So I think I have to stop BF... but I really, really don't want to!!

[KittyCatIsGettingFat]

I know I've had a great run BF - DD is now 17mo and has been EBF since birth. It was sooo hard in the beginning but we both persevered (through mastitis, weight loss, cracked nipples - the usual hell that is the start of BF!). And was it ever worth it... BF for so long is the thing I'm most proud of doing! Ever!

We've decided to TTC number 2 - but my periods haven't come back at all. I have been to the GP for a check, everything seems fine, and have started some aromatherapy (more for the relaxation than anything else!!)

HOWEVER I have a sneaky feeling that I won't get pregnant until I stop BF - DD is a total boob monster and still feeds a LOT, day and night... Her routine is usually a feed in the am, fed to sleep for midday nap, bedtime feed (usually to sleep) and if she wakes in the night. This can be as few as once or as many as eight (like last night - [Zombie emoticon!])

I wouldn't know how to begin cutting out her feeds as she loves her Mummy milk - and how on earth do you get a baby back to sleep in the night without feeding them?? Its such a dilemma - I LOVE breastfeeding and so does she (the way her little face lights up when its milktime! Aaah...)

So should I try to cut down a bit? Or stop completely? If so, how? When she wakes at night, how do I get her back to sleep? Ditto nap time - if she's used to being BF with a cuddle, how do I soothe her?

And if there is a miraculous way to get my periods jumpstarted, I'd appreciate any and all tips!

Eish but being a loving mummy is hard sometimes...

could you try night-weaning? Dr Edward Sears and Dr Jay Gordon bith have child/BF friendly methods.

FWIW - DD (19mo) still nurses day and night and mine came back a few weeks ago.
Before that I hadn't had one in over 5 years so DC 2&3 were both concieved without a period. It can happen. :)

Night weaning may well work (although might be traumatic).

If you're truly feeding on demand, this can keep the old woman away so cutting it down a bit might well be enough. I certainly don't think you need to stop completely. If you need to feed overnight to settle her, maybe dropping day feeds would work without the trauma. Perhaps just limit her to morning, lunchtime and before bed?

If there's a routine to it, try dropping a couple and wait a month and see?

I suspect that homeopathy may help (you'd need to ask a homeopath).

Well done :)

Organiccarrotcake - apparently it's the night feeds that tend to affect fertility more which is why I suggested night-weaning. It doesn't have to be traumatic, there are gentle methods out there :)