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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.

Original poster

Unsure whether to stop breastfeeding to improve chances of ttc

33 replies

Fagin99 · 30/07/2023 12:10

I've just had my third failed month of ttc baby #2, which I'm obviously upset about. I know that's not long in trying (dd took five months) but I'm very late thirties and aware of time.

I'm still breastfeeding 15-month-old twice a day (upon waking and before bed - never any more than this) but I can't decide if I should stop altogether in case it might be stopping my chances of ttc? I've had regular periods for ten months, I get positive OPK tests and ovulation pain mid-cycle, so I'd like to think I'm ovulating, but I know there's still a chance that breastfeeding could be interfering with things.

Has anyone else any personal experience with this? I'd hate to stop breastfeeding if it's not going to make any difference anyway (but appreciate there's no way of knowing either way).
Thanks in advance xx

OP posts:
Original poster
Fagin99 · 02/08/2023 12:06

Hi @secondtimelucky87, thank you so much for your lovely reply. I completely understand your reasons for not wanting to stop breastfeeding as well as your wanting another baby. It can feel so difficult to know what to do.
Wishing you all the very best in your tww. Sending lots of baby dust back xx

OP posts:
secondtimelucky87 · 31/07/2023 16:53

Hi lovely. Totally in the same boat. I'm feeding my 28 month old once or twice a day now. It just gets her to sleep so easily I'm reluctant to stop, especially as she's just started sleeping through the night finally! And tbh it's still just a lovely thing to do and she waits so patiently for those two feeds a day. I'm actually in my TWW atm. Either 2/3 DPO so we'll see. I'm having regular 27/28 day periods and ovulating halfway through. This is only my third cycle properly trying as took 2 years to get periods back. But I'm 36 and feeling so desperate for another baby I think I'll consider weaning if I have to. Sending you lots of babydust and I'll keep my eyes on this thread!

Original poster
Fagin99 · 30/07/2023 20:15

Thank you so much for your replies. @SnookyPook and @Alloveragain3 I'm so very sorry to hear about loses. Thank you for your sharing your journey.

That's interesting that it still took a while in your cases and I'm sorry to hear you regretted stopping @Alloveragain3 . I appreciate your honesty and will make me seriously consider my situation.

That's reassuring to hear @BingBongBoo86 and congrats on your dc. Appreciate the good luck xx

OP posts:
Alloveragain3 · 30/07/2023 19:45

I fell pregnant while BF but sadly miscarried.
I then wasn't falling pregnant so reluctantly stopped BF.
It took another year to fall pregnant!
I regretted the decision to stop BF as I wasn't quite ready and I don't think it was the issue. At the time I felt it was the right thing to do though as I was desperate to be pregnant.

BingBongBoo86 · 30/07/2023 19:21

Got pregnant while feeding my toddler. She was feeding way more than twice a day! Good luck 🤞

SnookyPook · 30/07/2023 19:19

I had to fully wean however that was because AF wasn't returning despite monthly aches and pains. The month he stopped bf, my cycle started up almost straight after, and three cycles later I fell pregnant (unfortunately ended up as a mmc but the conception part obviously worked fine). As pp said, if you are ovulating, and experiencing cycles then I would think it should be fine. Good luck!

Original poster
Fagin99 · 30/07/2023 17:37

Thank you for your reply, and congratulations to your friend.
Apparently prolactin can affect fertility in a small number of women, even if you're ovulating. It's rare, but one of those things you don't know if you're affected by, which is so annoying.

OP posts:
ChildrenOfTheQuorn · 30/07/2023 16:07

My best friend (36yo) has just conceived in her first month trying with a 15 month old who's breastfeeding way more than twice a day. If you're having regular periods and ovulating I'm not sure how it could be stopping you from conceiving tbh?

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