Does BFing affect libido?

[Miffyandme]

Just that really. Not sure how much it is hormones from feeding, or just tiredness related to night feeds and early starts. We are working on the night feed issue.
Presently feeding at least 3 times in a 24 hour period, more like 4-5.

[Miffyandme]

Anyone got any thoughts?

[LBOCS2]

It definitely affects mine. Even when DD was sleeping through my sex drive was much lower until she weaned.

[Haggisfish]

Yes ime until my periods came back (19 months). Also causes vaginal dryness.

[Miffyandme]

Thanks, I had a feeling it was related. Better not tell DH then! He thinks it's related to being tired so is being very helpful with night wakings.....

[plannedshock]

First time-all fine
Second time-zero libido and really dry! All good once I stopped, just a dry spell (literally) for a year

[Miffyandme]

Planned, same here, wonder if it's my body's way of ensuring I get some much needed sleep!

[Junosmum]

My consultant gynaecologist told me is does. Also causes vaginal atrophy (thinning of the vaginal walls) and dryness. Yippee.

Another thing you don't get told about breastfeeding

[Haggisfish]

You can get oestrogen cream to help with the vaginal symptoms.

[FurryWalls]

Yep. Zero libido here.

[Writerwannabe83]

Me and DH didn't have sex until about 13 months after DS was born, I had absolutely no libido whatsoever.

To be honest, I then sort of made myself have sex because I felt so sorry for DH. I enjoyed it whilst having sex but actually wanting to do it in the first place? No.

DS is 2yr 2m and still breast feed about three times every 24 hours and I still don't have my libido back.

DH is thankfully super understanding but I do feel sad about how our sex life is these days.

[Haggisfish]

I'm the same as you, writer. My libido is back to normal now and dh can access my nipples as normal, unlike when I was bf and couldn't bear them being touched.

[BadgerFace]

Yes mine is non-existent whilst breastfeeding!

[Luckystar1]

Yep me too. I have no libido when pregnant or breastfeeding. DS was conceived then I was pregnant, breastfeeding for 15 months, got (miraculously) pregnant when DS was 12 months, so we're back in the zero libido zone... Poor, poor DH!

[angelicjen]

It makes me feel so touched out that I can't stand the thought of sex. I do try every now and then as I know it's important for our intimacy and it's always great when I relax into it. But most of the time I'm too knackered and trying to grab sleep between feeds.

[Miffyandme]

It's the feeling of being "touched out" plus just no actual feelings of wanting it, rather than anything physical. I enjoy it when I relax and make the time for it. (Shutting out any thoughts like "hurry up, I could be having some sleep").
I think my BFing days may be coming to an end soon, I'm really struggling with little hands lifting my top or going down my top, and the tickling and tweaking. I try to be "present" and "enjoy it as a phase that will pass" as I have read on forums about breastfeeding toddlers, but I struggle with sitting there with one hand over my other boob, or holding away a wandering hand. Again, good to know I'm not the only one, as the folk I know breastfeeding past one year old are definitely not the sort I could say these sort of things to. Or admit to doing a teensy bit of night weaning / sleep training.

[CutYourHairAndGetAJob]

I'm the same, I think it's a combination of tiredness, feeling touched out, and hormones. And the fact that ds is sleeping in our bed!

It does pass though - my libido started to come back when dc1 was about one and my periods returned.

[Writerwannabe83]

Breast feeding a toddler is a nightmare. I also hate having his hands up my top, down my top, in my bra, groping, rubbing, tweaking, grabbing at me all the time etc It is so tiring and mentally/emotionally draining.

Sometimes I want to scream "Wont you just f**king leave me alone for two bloody minutes!" when he's man handling me for the 50th time that day.

I sleep trained and night weaned when DS was about 10 months which worked like a charm but over the last few months the night feeds have started creeping back in again and I'm just too tired to address it really.

This is what makes me laugh when people imply that women breastfeeding toddlers are just doing it for their own needs because I'm pretty sure most women breast feeding toddlers get bloody pissed off with it at times

[MoonriseKingdom]

Almost zero libido until stopped breastfeeding DD at 14 months. Then rapidly got up the duff again (TTC but hadn't expected such quick success!) so back to no interest.

I guess that this along with suppressing ovulation gave women a bit of space between pregnancies pre the invention of contraception and formula. Although people had large families I don't think people generally had as many children as the Radcliffes (18!!) on that channel 4 show. Pretty sure she doesn't breast feed.