215 pounds and he is still a hungry kid.
S.

With both my boys (4.5 yrs & 11 mths) I got my period around 5 months when they started substituting some nruse times for baby food and quit nursing during the night. From your schedule you gave he's still nursing at least 6 times in a 24 hr period. Between this and your exercise, it probably is enough to keep away your monthly visitor. The magic number for me both times was when we went from 6 feedings a day to 4 feedings a day. I wouldn't worry too much about it, but if you are then check with your doctor. You should be due back at your OB's soon so you could wait until then or if you're comfortable with your ped. you could ask them at your next visit. My ped. is a mom of 2 (close to my own kids ages) who breastfed as well so I'm very comfortable talking about such things with her. My ped also now has a lactation consultant on staff now that I could talk too.
Return of your period varies pretty widely I think from woman to woman so this is probably just normal for you. If it doesn't return when you cut down to 3-4 feedings or when you wean, then I'd worried but probably not until then.

T.,
I nursed both my girls for at least 13months and didn't have a period for 15 months at least. Maybe longer. Depends on your hormone level as to whether you body thinks you need to start. Hey, I would be thrilled and enjoy everyday you don't have one :-)
W. from Indiana

Don't worry. I have 3 kiddos who each nursed for 2 yrs (quit, just before the new baby came!) You will get your period. With my 1st it was 2 days after his 1st birthday, with the 2nd it was when he was 15 months and with my third it was after just 7 months. There's no telling!

Of course, you can get pregnant when breastfeeding and w/o a period to guage it can be "interesting" to figure out dates; but with me there were plenty of pregnancy symptoms to suggest my "condition"!!! Best of luck, enjoy this time w/o cramps. Your time (of the month) will come!

L.

While you're nursing, you probably won't have aperiod. It's just the way the body works. Also, working out will have that effect too. But if you're nursing, you probably won't have one. It took a month or two after I stopped nursing to get my period again.

From what my doctor told me, it's not uncommon to not have a period while nursing. My son was 15 months old when I got my first period since giving birth. I was still nursing him at the time but cutting back on how frequently because he was eating baby food and table food. I don't think body fat had anything to do with it because I had more than enough body fat and still didn't get a period. Some breastfeeding books refer to this as "natural spacing"-no period or ovulation while nursing but I don't know how true that is. My sister who nursed her son until one, didn't get her first period after her son was born until he was almost a year old. Anyway, I hope this helps. If you're really concerned you can see your doctor. Good luck and good for you for breastfeeding. And enjoy the time with no monthly visits. Unfortunately, my first "visit" was while at work, when I wasn't expecting it.

hi - I never nursed nearly this long, but when I was nursing I NEVER had my period. I have never heard of a lot of women getting their periods while nursing. I think it is normal. Instead of nursing all the time have you tried giving him a bottle at night? If he is hungry then he should take it. If not then it might be just an attachment that will take a lot of will power struggles to get him through. Good luck and remember the power of prayer is your greatest source of wisdom and strength.:)

Totally possible. I nursed my son in a similar way and have still had no period - he is 18 months now (weaned about 1 month ago). I experienced the same with my first son - now 3. And you probably exercise a lot more than I do/did :)

A friend of mine didn't get her period until she finished nursing at 18 months. That is just what happens for some nursing women. My doctor said the average time was 6 months, but could go either way. For me it was only 3 months... oh well. I'm sure that as long as you are eating enough for the both of you (STILL THE SAME AMOUNT OF CALORIES AS WHEN YOU WERE PREGNANT AS HE NEEDS THE NUTRITION) and drinking plenty of water, you are fine. You certainly aren't going to gain any weight by taking in more calories because of the amount that you are exercising. And the fact that you are working out a-lot... this can also has an effect on your cycle. As far as the nursing goes. He sounds like he is on the perfect schedule. And for a nursing baby.. twice a night is normal because he is hungry. Sound like you are doing just fine. Good luck.

Everyone is different. I started my period within a month of introducing solids, but I have a friend who didn't start as long as any nursing was going. That was at least a year for her. If you are really worried, bring it up with your OB/GYN at your next visit. ( :

I nursed my DS for 13 months and didn't have a period until several months after he stopped. I think it's perfectly normal. Just count it as a blessing!

