To expect regular periods whilst breastfeeding

[Timetosleepplease]

Looking for some advice from people who have had similar issues. I am still breastfeeding a 14 month old. Only 1-4 times per day now (usually about twice a day). Never overnight anymore. Also has a bottle at night. Eats loads.

My periods came back regularly for about 3 months. Then I missed a period and am now almost 4 weeks late, so have basically not had a period for almost 8 weeks.

I know breastfeeding can make periods irregular, but I am not breastfeeding that much anymore. I am also in my very late thirties and am wondering if I am peri-menopausal or if it is just due to the breastfeeding. I just wanted to ask if anyone else had experienced this, when they were still breastfeeding, but not doing it that much.

This didn't happen with my first child, where my periods returned at 9 months, and once they were back, they were back.

Have you done a pregnancy test?

POAS

WTS ^

I hear you. With my first they came back at 4 months and we're straight back into routine (though slightly longer cycle than before). With my current baby, they again came back at 4 months but are all over the place. Though he is still feeding a tonne, so that may be why. I'm semi hoping to get pregnant again soon, so I wish they'd sort themselves out as it would be easier to work with!

I keep cheap ebay pregnancy sticks in the house just in case though. If it gets weirdly late, I pee on one just to see. Maybe buy a batch ;)

Are you using contraception?

Could you be pregnant OP?

My periods are also weird second time round. DS2 is 13 months and I’m only breastfeeding 2-3 times a day max. I had a period in January then another period 2 weeks ago. It’s very annoying because I don’t know when to expect it, last time I was caught out. I’m also losing weight, I have lost 2 stone since DS2 was born, nearly back into the healthy range but being overweight can affect things too I think. I am not too bothered as we are not planning another baby.

I was exclusively breastfeeding and my periods came back at 4 months and were regular as clockwork ever since.

Have you done a pregnancy test? I know several women who accidentally got pregnant while breastfeeding.

And FWIW, with both my breastfed babies, my periods came back around 13 - 14 months, and once back, they were pretty regular. Not out by more than a few days.

Still bfing 18mo DS. Periods came back at 9mos and we're a few days out either side for the first 3 months but on track for the next few. Then I got pregnant (planned) so obviously they've stopped now.

Basically- POAS.

POAS for sure.

Mine didn’t come back until I had stopped feeding altogether both times... there’s no rule, everyone is different 🤷‍♀️

I had very erratic periods with my first child (they came back at 14 months but were erratic until I stopped BFing at 22 months). I used to wonder if there was some connection with her feeding more when she was teething or in pain, or if I was it was just that I might have been run down, tired, or not eating well - I went back to a stressful job during that time.

Second DD, periods came back at 15 months and have been consistent since then, but I’ve been eating and sleeping pretty well. Late thirties too.

Thanks for the response. I have done two pregnancy tests, first a few days late, second a week late: both negative. Using condoms at the moment as undecided about whether to try for a third (probably a no, but I'm not quite ready to bite the bullet and use something more reliable).

It's just so strange, my period has just disappeared and I'm honestly wondering if it's an age thing.

thanks for the responses I mean!

I'm still bf my 11mo and although my periods came back at about 5 months, they are all over the place. I think I'm averaging a 6 week cycle.
It sounds pretty normal to me.

I'm in my late 30's and I BF'd my DS to 20 months. My period did not return until DS was 14 months and even then, it was sporadic. This is why I now have 2 week old DD....

I didn't get them until 6 weeks after quitting breastfeeding with number 2, this was nearly 18 months after giving birth. Dd1 they came back after 6 months but were very irregular, managed to get pregnant before they were regular!

I breastfed my kids till they were about 2 and in both cases my periods didn't come back with any regularity till after I'd stopped. You sound normal to me!

Thanks for the responses that definitely helps actually. Especially as I haven’t totally ruled out a third, but I’m almost 40 now, so fertility probably is much less than it was, but hoping it is just due to the BF! I would rather make a decision either way than have the decision taken away from me!

Mine didn't return for 2 years with DC1, despite me only doing a bedtime feed for the last year or so of that time. Then they were very erratic for months.

With DC2, they didn't return for almost FIVE YEARS! Yes, I bf DS for over 4 years but after he was 2 or 3 the amount of milk he got was pretty minimal. I was convinced I'd somehow segued into early menopause without realising by that point. Then bam - back, and have been almost like clockwork for the last couple of years.

Mine came back at 6 months with my first and went straight back into a monthly cycle. With my second and third they came back at around 6 weeks but were very erratic and would sometimes skip months. All were ebf day and night. It's probably just a hormonal thing, all you need is for a slight change in feeds and it could stop you ovulating = no period.

It can cause irregular periods. I didn’t have a period with DC3 until she was 13 months old and they were irregular until she stopped BFing all together. I had a few scares thinking I was pregnant but I definitely wasn’t.

I have a DS who is 14mo and is still BF. My periods came back when he started solids at 6m, but very irregularly (I have only had 4 periods since then). I am definitely not pregnant!