Hi! I'm exclusively breastfeeding my 14 week old son. I had 2 periods, one when he was 6 weeks, and one when he was 9 weeks. Now it seems that my period has stopped again. Is it possible/normal for periods to start and stop like this when you're breastfeeding?
This is totally normal!! NO worries. Keep on breastfeeding and enjoy your babe!
Erratic periods are common while breastfeeding. I didn't have a period for the first year of breastfeeding my son. If you are concerned, however, call your OBGYN. It NEVER hurts to ask!
Congrats on your baby! The bleeding sounds totally normal to me. I wouldn't worry about it. You might want to write the start date, duration and amount of flow on your calendar, so that if you have concerns as time goes on, you'll have the info for your gynecologist. It's probably not going to be necessary, but if it makes you feel better and gives you one less thing to remember, that's a good thing! This erratic stuff can go on for a while.
I worked for years in women's health care, and I can't tell you how many women we counseled during this time - so many got pregnant in the first few months even while breastfeeding, others were so nervous about the erratic bleeding, and so on.
It's not clear whether you are actually ovulating or not, but you should assume that you are and therefore fertile. Since things are erratic, you can't have any idea about timing of ovulation. This can be a stressful time if you're worrying about getting pregnant (and about knowing if you are!) so take whatever precautions you feel are warranted, and enjoy your little guy!
First of all, congratulations on your new bundle, and your decision to breastfeed!! I had erratic periods the whole time I breastfed (10 mo.), but I do agree with Julie, that 6 weeks is a little early. Not something to be worried about so much, but I think she was right in that you were doing too much too soon. It is just your bodies way of saying "slow down, i'm not ready yet". It happened to me a couple times like that. Another possibility is starting sexual activity. I would get bleeding after every time too. Unless your periods are very heavy, or last for an unusually long time, I would say you are ok. Of course, you could/should call your dr. if you are worried at all. Just put those tired feet up any chance you get, you'll have plenty of time to be chasing your little one around.
N. this is actually normal. The hormones your body produces when you are breastfeeding are similar to those when you are pregnant so you may not get your period at all while you breast feed. Mine was like that with both of my children when I breast fed. It may also depend if you are on a bc pill like the mini pill. But double check with your ob.
Hi N.,
If you are exclusively breastfeeding, it isn't uncommon that you don't have a period. As long as your body is producing a certain amount of milk, it actually suppresses your period. I breastfed my second until she was 17 months and didn't menstruate the entire time. The month after I stopped breastfeeding, my regular cycle returned. If your regular cycle returns while you're exclusively breastfeeding, it may mean that your body has begun to produce less milk. I don't think you have any reason for concern but if you want reassurance, give your GYN a call. Good luck and enjoy your baby. They grow up much too quickly!
6 weeks is very early I think to have gotten your period. Usually right after your baby is born you will bleed if you do too much to your body (walking around too much, sex to early, not eating enough, etc...). It sounds to me that you may not have gotten your period yet at all, but may have done too much too soon each time you bled. Having said that, if it is your period, yes it can come erratically when you first get it after a baby is born. I do not think it has to do with breastfeeding. Though when breastfeeding exclusively you should get your period later than if bottlefeeding due to hormones.
that sounds similar to what happened to me. I had 2 periods in those first two months, although I think one of them might have been just passing some clots. Then my period didn't come back until my daughter turned 7 months- even though I was still breastfeeding.
I didn't get my period back until my daughter's first birthday, to the very date.
