Exclusive BFs of more than 2 children: I have a question

[WoTmania]

I've posted in Feeding but no replies.
Voila the copied and pasted post. Sorry if it's a little convoluted. I'm tired. If any one has had it happen could you reply to me please.

Brief background: I haven't had a period since the one before I became pregnant with DS1.
I would have had a period when DS1 was 9.5 months and DS2 was 12.5 months but I seem to have managed to get pregnant on the first ovulation each time. Hence no period.
DD is 4.5 months and I've been assuming that my periods will return round about a year or maybe later. Basically assumiong that it takes longer each time for your periods to return.
Also, DD is still exclusively BF. We cosleep and DS2 is also nursing (sometimes 7-8 times a day). so I never go more than a couple of hours without one or the other plugged on.
Am I being hideously naive in belief that my periods will take longer than before to come back? Has anyone else had them come back sooner with DC2,3, or even 4?

[flamingobingo]

They may well take longer, but not inevitably, and not necessarily by very much.

For me it was

DD1 (obv. only feeding one baby): 7m
DD2 (tandem feeding): 11m
DD3 (tandem feeding): 11m
DD4 (only feeding one): nothing yet and she's nearly 10m.

[WoTmania]

thanks

[WoTmania]

I'm just getting woozey low blood pressure type stuff and heartburn and am terrified I could be pg. I would love another but a)DH says no(and had a vasectomy 2 months ago) and b) not this soon after DD. 4 under 4 isn't my idea of fun.

[KEAWYED]

I asked this question on the breastfeeding a few days ago, well nearly it was basically how long until your period comes back when BF. There are a few responses on there. hope it helps.

[CarGirl]

WEll

DD1 = ff
DD2 = bf until 20 weeks, hideous period followed then got pregnant (14 month gap)
DD3 = bf, period returned at 6 weeks I kid you not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
DD4 = bf, got mirena coiled popped in at 5 week pp, was not taking any chances

[rainbowdays]

For me af came back sooner with dd than ds'

DS1 af back at 4 months but not exclusively bf, occasional bottle of formula.

DD af returned 6weeks despite exclusively bf and no long gaps in feeds.

DS2 af back at 4 months.

Just to reassure you that each time the return of my af has felt just like early pg before af actually arrived. So it could be that your af might be arriving back earlier than expected. Obviously you do need to do a pregnancy test to rule out the possiblity that you are already pg.

[curiositykilled]

Think it varies hugely depending on your own body. I started ovulating after each baby reduced their feeds to 1 evening feed but it really depends on your own body. Do a pregnancy test and then choose a method of contraception if you don't want another baby just to make sure, is the only thing I could say. I presume that if your periods are suppressed by breastfeeding it'd probably depend on the amount of milk you were giving each day when they came back but you will ovulate before your first period.

[BottySpottom]

DC1 - breastfed until about 10.5 months, period came back at about 9 months I think, after I had dropped feeds.

DC2 - bf until 13 months, period came back after nearly a year I think

DC3 - bf until 2 - period came back after about 18 months I think

Sorry, I thought I would remember all these facts for years, but now it has come to it, it all seems a bit of a blur!

[PinkTulips]

dd.... preg at 9 months post partum with no period
ds1... periods returned at 12 months
ds2... 6 months and still no sign of period