Return of periods after breast feeding

[fells]

I know there other threads on this but they haven't really answered my questions. My nearly 10 month old was breast fed exclusively (apart from the introduction of solids at 5 months) until about 6 weeks ago. I have spent the last 6 weeks very gradually phasing bf out, dropping a feed every 10 days ish, and am now down to one morning feed a day and have been for the last week or so. I'm actually really sad about giving up! Is my milk likely to dry up eventually?

Also, when did other mumsnetters periods come back? Have had the feeling for the last week or so that my period is about to put in a appearance as have had some mild cramping and a general feeling heaviness in my lower abdomen.

I really want a period (weird I know!)as it took well over a year for my periods to get back to normal after I came off the pill (dianette). It took about 8 months to conceive dd as we didn't start trying immediately I came off the pill.

This time next year it would be nice to be pregnant again but this could be difficult if periods aren't back to normal.

What experiences have other mumsnetters had?

[TicTacsMum]

Period returned when dd was 4 months - a couple of weeks after she found her thumb and didn't need me for suckling.

[bourneville]

My period returned just before my 6 wk check up! (even though I exclusively bf till 14 mo) I told the HV i was v concnered cos i was still bleeding and she asked a couple of questions then replied "that'll be your period then!" i was so i had just forgotten what it was like!

don't know about drying up, months after weaning I could still squeeze a drop out myself! I do know that once dd was down to only bedtime feed, i got back an awful light headed tingly feeling that i had (and HATED) at the beginning. so unlike you I was v happy to give it up!

[foundintranslation]

Mine were back 6 months almost to the day after ds' birth - despite still exclusively bf at that point, including night feeds.

The less you feed, the more your supply will dwindle - the more gradually you do it, the kinder it is to your breasts. You don't have to give up, though, if both you and your baby want to carry on! :)

[CristinaTheAstonishing]

Are you asking about experiences of milk drying up, when the period arrived, or how quickly after you can become pg?

[MarsLady]

Mine came back when the children were 18 months (except the DTs... then it came back at 16 months)

[FrannytheGazelle]

My periods came back just before ds was a year old, I think.

As for the milk thing, I had a friend who said she could squeeze out a few drops for literally years and years after breastfeeding. I have heard other mothers say their children themselves have said "Mummy there's nothing there" at some point along the process of gradual weaning as you are doing. However if you continue with one feed a day I think your supply would continue indefinitely. Your supply will be well established now and there is no reason for it to stop, unless your dd stops feeding.

[lua]

AF came back about a month after I completely stopped bfing.
Milk continue to be available on demand even when I was down to only one regular bf a day...
hth

[PiccadillyCircus]

With DS my periods came back exactly 4 weeks after I last breastfed him. And for the last few weeks he was only be fed once a day at most.

[fells]

Cristina - I'm asking about all three things! Thanks for your replies everyone! So is there no reason to be concerned that my periods haven't yet returned?

Btw, I would really recommend the gradual phasing out of bf - ie dropping a feed once a week. I have had no dscomfort at all.

I would also like to add that although i don't very often post messages on mumsnet I have found it a real support while bf. It is so useful just being able to scan through the topics to find advice. Thanks mumsnetters!

[Goldfish]

I was still b/f ds1 at 6 months old, had never had a period since having him, but fell pg with ds 2 anyway. I carried on feeding ds 1 for about another month while pg, had ds2 and fed him until he was 14 months. I never had a period for 3 years straight.