To just keep lactating until I hit menopause

[CertainlyCurtainly]

(Semi-lighthearted)
Inspired by the thread about the return of periods whilst breastfeeding.
My period has never come back until months after I've fully weaned. DC3 is 2.5yo and still breastfeeds once or twice a day. Is it insane to think, once she weans, I could express once a day until I hit menopause?? I'm currently 41... 🤔

I don’t blame you. Worth a try.

For what reason? Trying to delay menopause?

No, to prevent the return of periods.

Bonkers

Well if you do, you could donate it to a milk bank.

I considered pumping for longer - to keep the extra points at weight watchers ☺️

My DS was exclusively BF and my periods came back at 11 weeks - I put it down to that ONE night he slept for 10 hours straight. I’m not sure the plan will work…one of my friends got pregnant again before her period returned.

Yeah, try it! I was too fed up of pumping in the end and the points weren’t worth it

Get a mirena coil. No more periods. I didn't even know when I hit menopause as I'd had over ten years of the mirena, and I suppose there was enough residual hormones to diminish the effect of the menopause.

My DS is 7, weaned 4 years ago, and I still (bizarrely) lactate - not loads, but I can hand express a bit. I'm sure if I wanted to I could start pumping again. Can't be arsed, though, it's such a pain in the arse!

YANBU

You could start your own cheese and ice cream business.

Yes. The thought of not having a period again for the rest of my life almost seems like it would be worth 10 minutes of pumping every day for the next 10 years. I realise it's batshit and unsustainable, but even so...!

There is the danger about osteoporosis with extended breast feeding and anovulation, agree with others that the mirena coil would be better

I've never tried the mirena, but I've been on several contraceptive pills and they all sent me varying degrees of insane, so I'm not sure I'd deal well with having the hormones in my body all the time. And I've heard its difficult to persuade drs to take them out once they're in 🫤

Hahaha! Finally, a way to make my fortune 😂

Hm, I hadn't considered that. Good point. I'm already higher risk for that by virtue of having coeliac.

I wonder if it would work! But maybe your milk would dry up and it stop working? As itll know you’re not pregnant and probably not feeding a ten year old. Possibly…

I didn’t know about this!

I’m not sure if it’s a good idea or not, but I love that you’re thinking of it and that others have taken it with the humour that was intended. Great thread OP x

@KvotheTheBloodless see your GP. Lactating can be a sign of other conditions and needs looking into.

It would reduce your risk of breast cancer, not by much, about 1% for every year that you do it.

But I don't like the feeling, so I wouldn't have do e it beyond 6 months!

But your period will come back. Breastfeeding doesn't delay it forever - not unless you've got other problems like very underweight, anaemic etc.
Especially if you're only expressing once a day!

If you're suppressing ovulation then would you not just be pushing back menopause anyway? I'm not completely clued up on the science behind it admittedly.

Would be a bit gutting to pump daily without any use for the milk only for your period to return at a random point too, too much work for a small chance. Mirena coil sounds a better option if it suits you!