Breastfeeding:Menstruation

How soon after birth will I begin my menstraul cycle if I breastfeed?

If you don't breastfeed your baby, your menstruation will return after about 5-8 weeks. Your menstruation may be irregular in the beginning, so it may take longer than your normal cycle for the second period to appear. Ovulation may return before menstruation, so be careful with regards to contracaeption

Breastfeeding and your menstruation
Breastfeeding delays menstruation. This can be a few months, but it could also delay your menstruation for over a year. Sometimes the menstruation will start `bumpy`, it could for example return once only to stay away for a few more months. The length of your cycle can also differ from the one you had before you had your baby.

When will it return?
It depends on several factors. The most important is your own body chemistry. This is different for all women. The second factor is the frequency of breastfeeding. The more you feed, the longer your menstruation will be delayed. As soon as you stop breastfeeding your baby during the night the menstruation will come soon as hormones that stop your menstruation are no longer produced as much as before.

Menstruation = End of breastfeeding?

Menstruation does not mean the end of breastfeeding. Your milk will keep its nutritious value, even during your period. De amount of milk during your period may drop a little, but this will return to normal after your period. The taste of the milk may differ during menstruation, and your baby may not like this. You may also have sore nipples during a menstruation.

Comments: Breastfeeding - Menstruation

Comments 26 to 49 of about 63.
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brightmoon008 - 194 days ago.
Well I guess that I have found my answer. Look at this posting. It happened to someone else! http://www.cafemom.com/dailybuzz/pregnancy/2297/Did_You_Wait_Six_Weeks_to_Have_Sex_After_Giving_Birth

brightmoon008 - 194 days ago.
My baby is 41/2 months old. After I had him I only had lochia for about 4 days heavy and 1 day light. I have not had ANY bleeding since. I was breastfeeding exclusively till about 3 weeks go when he stared on cereal due to reflux. With my other two children, my periods returned right after birth and I had my period even while breastfeeding. This time, we only waited 17 days pp before having sex (I KNOW...). I have extreme boughts of nausea, sore breasts now that progressively feel worse during breastfeeding, boughts of cravings, heightened sense of smell, gaining weight in tummy area...and other signs of pregnancy.. took a test but I don't rely on them since I have had problems with false negatives in the past even from blood tests. Anyway control line was dark and there was another light line very close to it. But maybe a shadow? Could I be pregnant from that early? thought I felt slight movement

Brodys Mommy - 196 days ago.
I've only had three periods since I've had my son. (he's five months old) My first two periods only lasted 3-4 days(and they come every 23-25 days). I got my 3rd period May 6th and I'm currently still on my period. Why is this lasting longer than the others? Could it mean that I'm prego or miscarry? I'm not on birth control or anything that would mess up my cycle.

vanessag7 - 202 days ago.
I'm still waitng for AF to return and have stopped night feeds 2 months ago. Anastasia is 6 months 2 weeks old. I was hoping to have another baby quickly and start trying for number two now but it seems I was dreaming.

lizzie287 - 224 days ago.
lilmama... The same thing happened to me when I was about 6 weeks postpartum. I thought I had finished bleeding, but then had it return for a few days then. It wasn't a period for me, and if you're exclusively breastfeeding it's highly unlikely (but not impossible) that it is for you either. :)

lilmamaaua - 224 days ago.
I'm breastfeeding exclusively and have a very good milk production. I gave birth 6.5 weeks ago and today was overly tired which isn't like me. I had lochia up until a few days ago and just now I noticed red blood when I went to the b/room. Period? Already??

mrs.cavey - 225 days ago.
Heyy.. I stopped Breastfeeding about a month ago and still no menstruation.. Does anyone know how long it usually takes to the come back?? Let me know on my page!!

pygmalin - 230 days ago.
Yes 26th of march...it has started to disapear again..which is great..butI am having huge breast feeding issues.my milk is disapearing even though he is attached to me 24/7..I am so disapointed...The Doc thinks he isn't sucking hard enough..due to the fact that he has an overbite..I am pumping and in one breast I can only get an ounce after 15 minutes on the second I can get about two...this went down from 2 and 4 since I brought him home...today I can not get hardly anything and he is not swalloing while nursing..I am a pacifer for him not milk...I am a bit sad by this I had to resort to a bottle today just to stop the serious hunger cry comming from him...I have tried everything..pumping after he feeds...increase water...increased my food intake...and still my milk is disapearing...Wheres a wet nurse when ya need her...lol :-)

Bri - 231 days ago.
26th of March? If so, it is probably just post bleeding but it could be a period but unlikely. Some women do get their periods back weeks after giving birth while breastfeeding but it's rare. Typically it around the same time as food is introduced because the amount of milk tends to decrease. Congrats on your new one! Good Luck with breastfeeding. It's a hard but very rewarding task! My son is now 17months and still going strong. Well, he feeds about three times a day and takes the cup other then that.

pygmalin - 231 days ago.
I had a C section On the 26th..I had the normal postpartum bleeding (semi normal) I thought it was going away..(sorry TMI) but it was the old stuff..well I woke up this morning and it was bright red again? Is this a mensis? Or is this regular post partum still..I should mention that I had An abnormal bleeding issue and was put on blood thinners about 4 hours after delvery..but I haven't had those for a week now.

kathy=^.^= - 232 days ago.
i got my period just about 2 weeks after i stoped the post partum bleeding! ive been having regular cycles every since about 36 to 38 days and my son is 7 months now.... havent been using any birthcontrol and still not pregnant so i guess i might not be 'O'ing...

