Breast Feeding & Periods...

[angel.ricky]

Is it true that Breast Feeding makes you not have your period? I heard from a lady at work that she was shocked when she found out she was pregnant because she hadn't had a period for the entire time she was breast feeding her 7-month-old son.

[Bec caV]

Breastfeeding CAN cause you not to have a period, but it's no guarantee. Some women never get their period the whole time they breastfeed, some women start getting it when the baby starts sleeping through the night, some women get it 6weeks or so after giving birth even though the breastfeed. There's no telling what will happen, so always assume you're fertile. I started getting mine when my son was 5 months old (meaning when he started sleeping through the night when he was 4 months old I ovulated).

[lismom2]

It also has a lot to do with night nursing. DS is 8 1/2 months (and still no period!! woo-hooo!!). But I could ovulate at any time, so some form of family planning is still needed ;)

[angel.ricky]

Thanks for your insight ladies, I just don't want to be taken off gaurd by anything more than what I already am! ;-)

[Jill_at_StorkRadio]

It is true but my mw said that also doesn't mean you can't get pregnant while BF -- so if you don't want another baby you may want to still think about BC options.

[freckles]

Yes you can get a period while you are nursing, but this is a small majority of moms. Normally, women don't get it though.

I nursed all of my children for one year and am still nursing my youngest at the moment. I had my period 3 months after delivering EACH child.....dang that sucked!

[ladyc]

I have a sort of related question. Did anyone's periods change (in # of days or heaviness) after given birth or after breastfeeding? After my first baby and now after my second I have completely different periods-very long and heavy. I am wondering if things will get back to how they were before or if this is the new status quo. I breastfed both for a year and got pregnant the 2nd time when my first was a year so I didn't have a chance to find out if things would get back to normal. Has anyone else had this experience?

[dd]

I have been breastfeeding for 6 months, and I only got my period for the first time after childbirth last month. That is because I started taking the Pill, though. My doctor told me that breastfeeding is a good form of birth control for the first 3 months, but after that you should use something else. She said just because you don't get your period doesn't mean you can't get pregnant. Ovulation comes BEFORE the menstruation. So you could be ovulating and you wouldn't even know it until you've gotten your period, then it might be too late, if you know what I mean!

[thechestnutmare]

I am on my period right now and I am breastfeeding a three month old. ;)

[allisonb]

I'm still breastfeeding my daughter, who just turned 1, and still haven't had a period. Can't say that I mind, but I know that you can start ovulating before your period comes back. I am taking the progesterone free b/c because I was warned by my OB that I could be pg again sooner than I wanted if my DH and I weren't careful, period or not.