If your periods came back while you were still bf-ing, was your baby "fussy" when feeding when you had your period?

[Caz10]

Goodness I'm sure I could have worded that better!

Anyay, dd is almost 8mths, still ex-bf and my bloody periods have come back.....

Since it started I can't get her to feed much, keeps popping off and crying, and I seem to remember reading somewhere here that this is normal?

Is it hormonal, does my milk taste different or something?

Thanks!

[aurorec]

Mine came back at about the same time as you, and I can't recall it made any difference.

Sorry not very helpful, I'm sure someone else will be able to help you more.

[scorpio1]

My baby is always fussy around period time. Mine came back at 8 weeks

[Caz10]

aaargh scorpio, sorry, I shouldn't moan about 8 months!!

Found this on kellymom:

The return of menstruation does not mean the end of breastfeeding. The milk does not sour or "go bad" when you are having a period. The milk is no less nutritious when you are menstruating than when you are not. Some women do notice a temporary drop in milk supply in the days just prior to a period and for a few days into one. This is due to hormonal fluctuations. Once the period begins and hormone levels begin to return to normal, the milk supply will boost back up again. Most babies can compensate well for this temporary drop in supply with more frequent nursing.

Nipple tenderness occurs for some women during ovulation, during the days before a period, or at both times. Some mothers report a feeling of antisiness while nursing at these times, too. As with the drop in supply this is also hormonally influenced and therefore temporary.

Some babies may detect a slight change in the taste of the milk just before a period, again, due to hormonal changes. These same babies may nurse less often or less enthusiastically during this time as a result.

[PixelHerder]

Might she be dropping off as the supply has dipped slightly (or she's having a growth spurt and been drinking more) and she's getting frustrated?

Could you try expressing to a bottle and see if that makes a difference to how she reacts?

Mine returned at 4 months and I didn't notice any difference at all during periods, but she did used to drop off and cry a lot generally when she was younger (can't remember specifics of age etc now - but I think it was down to her being frustrated with lack of let down / flow)

[ChocolateHobnob]

Caz, mine came back at 5 months and exactly what you describe happened that time - oddly it hasnt happened with any of the periods since (she's now 9 months, still bf). Not sure why but just to reassure you it might not be like this every month!

[ShowOfHands]

Yes it happened with me when af returned at 4 months (exclusively bf day and night). DD is very fussy during my period. I also find I get blocked ducts at predictable times during my cycle, presumably because the supply drops slightly, dd feeds a ridiculous amount and I over-compensate and cause a blockage. It makes it more difficult certainly.

[fettle]

Caz - just to add that this happened to me too! periods came back much earlier than I thought they would exclusively breast-feeding (around 5 months - with DD they didn't come back for over a year, so was shocked this time with DS!). It did happen with every period with me, until I had the coil fitted and that seems to have settled it down!

You just have to perservere through it, I think - it should only last a few days at most (well mine did anyway!).

HTH

[Caz10]

Thanks!

She fed like a mad thing last night (zzz) so maybe that was her trying to up the supply.

Here's hoping for more sleep tonight!