please pat my hand I am feeling pathetic

[blossombath]

I would like to start by saying I know this is a very mild thing compared to many of the painful and emotional problems on this board. Really just after reassurance I'm not crazy and maybe a gentle prod towards normality.

Got my first period today nearly 8mo after birth of pfb. Taking this as a sign that he is reducing his milk intake which is good I guess as it means he's starting to get solids and also he is sleeping a bit better at night, therefore less feeding then too. But it makes me feel rather sad and 'end of an era' esque.

Obviously am hormonal, and DH is away on long work trip which doesn't help. It feels like one part of my life as a new mum is ending and although I don't miss the painful feeds, drippy boobs, cluster feeding etc etc etc, I do miss the tiny sleepy cuddly baby and his shiny milky face after those early feeds, and the feeling that it was me alone sustaining him.

Am I the only one who feels this kind of pathetic nostalgia? Please join me in being emotional, or tell me (kindly) to not be silly. Also, bit of random pfb worry here, is it too soon for his milk intake to be dropping? Will he self wean next and I'll be left with no milk cuddles at all?

[AlreadyScone]

Of course that's not silly. It stirred me up both times that my periods came back whilst breastfeeding my DCs. I used to love the thought that my babies were made of nothing but me (oh and a microscopic contribution from DH!)

Don't underestimate the unholy cartload of hormones that have been released too, and their effect on your emotions.

Mine restarted at about the 8/9 month mark both times, and yes, it was also marked by a reduction in intake, but it was not the beginning of the end, either. Just a new phase with other lovely things to enjoy.

Congratulate yourself on a job well done!

[AlreadyScone]

...just want to clarify, my babies weren't EBF until the 8/9 month mark... I amended "made of nothing but me" to "made of nothing but me and pears" then "me, pears, and sweet potato" - eventually stopped adding to the list after a fortnight or so...

[fluffacloud]

to you blossom

I don't think you're being pathetic at all, although you might be over thinking things a bit.

My dreaded periods returned 9 weeks after DD2 was born - she was (and still is) BF every 2-3 hours during the day and 3 times between 8pm and 6am!

I got very soppy when DD1 started wearing proper pjs to bed instead of sleep suits, oh, how I cried [hblush]

[ISeeThreadPeople]

Nowt wrong with being emotional over your baby getting older. But I wouldn't get too emotional about what your period coming back means in terms of reduction or significance. That's your period talking. At the 8 month mark you'll probably still find that you have periods of intense feeding (growth spurts, teething, illness etc). You still provide the bulk of calories through bm and will do until 12 months. You also provide nurture, attachment, confidence, stability, love, consistency and a thousand things besides. And you'll do this forever.

My periods came back when my dd was 12wo and still feeding almost constantly. DS slept through from being very tiny and they didn't come back until 12 months with him. It can mean bugger all! And in most cases you only need a gap of 6hrs with no feeds in order to ovulate. I needed no such thing first time round. They came back regardless.

[diyqueen]

I wouldn't worry about him self-weaning. Dd is still breastfeeding enthusiastically at 19mo (perhaps a little more enthusiastically than I'd like sometimes!), and my periods came back 10 months ago... I'm not sure it's completely connected with the amount of milk the baby's having, dd was still feeding at least every 2 hours day and night at that point.

The next stage of development is wonderful, watching them get mobile, start communicating etc. - I'm enjoying dd as a toddler far more than as a baby.

And, well, if you're missing the newborn stage you are of course now in a position to think about starting all over again....!

[blossombath]

at crying about pyjamas Fluffa, I suspect I will do the same

Thanks for hand patting ladies, feeling better now and you're right DIY we could start all over again now...hmmm, maybe I don't miss the sleepy cuddles quite that much. Yet.