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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

how long for your periods to return after stopping breastfeeding?

36 replies

artisanroast · 26/03/2016 17:34

I am keen to conceive ASAP after stopping breastfeeding. I have exclusively breast fed (no formula at all) now we have purée at breakfast and lunch however this has not affected the volume of milk feed taken. I don't feel more full.

However... I want to ensure I am doing the best for the child I have before ttc the child I want to have. If that makes sense?

My daughter is 6 months and I plan to breastfeed until she is 9 months.

So, how long did it take after you stopped breastfeeding for you fertility/periods to return?

Thanks

OP posts:

NorthLondonMum83 · 07/04/2016 12:43

Watching with interest artisan am in exactly same position give or take a months or two. Super keen to conceive again and hoping that now we are dropping feeds will kick everything off again!

daisydalrymple · 05/04/2016 15:59

Dc1 fed till 12 mo, periods came back 11m
Dc2 fed till 21mo., periods at 17 m
Dc3 still feeding at 17mo, periods back at 15m

mrsmugoo · 05/04/2016 15:54

Mine came back at 8 months when I returned to work PT, I was still feeding but the large gaps obviously triggered my cycles.

I stopped 2 months later because I got dreadful nursing aversion when I was having my period (amongst other reasons).

BoboChic · 05/04/2016 15:43

My periods came back 6 weeks post partum even though I breastfed exclusively (for 6 months).

Original poster

artisanroast · 05/04/2016 15:38

thanks :)

OP posts:

Original poster

artisanroast · 05/04/2016 15:37

If things go to plan I may even tandem feed - a thought which really would not have even entered my head pre-baby!

We are still bf, still having feeds during the night and taking 2 'meals' per day - breakfast and dinner

OP posts:

Dellarobia · 05/04/2016 15:37

Just saw the update! Good luck with TTC

Dellarobia · 05/04/2016 15:36

My periods came back when I went down to 2 feeds a day, which was around 9 months ish.

Original poster

artisanroast · 05/04/2016 15:34

after starting this thread my period came back today!

my little girl is 28 weeks old

OP posts:

eurochick · 27/03/2016 08:50

Mine were back at 4 months even though my baby was still on 100% breast milk then. I felt so cheated!

clarella · 27/03/2016 08:48

It's variable for everyone.

I am still bf ds who is just over 3 and they came back when he was almost 2.

I know many women who ebf #1 and conceived #2 while still bf, periods returning within a few months (despite lots of bfing) and are now tandem feeding.

I know one woman who's periods were very very long in returning and she struggled to conceive (took ag castus I think in the end).

My friend who bf her daughter to 1 thought long term absent periods due to bf was a wives tale as hers came back so quickly!

underrugsswept · 27/03/2016 07:25

Mine came back pretty quickly; within a month or so of stopping I think.

Lightbulbon · 26/03/2016 20:42

Dc1 was 1/2 BF 1/2 formula from 2 months, started weaning at 5 months but period not back til 9 months (2 BF pd by then)

Dc2 gradually reduced from 6wks to no BF at 4 months and period back within the month.

Dc3 ebf 6 months, now BF 3pd no period

shutthebackdoor · 26/03/2016 20:35

Mine returned when I started weaning, DS is fed to sleep but has formula during day. I'm still feeding him to sleep but period returned at about 6 months

JasperDamerel · 26/03/2016 20:31

I breastfed for years, but my periods came back way 9 months each times. I breastfed DC1 throughout my pregnancy with DC2.

Luckystar1 · 26/03/2016 20:29

Haha yes very lucky! Best of luck to you.

Mind you if you saw my thread about my DS at the moment, you might wonder wtf I'm letting myself in for

Original poster

artisanroast · 26/03/2016 20:07

and please keep posting about when your periods came back.

the more info the better :)

OP posts:

Bluelilies · 26/03/2016 20:02

Mine started up 3 months after birth both times round despite 100% bf babies.

I think once you start weaning they're more likely to start up, even if you're still part feeding

Original poster

artisanroast · 26/03/2016 19:59

thanks ladies, this is brilliant.

Lucky, just as your name says you really are! I would love if things worked out for me the way they did for you :)

Its quite a good idea to start tracking ovulation again (I was never any good at tracking temp). I'll buy some cheap ovulation sticks.

I may try a 24 hour break too.

I am so desperate for my periods to come back. I have become a bit spotty recently so I was hoping it may be a change in hormones.

thanks again

OP posts:

Luckystar1 · 26/03/2016 19:18

Oh I was still breastfeeding when I got pregnant and until I was 12 weeks pregnant.

BertieBotts · 26/03/2016 19:08

They say that LAM - breastfeeding as contraception - is only trustworthy up to 6 months. So you might be OK to start trying now. I know a fair few people who got pregnant while still breastfeeding. It only suppresses ovulation up to a certain point.

It's also said that you can induce ovulation by taking a 24 hour break from breastfeeding (supply would survive that at this stage) or by introducing a large gap e.g. overnight (if you're lucky!) or during the day - nursery etc. The nursery reason might be the reason for the 9 month anecdotal "average".

It's also possible to track your temperature or use OPK type things to work out if you've started ovulating again even though you are still BF, then you don't necessarily have to stop.

BertieBotts · 26/03/2016 19:04

I fed until 4 years, periods came back at 18 months.

Anecdotally it's typical for them to return at about 9 months if you BF longer. I think mine were late because I was really really underweight at the time.

OhGoToSleepPLEASE · 26/03/2016 18:56

Still bf 8month old. Periods came back at 6months (v heavy )

MoreGilmoreGirls · 26/03/2016 18:40

Mine came back after a month of stopping were also heavier but then settled back down to normalish. Took nearly a year to get pg though was not seriously trying to begin with.

Sometimesithinkimbonkers · 26/03/2016 18:37

Mine came back when DC were 9 months I was still feeding! Fed DS1 and he self weaned at 16 mths as I was pregnant with ds2 and I think the taste changes X

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