when did your periods return?

[theidsalright]

Hi, bf Dd, who is 14months now. Periods have not returned. I feed her maybe 4times in the day when we are together.

I am giving myself the serious fear that I could be pregnant (aka a disaster). No, I can't bring myself to do a test.

Bf DS til he was almost 2, periods returned at 12 months.

Dd has been night weaned since 11months and spends 3days in childcare, but only in the last month.

C'mon, reassure me!

[minipie]

you can get pregnant without your period having returned... do a test!

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

About 18 months both times.

[DefiniteMaybe]

18 months with dd.

[SoupDragon]

About 3 days after my post-birth bleeding stopped with DD. I was mightily pissed off. Even with the boys is wasn't more than 2 months.

You have to do a test - it won't change anything but at least you'll know.

[HappyAsASandboy]

18 months for me. I was still feeding DTs about 4 to 6 times a day each, mostly during the night. So periods can return even if feeding a lot and during the night.

If you've been using contraception then it's likely you're not pregnant and your periods just haven't returned. If not, then it really is anyone's guess!

Pee on a stick, go on!

[SoupDragon]

I'm not convinced that bf-ing a night weaned child who is in childcare 3 days a month is reliable contraception.

[Fairylea]

I have never breastfed either of my dc but I have a medical problem which means I have prolactin levels similar to a breastfeeding woman, and I produce breastmilk. Believe me when I say producing breastmilk even with extremely high levels of prolactin (as in feeding very regulalrly) does not mean you won't get pregnant!!

All it means is ovulation may not be as regular as before.

That's all.

You must continue to use contraception whilst breastfeeding if you don't want to become pregnant as you could ovulate at any time, lots or not at all.

I became pregnant 10 months ago... ds ison the floor next to me and my prolactin is in the 3000s. (Very high even for a breastfeeding woman, normal range for non breastfeeding women is 80-200).

As someone who knows all the ins and outs of it I am always surprised by how many women think breastfeeding acts as a contraceptive. It doesn't.

[theidsalright]

Sorry I've bot been clear.

I have been using two methods of contraception. 1) sex about 5 times in 14 months 2) condoms

My query was in wondering when other people's periods have returned. I think I've added too much extra info!

[lottieandmia]

When I breasfed my periods didn't return for well over a year but when I ff it was much quicker - about 4 weeks iirc.

[minipie]

ah classic mumsnet, not answering the question. sorry!