Bri - 233 days ago.
Oh Honey! Congrats! My husband and I recently decided to start somewhat trying to get pregnant. My son is 17months and I've had mine back since 9 months. Now I'm obsessing. I hope I will get pregnant this month. It looks like my fertile days should be this coming week. We'll see at the end of the month. If not then oh well. We'll keep trying and may end up with a summer baby if it takes long.

mamacas26 - 233 days ago.
Just an update....since I came on here so many times complaining that my period hadn't come back and I wanted to ttc...well, I FINALLY got my period back last month, and two weeks later I became pregnant! So here I am, no complaints now! Oh yeah, my son was 14 months old when it came back...

BellaDae - 242 days ago.
My doctor prescribed the mini pill for me to use as a means of contraception as it is safe while breatfeeding. I'm 10 weeks postpartum and my menstrual cycles haven't returned. I would like to start taking the pill so we don't have to hassle around with condoms, but I fear this will start my cycles back up again. Anyone experience this or have any advice? I enjoyed my 9 months of no periods and hope to enjoy more time without them!

Emma285 - 243 days ago.
I am still breastfeeding my son who is nearly 9 months now, yet my period started exactly 5 weeks after he was born. The midwives and health visitors were surprised, but thought i must just be unlucky - and to be careful not to get pregnant. My mum had a similar thing with both me and my brother!

pregnantagain - 245 days ago.
Both of my children were breastfed only babies and my period started almost exactly one month after my 6 weeks of post-birth bleeding. They continued every 28-30 days with an occasional short cycle (3-4 days) but most lasting 5-6. I haven't met anyone else yet who has experienced the same, but my dr. just said I have to be careful not to get pregnant too soon since my body is apparently back to 'normal'. Bummer though. I was looking forward to a longer break from the monthly visits. :)

luvbeingamom - 246 days ago.
Shirls - I bf my son until he self weened at 15 months. He started solids at 8 months and at 12 months was getting 3 meals a day and bf 3 times a day. I got my first PP period at 13 months. It is very normal not to get it until you cut back on bf. I got mine back about 5 weeks after i stopped bf/pumping during the day. As for symptoms, From about 7 mo PP i would get a 'fake period'. I would go through all the symptoms of period/pregnancy and then after a week it would pass and come back about a month later. I would have mild cramping, my boobs would be sore, bloated, all the fun stuff! Enjoy it being gone while you can. Those frist few are crazy!

shirls - 246 days ago.
My daughter is 7 months old now, and I still haven't gotten my period back. I exclusively breastfed her, she won't even take a bottle. She has been sleeping through the night reliably for about 3 months now, around 10-11 hrs a night. She has started eating solid foods too. (Just pablum right now) How long did all of you take before you got your periods back? I'm starting to worry I might be pregnant, but I don't have any symptoms.

kebler98 - 264 days ago.
I wish I was as lucky as the women who didn't get their period for months after the birth of their lo. I got mine 2 weeks after I stopped bleeding from the birth. It would have been nice to still not have to worry about the cramping and bloated feeling and all the other stuff.....

JaguarEyes - 264 days ago.
Did anyone get their period back and then have it go away again? I got my period 10 weeks after my son was born, and had it for 2 months, very regular, 30 day cycles, and now it's been 7 weeks since I had a period! I took 2 pregnancy tests already, freaking out, but they said not pregnant. Should I take another or just wait? My son did start eating a lot more frequently a few weeks ago and waking up more during the night. Is it possible that he made my period stop again after it had started up? Any thoughts?

mamacas26 - 278 days ago.
I GOT MY PERIOD!!!!!!! I am over the moon! I hope that my body will now ovulate like normal , so that I can finally have a chance at becoming pregnant! I am so happy!

mamacas26 - 296 days ago.
Me again. Still no period. My son is now almost 13 months old. However, my face is starting to break out a bit, which hasn't happened for a long time..so maybe my hormones are starting to kick in? Let's hope so....

tasha1977 - 296 days ago.
I got my peroid 3 months post partum. I sure wasn't looking forward to it either. LOL

arca06 - 297 days ago.
Hi ladies, my baby girl will be 6 months on Sunday, and I got my period yesterday for the first time!!!! I was so shocked but I also went back to school full time and I am pumping to leave her milk with my MIL and she has also started solids, so I think the combo of everything made it come. I think it's cause she is not on me as much. I am okay with it except had a 'special evening' with hubby for our 3rd anniv tomorrow!!! guess it won't be as 'special' if you catch my drift!!! LOL, it's all good, myabe now I'll get my sex drive back!!! Just wanted to share!

shocked-over-3 - 300 days ago.
mythreebears~ I wouldn't worry about it.I personally got my period back at 4 months postpartum,but there's nothing wrong with going awhile without your period-heck,we do it while we're pregnant!! Your body will take care of itself and it's just using the hormones from breastfeeding to keep you from ovulating=no period. Lucky you:)