Breastfeeding, no periods, any point in TTC

[hidegoseek]

DD is 22 weeks and exclusively breastfed, my periods have not returned.

Due to her having a suspected cows milk protein intolerance I'm planning on breastfeeding until at least 12 months old but will hopefully obviously be cutting down on feeds once she's on solids.

We're considering a small age gap but am not sure if there is any point in going through the stress of TTC before my periods return - it took 18 months and a MC to get DD so not expecting it to be quick the 2nd time around.

I know breastfeeding isn't 100% as contraception but has anyone actually fallen pregnant deliberately with no period?

[Sillyoldme]

Hello, Can only tell you my experiences, but my periods returned when DC was 9ish months old and took a few months to get into a pattern. Not sure I ovulated all cycles - am now pregant (Yipee!!! and DC 14 months old). However, we did BLW and until we stopped night feeding (of her own accord around 8 months) and the amount she started eating was increasing, no chance of a period for me. But, everyone is different. A Pal of mine fed every 2 hours day and night and got her periods back at 4 months so everyone is different. I would just say, keep trying in the knowledge that until the BF reduces you prob wont be fertile, then its a bonus if you get a happy surprise!

HTH

[hidegoseek]

Thanks silly, I guess just keeping it low key and seeing what happens is the best way to go but I'm not very good at that

congrats on the pregnancy.......

[Sillyoldme]

You could always try OPKs or a clearblue pertility monitor if you want to see if you are ovulating? Expensive though!

[thegauntlet]

come join us on the thread#2 TTC whilst bf.

It is really exciting. Lots of graduates already- hence why they started a second thread.. No such luck for us yet..although I am thinking very positively and I am feeling a little symptom or two.. my dd is nearly 8months, and I am just feeding morning, 5pm, 7pm and twice in the night

[Beveridge]

I'm 22 weeks pregnant with DC2 and conceived without having had a period after my first baby - DD1 was 15 months old but I was still breastfeeding on demand. DH and I stopped using contraception when DD1 was 10 months and then left it in the lap of the gods!

The month I conceived, I had suspicions that I was ovulating (EWCM, etc.) but what I thought was a very light period after this turned out to be bleeding from a cervical erosion as I was actually pregnant.

So, when any midwife askes me when the date of my last period, I can honestly reply 'August 2008'!

[hidegoseek]

Thanks for the invite gauntlet, it's going to be the end of March before we throw caution to the wind but will hopefully join the thread then - hopefully you'll be pregnant by then

Beveridge that's the type of story I like