One of the many super benefits to breastfeeding 13+ months was being without a period, but it returned over the weekend. I'm not taking any meds and haven't changed anything other than a decrease in water intake, and I plan to increase that ASAP. I've noticed my supply has had a slight decrease when I pump, and I'm hoping it will improve with the water increase. I have been planning to drop from 4 to 3 feedings/expressing sessions a day and only skipped one last week. Is this about the normal time for the period to come back? Does it mean my supply is dwindling? My baby still seems satisfied. I only nursed my son 6 months and my period returned when he was 2 months (I think due to starting bc pills), so things are different this time. Thank you in advance for any information. I wasn't regular before, so I'm hoping I may not have another for several months! :-)
sorry - I breastfed all my kids (for 10 months, 12 months and 2.5 YEARS) got my period back at 6 WEEKS each time... breastfeeding alone does not prevent periods and certainly doesn't prevent pregnancy!
You're normal. Nursed all six of my kids. My period came back at around the one-year mark.
you got over a year without it and are wanting more? be thankful! i breastfeed both of my boys. the first time i got my period back within months. the second at 6 months. be thankful!
be thankful for the break you got! i got my period back within THREE months with all three of mine, while exclusively breastfeeding! in fact, it is SO bad and heavy that i am having ablation surgery NEXT WEEK, and i am STILL nursing.
I have breastfed all of my kiddo's and I was period free for at least a year, but it did comeback before weaning. It seemed to depend on my amount of nursing. I would notice that I nursed just as often, but maybe not as long. Sadly, when it came back, it was back. Sympathies girlfriend!
My period came back at just over two months (no bc pills or anything) with both of my babies and did not cause any change in milk supply. My son nursed until 22 months. My daughter is still nursing at 12+ months. It's nothing to worry about.
You can nurse for 2 years or more and the baby will be satisfied. But you will by nature decrese the number of feedings per day and still have plenty of milk. But the periods start up anytime the number of feedings go down and you can get pregnant during this time, so be aware. Finger foods could be started such a non sweet cherrios, cooked peas, squash, zuchinni, brown rice, etc. Steam in micro and mash, then freeze in ice cubes. Pop out and warm when needed. Good Luck!
I breastfed my older 2 until they were one. My period became regular again with my oldest when she was about 9 months old and with my second when he was FIVE months old! BOO! I'm still nursing my 11.5 month old 4 times a day and my period has been regular since about 9 months. Consider yourself lucky...and TOTALLY normal!
My cycle came back 9 months after nursing and I nursed my baby until she was 2. It was about the same with all 3 children. It was a bummer, I so loved not having one.
I nursed both my sons for a long time (2+ and 3+ years). For both, my period came back when they were 18 mos. old. It is very, very individual. Sometimes the flavor of your milk can change and the volume can change due to the hormones, but it should overall not impact your milk supply. I would just recommend you keep it up and let the baby nurse at their own pace as extended breastfeeding is healthy for both you and the baby - in particular given that we're getting into flu season. Interestingly, both my sons weaned on their own in the Spring. Also, over time the baby will nurse less and less frequently and they can sometimes go a month between feedings before they stop altogether.
Just one warning, which you may already know, but might help others is that you can ovulate before your period returns, so please don't count on this for BC.
I nursed both my boys for a year, and with both my periods came back around the 6 month mark. My oldest, it was right after he started solids and my nursing frequency decreased; with my second, I had not even started solids yet (but was about to), and it came back around the 5 1/2 to 6 month mark.
