Periods

It is normal. Some women just have a stronger cycle than others. I have a friend who has two children and got her period 4 months after each child and she breastfed both children. I myself breastfed my son and got my period when he was 4 months old and breastfed until he was 7 months old.

Every woman and her body is different.

Try to google "web MD + breastfeeding + period", there is some good factual information there.

www.breastfeed-essentials.com/menstruation.html

www.medhelp.org/forums/Maternal/messages/35899.html

Yes it is totally normal to have periods while you are breast feeding. Since you are taking POPs I assume you know that the old wives tale that you can't get pregnant while breastfeeding is not true either. If you have not taken POP's before, just a little warning, they are not as "strong" as normal birth control pills and it is very common to have break-through bleeding while you are taking them. My cycle re-established itself about 10 weeks after delivery and it never changed to match the POPs. I had my periods in the middle of the packet of pills every month until I quite taking them. Good luck with everything.

I think it is "normal"... I have a seven month old, I am nursing him and just had my first period a few weeks ago. Although it was SUPER light... it was still a period.

Our bodies will all get back to a balance - some faster than others.

If you are truly concerned, I would just call your doctor and talk with a nurse or something.

This is very common. I got my period just 4 months after my 1st son was born and 3 months after my second was born. Some women get them back fast and some don't but it is perfectly normal! :) Breastfeeding does not always equal NO PERIOD for every woman! :)

C. Tai
Jockey Person to Person
Independent Comfort Specialist
www.comfortparty.com

Just a quick response to you period question... Everyone's body is different. My mother's periods returned two months after delivery even though she nursed well over a year...my sister-in-law's didn't return until her little one was 20 months and finally finished nursing, and I haven't had a period since before I became pregnant with my first child (I amd now expecting my third.) Everyone's bodies respond differently and have different hormone levels. You simply have to find out what your body is doing and become used to it. Variety in periods is as normal as variety in personalities.

-E.

In personal experience, it's different all the time. With my oldest son I didn't have a period until he was almost a year ( nursed til he was 13 months old) With my second son, I was till nursing and I had my first period at 9 months (both times I was on a low dosage mini pill). With my daughter, I think I started by the second or third month and she nursed A LOT!!

And I believe even with my periods they were kind of "iffy". Not coming at regular intervals (which was kind of scary wondering if I was pregnant everyone month!!)

So, all things considered. All our bodies are different, but if your doctor says you're okay, I'm sure you're fine.

OH GIRL! yes, it is normal, esp. if you are on that pill. i had like 5 periods in the first 3 months after having my daughter! i thought this is nuts! i was so mad, none of my friends had theirs! i actually went off the pill and haven't had one since. i was on the pill for endometriosis, but decided i didn't want to have periods every 2 weeks and cramping, i would rather take other precautions:)

DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT AT ALL...SOME MOM'S JUST DO..I HAD A PERIOD 28 DAYS AFTER I GAVE BIRTH TO MY FIRST DAUGHTER...I WAS FREAKED OUT AND CALLED MY DR. BECAUSE I HAD STOPPED BLEEDING FROM THE BIRTH AND THEN 8 DAYS LATER I STARTED MY PERIOD...I BREASTFED HER FOR 6 MONTHS...SOME PEOPLE LUCK OUT SOME DON'T...

Hey S.. I have had 2 boys and with both of them I started my period when they were 3 months old even though I nursed till they were a year. It isn't fair huh? But my doctor said it just happens with some women. Are you supplementing at all? I ahve heard that even the slightest amount of supplementing can trigger it to start. I also haev much heavier periods since having children but they are much shorter?? Pretty weird. Best of luck! J.

hi S. ~ i, too, got my period "early" while still breastfeeding. for me i had one the second month, skipped the third, then have had one ever since. i've done some research about this, and have concluded some mothers are just "lucky" enough to be blessed with having periods during this time. --take care! --J.

