When Does Aunt Flo Return?

Hi-

I was kinda disconcerned when I reached the year mark and wasn't regular- especially when my OB/Gyn asked me to take a pregnancy test (YIKES- not ready for another one...yet). But after the weeks of post-birth flow, I was happy for my reprieve, too.

I had a shadow period at 9 months, then didn't get another until I had weaned totally at 13 months. Our situation was a little different, my son was loosing interest except at bedtime, then one day he fell and chipped a front tooth. Because 1) he now has a weak spot, 2) cavities can form easier, 3) dental work is super hard on toddlers (must be fully sedated), and 4) that sharp edge hurt! We weaned rather abruptly.

After the OB/Gyn scare, I went on the ring.

Not sure if it was due to weaning, birthcontrol, or my own body, but my first period was a doozy. New simptoms, not unlike early labor: backache, extreme crampiness, huge clotty flow. I remember telling my uterus to calm down!

I'm going to an acupuncturist now, and she's helping to regulate. I would not recommend hormonal birth-control for your fledgling period!

Best of luck,
Erika

I got a visit from AF after 2 years with both of my kids. It was so weird not having one, but then again a welcome break, lol.

T.
Founder
http://usa.theparentpack.org

I think when you slow your breastfeeding down it will return...I breastfed my first son for 12 months but those last few months he was weaning himself off and I think it returned after about 10-11 months (but again, I wasn't breastfeeding as much as before). You are probably fine, but it doesn't hurt to ask! Oh and beware that first 1-2 cycles can be real doozies!

Hey E., I just asked this question too. The only difference is I stopped breastfeeding three months ago (when my son was 8 months old) and still no sign of the Aunt coming back to visit. I would think because you are still breastfeeding you are ok, it has to do with a hormone level in your body. I know I feel bad complaining about where is my period???? I should just enjoy it but it's just so strange.

I breastfed my son for seven mo. and didn't have one until around five mo. after he was born. After my daughter was born, she breastfed for a little over nine mo. and it was about seven or eight mo. that I started having a period again. I was very regular pre-pregnancy, but don't know if that has anything to do with it or not.

Different bodies, different responses to hormones, etc. make for different start times. A year seems a long time to me, but I'm not an OB/GYN. Ask your Dr. at your annual. Hormones can be tricky little buggers!

Yes everyone is different... I am exclusively breastfeeding as well and I got my cycle back 3 WEEKS after delivery! How unfair is that? lol

It's different for everyone. I got mine when my daughter was 6 mo (on April Fools Day.) It lasted 3 days and I haven't had one since. I guess my body just has a sense of humor.

Consider yourself lucky. I think everyone is different. My son will be 8 months tomorrow and I have now had it twice in a week...I have been exclusively breastfeeding all 8 months too.

I breastfead both of my kids exclusively as well. For the first one I got it 3 months after birth. The second one was 4 months.

Since it HAS been 12 months for you, go see your OBGYN. It is time for that extra-special fun event: Your "yearly girly" anyway. You can talk about any concerns you have with your doctor.