Hey T.,

Don't worry, you're normal. I got my period for the first time a few weeks after my daughter's first birthday, and I was nursing even less often than you are. I wouldn't be concerned.

I breastfed my daughter for 14 months. She never had formula. She didn't eat anything until she was about 11 months old. She started drinking from a sippy cup around then too. I started to wean around 12 months. It took about 2 months to wean her. During those 14 months, I only had 2 periods. It has taken almost another year for me to become regular again. My doctor told me all that was normal. Hope that makes you feel better.

Dear T.:
I guess you do not need more answers. It appears to be normal but if you want to be 100% sure just ask your Dr. I nursed my daughter for 14 months and didn’t see my first period until after a year. And the same here…..enjoy while it last.
D..

Hi T.,
Maybe I'm wrong but, I thought that most women did not get their period while they are still nursing.

Let me also say: I think it's great that you're are still breast-feeding him but, most children sleep through the night at his age. You would not be getting up to give him a bottle in the middle of the night. I think it's more of a comfort and security issue for both of you.

Good luck

Hi T.,

I had the same thing with my first child. I breast fed him for a year. Within a week of completely weaning him, I had my period. I bet when you quit breastfeeding completely, then you will have a period. I don't think it's a measure of body fat because I was still carrying extra pregnancy weight, putting my BMI at the overweight end of healthy. Talk to your doctor, but I wouldn't worry about it. I enjoyed the break from Aunt Rose!

T., you should have a simple blood test which will test your thyroid. I ended up being HYPOthryoid after the birth of my DD but it sounds like you could be HYPER thryoid...

Just a blood test.

You may have an over active thyroid as I have an under active one.

Just be grateful chica! 11 months is the longest I've gone without a cycle, and I've exclusively nursed all my babies. Expect your first few cycles back, when they do start, to be spotty or irregular. It is most likely nursing, and unless YOU feel like something is wrong I would not see a doctor.

Reading some books about fertility awareness might help you recognize your cycle returning. Look for books by the Kippleys or the Billings. Here's another book, I don't know how good it is, but look at what it says- up to 2 years could be normal for you, for the return of your cycle. http://www.gardenoffertility.com/mothering.shtml

So don't worry! Be happy!

T.,
As with everything, not all women's bodies respond the same way but in general, if you're nursing you won't have a period. I nursed my daughter for 11 months and never had a period. But I will warn you, the very week that I weaned her I got pregnant again. So between being pregant, nursing, pregnat again, nursing....I didn't have a period for almost 4 years!

T.

perfectly normal, some women get their periods earlier than others, some go on for 14-15 months. Though, if you're worried check with your OB and see what he/see says. If you've not been using a birth control while nursing you may want to take a test, I found out 6 months after I had my little girl I was pregnant again, (I wasn't on anything, but...) my period had only come back that month, and BINGO! But all perfectly normal, unless you're not feeling well and things don't seem right to you.

With each of my children, I have nursed exclusively till introducing solids, gradually phasing out nursing till they are around a year, give or take a couple of months. It usually takes about two months after mine have completely stopped nursing before my periods return. Believe me, body fat isn't an issue. I'm betting as soon as your son is completely weaned, it won't be long before your period returns.

This happened to me every time. (I have six.) I didn't have a period until I eased up on nursing. It was great. The most natural form of birth control you can imagine. From what I've heard, it doesn't happen that way for every woman. So be happy that it's happened to you.

Of course, once you ease up, even if you don't completely stop nursing, the protection goes away. With my second and third, I went directly from nursing to pregnant without a period.

I nursed my daughter until about 13 1/2 months, and I didn't get my period back until she was about 12 months, right as I was starting to wean her. It's just different for everyone, and what's happening to you sounds normal to me.

sometimes when you nureing you will not get your peiord for a years

eating disorder? wow, that sounds a bit assumptive. have you always been so dedicated to exercise? if so, it should not be an issue there. souunds like you're prob in great shape. the question there is how do you feel? truly listen to your body. If you feel tired instead of energized after workouts, then seek some professional advice. It's very common to not have a period for a year or more after nursing. Mine came at 7 months, and I was so bummed out b/c i was still nursing round the clock. You should have a OBGYN appt soon anyway as it will have been a year soon. Listen to your own intuition. The thyroid thing seems more likely than an "eating disorder".
hope my two cents helps.