TTC while Breastfeeding (or recently weaned!!) regular cycles and baby dust this way!

dillydollydarling depends where in your cycle you are. Normally they say from about CD11, but if you're in the middle of a weird cycle, you might as well go from now....What are your cycles like at the mo?

Ordered some opks last week as I'm not sure if I'm actually ovulating or not. Should I be testing every day? Is there anything other than cutting down feeds that can kick start my body back into ovulating?

Well I'm now about half way through my first PP cycle and I'm really surprised how (I think!!) everything's doing what it's meant to. I didn't start temping for a good few days in, because I thought that waking at random times and not always getting that full 3 hours sleep before waking up for the morning might screw it up, but the temps I've been getting so far seem pretty similar to when I was temping before DD. I even had a positive OPK on day 14 and had a really dirty dream the following night, meaning I was properly up for DTD for the first time since she was born (normally my mindset's been more like, 'oh dear, here we go again' before I get into it), and now I'm seeing a post-ov temperature rise! All in all, I'm pretty chuffed, regardless of whether this ends up being the month...I'm just glad my body's playing ball after a tough time ttc #1! Hope everyone's having a good weekend.

Oaty, I think it's bunny going on clomid, not me, though I'd be interested in doing the same. I wouldn't mind stopping personally but can't find a way to cut down without distressing DS, so if my supply reduced and he lost interest that would be no bad thing. He's had a lot of change in his life lately so if anything is feeding more than before.

Ah boat. Day 42 is evil!

Jess I guess the docs were happy enough that breastfeeding wouldn't necessarily affect your fertility if they prescribed clomid?

Ha I feel a bit the same Abraham, after getting pregnant shockingly quickly twice we couldn't take the option of 'not really trying', now I'm feeling impatient! Second night of proper night weaning though, and it's been ok. He was up for about an hour, mad, but trying to sleep and he did eventually manage. Totally made up for it with 3 hours of boob snoozing this morning

Ha I feel a bit the same Abraham, after getting pregnant shockingly quickly twice we couldn't take the option of 'not really trying', now I'm feeling impatient! Second night of proper night weaning though, and it's been ok. He was up for about an hour, mad, but trying to sleep and he did eventually manage. Totally made up for it with 3 hours of boob snoozing this morning

Sorry boat ! Fingers crossed for next month
Sounds like a plan bummy

I'm going on to clomid now. It's apparently fine with breastfeeding but can lessen supply. I'd rather not stop yet so need to weigh up pros and cons.

Although ds had nursed for about 5 hours today. At 3 years I'm getting a bit over it lol!

Sadly no dodgy batch of ICs for me. AF turned up on cd 42.

Sorry AF turned up Abraham fingers crossed for next month !
Hi to all the newbies wishing you all baby dust

Jess you're pretty much me then.

Can I join? Ttc for about a year, 25mo DS feeding bedtime and morning plus for nap when not at nursery. Cycles back and pretty regular 28/29 days for a year now (straight after coming off mini pill). 2 years unexplained IF before conceiving naturally. Just been told by doctor that I need to stop bf but he's really not ready and I'd prefer to carry on. Will get blood tests done and see what's happening though the doctor says that even if the results suggest I'm ovulating they'll probably still advise me to stop. Time isn't on my side as I'm 40 so feeling a bit torn about what to do.

Thanks lullaby. It was first time luck next time, so it's a bit much to expect us to be first time lucky this time again!

Sorry abraham best of luck for your next cycle.

Ah well. I was all ready to test yesterday evening (day 33), but of course, before testing I immediately realised it was a no: AF is here. Oh well. Onwards and upwards. This is only my first cycle .

I have not heard that writer but have heard that BF can shorten your luteal phase maybe that is linked to low progesterone? I know some women with multiple mcs might take progesterone pessaries once a pregnancy is confirmed.

I don't believe there is proper evidence that breastfeeding is linked to miscarriage though.
www.lalecheleague.org/nb/nbjulaug00p116.html

kellymom.com/pregnancy/bf-preg/bfpregnancy_safety/

Your prolactin levels are probably fine if you're ovulating any way!

I thought it was progesterone that affected fertility?

I was told that for a pregnancy to occur, and be maintained (I.e not miscarry) then there needs to be a high level of progesterone in the body but unfortunately breast feeding suppresses the level of progesterone.

That was my understanding anyway? I may have to Google it now.....

I had full hormone levels checked 2 years ago but maybe should again. It costs about £900 though so need to make sure I'm asking for everything I need to at the same time.

Thanks for the heads up on the prolactin. I don't think they checked that last time.

Can the GP check prolactin levels? I thought that was the hormone BF creates that interferes with fertility?

Congrats pumpkin.

I got af back at 3 months and have been ovulating since then.

I've been told by doctors I need to stop breastfeeding to get pregnant but my cycles are regular and I'm ovulating so not sure why. They're so vague about it so I don't think they know either.

They did tell me I probably miscarried because I was breastfeeding. Thanks for that.

May I join in please, with the disclaimer that i tend to suck at long threads because I forget that I'm on them, come back and have no clue what's going on, but I'll try.

I have a 7mo DS. We've decided to kind of start trying quite quickly (or just be really lax about birth control) as it took us 2.5 years and eventually IVF to conceive DS. I'm trying to wean him (into solids and formula, with varying degrees of success) right now. My periods haven't returned at all, but I am kind of enjoying that. I'm trying to be all chill about this as conceiving DS ended up being so stressful and I had to get obsessional, but by personality I'm not the most relaxed individual. I do sometimes suspect that I'm pregnant as I'm exhausted and moody, but then that could also come from not sleeping properly for a year

boatrace - my periods first returned when DS was 4 months old but for 8 months they were a bit hit and miss. When DS was 1 year old I had a Mirena inserted and I bled on and off continuously for about 6 months and then it completely stopped altogether.

I had my Mirena out in January and was pregnant within 3 weeks but I had an early miscarriage and I haven't fallen pregnant again since. My cycles are really regular though, pretty much exactly as they were before I had DS, so I know my hormones must be ok to some degree.

I only feed DS an average of 10 times a week so it's hardly excessive - sometimes he goes 48 hours without any feeds - but I just can't stop thinking that it's the breast feeding that is stopping me getting pregnant.

I'm considering going to the GP to get my progesterone levels checked.

abraham have you tested again?