Period and Breastfeeding

Got my period six weeks postpartum with all 3 of my children. Then every 28 days thereafter. Fertile Myrtle! Some of us just aren't as lucky as other breastfeeding moms, sorry!

Congratulations on the birth of your baby!

My period returned in 2-3 months as well while I was nursing my daughter. I think my supply dropped ever so slightly during my period, but returned to "normal" once it was over.

There is one good thing...you KNOW that you are ovulating...so don't forget to use some form of birth control!

Dear F.,
I had no difference with my nursing. It was natural and my period was lighter. I know that nursing was one of the best things that I did for my children and myself.
Enjoy motherhood,
E.

With my first 4 kids my period didn't begin again until they were 6 months (at the time I began feeding them cereal), however with my fifth (he's now 6 months) my period began when he was 3 months and he's still not eating food. The best advice I can give you is to increase your water. You lose more fluids during your period. You don't need to go crazy with the water, maybe just another 8-16 oz/day. The only thing I noticed was my milk supply would decrease a bit, therefore the increased fluids.

Congrats and best of luck with your new baby!

Aunt Flo came back to visit me right after my PP bleeding finished (yeah, it pretty much sucked). My supply does drop a little for about a week or so just before and in the first part of it. AF can cause your milk to taste different, so your LO may be a little fussy, or look at you strang when nursing. It isn't anything to worry about. You will likely notice that just before AF visits your LO will start nursing a lot more, and then will taper off after a day or two.

Also, it is normal to have a period, and then not have another for a few months. For some women it just goes back to normal, and for others it is irregular till they are finished BFing, still others never get it back till a few months after they are completely done. All these are normal, and are not cause for concern.

Oh, I know exactly what you're going through!!!
I got my cycle back very quickly w/ both kids. It was back by around 8 wks, probably w/ my first (I went on the Mini-Pill @ 5 wks). I nursed her till she self-weaned at 23 mos though.

With my son, I went right from postpartum bleeding to my period, so I'm not sure exactly when I got it. Early on though! And this was despite doing everything "right".--Nursing on-demand around the clock, co-sleeping, baby-wearing..... My body just wanted me to hop to it & make more babies! (Little did it know that he was our last, so there was no rush at all!). He's 27 mos though & still nurses a few times a day.

Your supply really comes down to supply & demand. The more that is demanded, the more you'll supply. There are things that you can do to boost your supply if need be (ie: Fenugree, oatmeal, etc...) but I wouldn't worry about that. You can always check out www.KellyMom.com for more info and go to LLL meetings for extra support & info! I can't say enough good things about LLL!!!

Good luck!

i was one of he lucky ones (j/k) that got my period immediately after giving birth & during breastfeeding......this was with all my pregnancies.......out of any of my friends i dont know anyone else that got their period during nursing...congrats on your new baby

Same thing happened to me. My daughter started sleeping 8 hours through the night at 2 months and I got my period. The only thing i've noticed differant is when I have it, I feel like I have less milk and she becomes a little frustrated with the boobies! Soon as it's over, were right back to normal.

It changes the taste of the milk... Not the end of the breastfeeding just changes the taste for a little... So be prepared for that... Other than that, no real issues....

Yep, same thing happened to me! It didn't affect things too much, although I felt like my milk supply was down when I had my period. I did some pumping as well as nursing and I had trouble pumping during that time. But just stick with it! Congrats on your baby!

Yes, just did. At 2 months. It did not affect breast feeding at all. Same as always, going well.

I got mine about that time also, i noticed it slowed my milk supply a lot :(