periods affecting breastfeeding - please help!

[jakesmum30]

I haven't found anyone with a similar problem on MN but I feel like I haven't got enough milk for my 19 week DS at the moment and my period is due. I got my first period when he was 14 weeks and had similar problem but only for a couple of days before. He is feeding every 2 hours day and night for last 4 days and nappies seem less wet (was previously going at least 8 hours overnight). Tried to give him a bottle of formula yesterday but he got really annoyed and frustrated and I gave up after half an hour. I'm getting really stressed and worried as I haven't got enough milk for him and worried he won't gain weight/grow properly. Anyone else had this problem?? Thanks for reading this jumbled message!

I don't think I can give any advice but have you looked here on kellymom?

Thanks Hulla! I'm going to try those supplements as soon as I can get to the health food shop.

Thanks Hulla for the advice, I will also try to get these supplements. But I wanted to suggest one more thing. I was also concerned that my baby was not getting enough milk during my period. But then I just decided to relax, since she actually is gaining enough weight etc. All the doctors I spoke to said that there is always always enough milk, and I just decided to trust in that. My daughter is still growing wonderfully, despite the early start to my periods. I have never given her formula. I hope this might happen for you too! Good luck!

Hi

Had this problem when I BFed DD. My periods came back at 3 months PP despite EBF (bit of a shock tbh - didn't realise they could even come back so quickly) So very similar to you.

Obviously the first time I didn't realise why supply was down (about 36hrs before and came back fully about 12hrs after start).

I thought I had been overdoing it and had a "babymoon" (day in bed with DD) and put her on constantly. Result was that when period came, I then got engorged from having stepped up supply. Bit sore.

Mine are like clockwork so it was easy to plan for the next one.

I pumped lots extra milk and froze and a few days before I also pumped extra and put in fridge. That way I could top her up during those 2 days when supply would be low.

I did this as I was worried about her missing out on milk (and the first time she was hungry and cried a lot).

That solved it for me. I stopped BFing at 6 months so obviously only did the above a few times before stopping (3 in all).

You honestly don't need to break open the formula. Just plan ahead and pump a bit extra (a pain I know but it does solve the issue and stops you worrying which is just as important).
x

It's great to know that other people are having the same issue! It's easy to get stressed about milk supply as you can't 'see' what's going in iyswim so it's a bot of a guessing game. Will try to express when supply is good so I've got extra in the freezer. Thanks MN's!

Quick update for anyone who has the same problem: Have been using calcium/magnesium supplements as recommended on Kelly Mom (thanks Hulla) and it's made a huge difference, haven't had any probs this month

my ds is 14 weeks, periods returned 4 weeks PP, was devasted/annoyed etc, cycle is regular so been through few now and def noticed differnce when am due on, would second post above about using EBM - i express every morning and get at least 5floz, apart from time of month when i get about 3! keep a stash in freezer/fridge and then use as appropriate.

Might try the calcium tablets too...

interesting

Out of curiousity, did your periods come back the same as before?

I had cramping and spotting a couple of days ago and DS has been feeding more, but I'm not sure that I would count it as a period...

I had lower supply when I ovulated and the first few days of my period. I used to take fenugreek to up the supply but it didn't make that much difference (made tonnes more milk when I took fenugreek at other times but not at my period ) I wished I had known about cal/mag supplements with DD1 would have helped loads.

Hey Jakesmum glad to hear it helped

Funnily enough, my periods returned last month and I think AF is due again this week - DD has been feeding non-stop and being really fussy. She's 20 months old now so has milk alongside meals and it may be something else altogether but I have started wondering if I should follow the link myself

I'm sure dd -16 months- gets PMT the same time as me.

I am due on next week and feeling very pmtish right now.

DD is the same she throws stuff,cries for nothing and is very bad tempered and this happens every month.

When she was tiny and I was due on she would feed all the time and be very unsettled and grumpy.

Yes! cwwm that is exactly how I would describe DD's behaviour right now, like PMT!

I mean, I could be totally wrong as I have had 1 period since she was born so I don't have a lot of evidence to back it up. She might just be being a toddler!

I always had a temporary dip in supply during my period (they returned at 13 weeks, was v cross). I also had a blocked duct every time I ovulated. And I'm still bfing at 3.5. That's a lot of blocked ducts.

Very interested by this! My HV told me there couldn't be a link between my baby being fussy and my periods but every month when I start to get PMT, she gets fussier and fussier. Mine came back at around 14 weeks I think and this has happened every month (she is now 9 months). Will try the supplements!

Has anyone had let down trouble when they have their period?