I think/hope IABU. Introducing formula to TTC

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DS is almost 6 months old. He's our IVF baby, he's amazing and we adore him and I never thought he'd happen and I'm frequently overwhelmed by how lovely and wonderful he is. (I know all mums adore their/our babies.)

(If people are asking/wondering, we wouldn't be eligible to adopt for many reasons.)

I have a diagnosis of tubal infertility after childhood peritonitis. Yesterday, I found out my remaining tube is patent. This was unexpected and excellent news. We're gently introducing formula to EBF DS in the hope of conceiving naturally and avoiding buying our lovely IVF consultant a yacht this year.

I'm full of all the emotions. I know it's natural etc etc, but finding it hard to give him the bottle.

In fairness, he's not enjoying this new journey and neither am I. Please tell us to give our heads a wobble. Are we on glue?

I was in your exact situation OP - first baby was ivf and I knew I was running out of time as I had ivf for low ovarian reserve - I was 36 when my ivf baby was born. I was desperate to give him a sibling if at all possible and my cycles did not come back until I completely stopped breastfeeding at 8 months.

I also anticipated it taking several years to conceive again. It’s a very tricky situation to be in.

For me I was looking at the long term picture and I was very afraid that if I left if too long I would be completely out of time. It worked out for me luckily but I totally understand your dilemma.

If you've already had two cycles then I would leave the formula to be honest, unless it's useful for you to have someone else feeding him? I think the key to getting your cycle back on track is less feeding during the night, so perhaps you just need to do one formula feed overnight. But my cycle returned at 6 months (both times) despite breastfeeding, even overnight so everyone is different! I understand you don't have time on your side, but perhaps abandon the formula for now (if you say your baby isn't enjoying it) and see what happens in a couple of months ?

Congratulations on the baby and on the great news you got!

To be honest, I would slowly start getting the baby to the formula and wait a couple of months before start trying again.

You sound like you want a more time to enjoy the moments with the little one, so do not forget to enjoy those moments you have with him.

Thanks everyone. I've decided to keep exclusively breastfeeding a little longer. I'll reconsider in a while.

If we have another baby, great. If not, I'm enjoying this precious time with my lovely boy.

It takes a few cycles for periods to get regular again since your period has returned and you want to continue to breastfeed then you should! If they aren't becoming regular after a couple more cycles then maybe reconsider. Good luck

I think that's what I'd do in your situation, OP (obviously easy for me to say!), because if your cycle has already returned then breastfeeding is not inhibiting ovulation for you any longer (which is the main way breastfeeding can reduce fertility). The other factor is that in rare cases breastfeeding can cause a short luteal phase in your cycle. There's a good Facebook group, something like "TTC while breastfeeding".

To give my perspective, we had issues conceiving DD and eventually feel pregnant after a medicated IUI but the actual procedure was cancelled. Anyway, the time when I was breastfeeding was just amazing as there was no pressure around TTC, infertility etc. etc. My periods started again properly at 10 months and we were TTC again during that time but it was actually very little pressure. As soon as I stopped breastfeeding (at 17 months) and my cycles became regular again we were back onto the monthly merry go round of shite that is long term TTC. Obviously just my experience but I'd hate for you to stop breastfeeding and then regret that decision because you are just back to dealing with all the complicated emotions of infertility.

My IVF consultant said it's fine to start a cycle after your periods have returned as long as you've night-weaned, breastfeeding shouldn't impact it much if at all. You could night wean your DC?

I had 5 rounds to try for a sibling for DS, starting when he was aged 14 months. Sadly we had 2 mc and 3 BFNs (I also had crappy old eggs in my early 30s) . I carried on bf, he self-weaned at 2y9m - I'm so glad I didn't stop, I loved feeding him.

I'd prioritise the child you have over a child you might never have, but I appreciate what a horrible decision it is to make. Best of luck either way

I would wait a bit, see how it goes.

There’s no predicting the return of periods when BFing. With DS1 my periods were back in 3 months despite EBF. With DS2 it was 15 months, which was after I stopped.

It seems common for them to return when you start weaning. So perhaps try that and see how it goes.