Those ladies are correct S.. Every woman is different. You unfortunately are alot like your mother with strong periods. They can be a challenge as life goes on.
If you are very concerned ALWAYS contact your doctor for advice. For now check the websites that were given to you. Web MD is another good site to read. http://onhealth.webmd.com/script/main/hp.asp

Love, MOM :)

Every body is different.... but yes some people have periods while nursing. I started mine at about 4months. just about the time we started cereal and the milk demand was down a little. this also means that you can now get pregnant again.. so make sure you are being careful.

I wouldn't worry about it. I think I had it with all three of my kids. Some woman don't have one at all until they stop but others (like me) had one regularly after the initial six weeks. It wouldn't hurt to call your doctor to ease your mind though.

Take care
G.

Hi -

I am not sure about the birth control that you're on (never heard of it myself) but I do know that you period can come back early when you're breastfeeding. I exclusively breastfed my two children until 6 months and continued after I started them on solids and my period came back when my son was 5 months and when my daughter was 3 months, respectively. It's different for every woman and with each pregnancy. For instance, I have a friend who didn't have her period for a year after giving birth even after she started her son on solids. I always tell my mom to make sure you're using some sort of birth control because it IS possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding - even before you get a period. I would say this is normal as long as they are "regular" periods. If you are having exceptionally heavy bleeding or cramping during your periods, then definitely call your OBGYN. Good luck!

L.

Me too S.. I have a 10 week old and had my period last week. I was very surprised as well. Good luck! M.

S....I know that you can have your period while you are nursing but it just depends how often you are nursing...if you are nursing full time (on demand) you shouldn't be starting yet. Mine started when I dropped one of my sons feedings. But if you are interested in more professional info on this and just your body in general, I have the greatest book called "Taking Control of your Fertility". It talks alot about natural birth control but also lots of info on a womans body that lots of women don't know.

Perfectly normal. I nursed all of my children, and restarted my periods anywhere from 4 months to 9 months. Each child varied in how long they nursed and if I supplemented, depending on circumstances. But I let them each nurse as desired until time to wean them. I had to go back to work early with one, but continued to pump, and then nurse in the evenings and night until she was close to a year. I had one that didn't like the taste of the milk when I was on my period, which I understand is common also.

That is normal to start at anytime...even if you're breastfeeding. I had my 1st period when my baby was 2 mo. old, and that was also after the 6 weeks postpartum bleeding. I'm also nursing, so that doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen. I think it is because I started up again on birth control pills and so they should regulates your cycle anyway...so I figured I'd have a period when I started pills again. You might ask your friend who hasn't started if she is using a pill or some other method. At least now you know you're "not pregnant" each month! For me, it's good to know things are back to 'normal' again.

i did not have a period while i was breastfeeding, but i didn't take birthcontrol til i was done with the breastfeeding. my ob said the pills may cause my milk to dry up and may make the milk taste a little funny. he also said it would probably make my period start. i h hope this is of some help. i would call my ob and ask a nurse.
N. k

Yes you can have periods and breastfeed. With all 3 of my kids I had a 3 month afterbirth flow, followed by a couple week break, then my regular every 26-28 day cycles started and progressively became exactly every 28 days after so many months (it was different amount of time with each child). I nursed my kids exclusively (no formula substitutions). Some women start to have periods after they begin the weaning process such as when they start solids or if they start to switch to some formula in addition to the breastmilk. If you have bleeding too often or too heavy for too long, then you should contact your doctor. Good luck!

Hey S.,

As my dr put it........Some are lucky some arn't! I didn't start my period until my daughter was 11 months old and I nursed until she was 13 months! It is perfectly normal! I would however mention it to your dr seeing as how you are on birthcontrol that is for breastfeeding and it doesn't supress ovulation, well from my knowledege it doesn't, and once your period returns it isn't as effective ( at least this is what I was told your dr my have other opinions), my dr wanted to know right away when I started! Good luck

S. J.

Yes it is very normal. It is also very normal to get pregnant while breastfeeding.