Is there a way to jumpstart your cycle while BFing?

AggieCouple · January 2011

I'll ask my OB the next time I see her, but I wanted to inquire here if anyone was successful in getting their cycle back while BFing, and try to do some pre-research.

TIA

EdithBouvierBeale · January 2011

I think Michelle Duggar may have a line on this...why don't you guve her a holler?

KRISTA555 · January 2011

Are you wanting to TTC? No flames here if you are, it's just that BF while pregnant is rough from what I hear.... and I guess docs don't recommend it. I'm not an expert though....

AggieCouple · January 2011

No, not TTC. In fact, we will be done after this one. I just hate the way I feel until my cycle returns, including the sex. My hormones are just wacky in general, it seems, until AF comes back.

EdithBouvierBeale · January 2011

I bf'd through half of my second pregnancy without issue.

If you want to use birth control don't do the mini pill (I think it keeps your period away.)

both times I got my period back at 8 months.

I enjoyed the time off, though.

Purrrfect433 · January 2011

Nurse less than 8 times in a 24 hour period for the duration and you should get your period back. I don't think you'll be able to do this without compromising your supply or supplementing with formula, though. You'll have to decide which is more important, probably.

mollynpatrick · January 2011

Hmmm. I got my period when DS was 4 months (went on to exclusively BF him until he was 15 mo) and when DD was a little less than 3 months (BF for 10 months). Guess I'm just lucky Stick out tongue

ETA: I realize my post was not at all helpful to the OP but felt it was necessary to respond to the poster who said you would have to supplement. Not true for me!

Cbidt's girl · January 2011

mollynpatrick:
Hmmm. I got my period when DS was 4 months (went on to exclusively BF him until he was 15 mo) and when DD was a little less than 3 months (BF for 10 months). Guess I'm just lucky
ETA: I realize my post was not at all helpful to the OP but felt it was necessary to respond to the poster who said you would have to supplement. Not true for me!

me too. Bf exclusively, on demand, no formula for both kids. Period back, regularly at 6 months pp both times. Bf kid 1 for 18 months. Still bf kid2 at 19 months. Period came back the moment we started rice cereal. I wish it were gone longer

Purrrfect433 · January 2011

Presumably because you were no longer nursing every 2 hours, right? If you are trying to get your period back asap, you need to be sure not to nurse more than 8 times in a 24 hour period so your hormone levels can adjust. Many people get their periods back when their baby starts sleeping longer stretches at night, begin to eat solid foods, etc. This is why I suggested the possibility of supplementing. Not because there aren't people who exclusively BF and also have their period. There's a very good chance that if she is to choose not to nurse on demand that she will have supply issues and need to supplement. It's the nature of breastfeeding. Supply vs. demand, right?

bancbev · January 2011

I nurse/pump more than 8 times a day, my DD does not STTN, and in fact bedshares with me about 75% of the night, and has not started solid food yet, yet I got my period back when she was 3.5 months old. Sucks big time.

Thankfully I don't have any supply issues, except for a small reduction in pumping output the 3 days before my period comes.

shouldbworkin · January 2011

Sadly, I didn't feel myself and my drive didn't return with after I had both of my kids until I was 9 mos PP. I only BF #1 for 6 weeks and #2 for 13 mos. AF returned after 9 mos with #2 b/c she was eating solids well and not nursing as much. So, I wouldn't rely solely on AF returning.

BubblyToes · January 2011

Honestly? I wouldn't breastfeed if this was an issue for me. To accomplish this, you wouldn't be nursing as often as necessary for a newborn, so I assume you would be supplementing already.

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