How can I get my periods back?

[madrarua]

DD is 10.5 months old I'd love to start trying for a second baby soon but my periods have still not returned! I never thought I'd be so desperate for my AF to return. I'd always hoped to have an 18month-2yr age gap but it's looking less and less likely, unless something happens soon!

DD is down to 3 bfs, eats three good meals per day and 1 snack mid-morning.

I've been taking Agnus Castus for over a month. I've also tried cutting out a feed - the mid morning one which I replaced with a snack - having read on Kellymom that a sudden change to routine might help fertility to return. DD night weaned about 3 months ago. That didn't bring back AF either!

I'd really love to continue bf for as long as possible/DD wants to, but if periods don't return soon I may have to it give up! I hope I'm not going to be one of the few who has to stop completely for AF to return.

Has onyone got any experience of encouraging their AF to return whilst bf, and what worked for you? Any advice appreciated!

No actual advice, I'm afraid - but I did hear you can be fertile BFing even without periods. My mum was; I have a little brother to prove it. Have also read this elsewhere, too.

Hi,
I was in a similar position to you - nothing seemed to work, including night weaning! But I persevered with the Agnus Castus - apparently it can take several months to have an effect. It's hard to say whether it was due to the Agnus Castus or just nature taking its course, but things did eventually get back to normal when my daughter was about 20 months old. Got pregnant again 2 months later!

As an aside, one thing worth remembering with Agnus Castus is that you mustn't stop taking it abruptly if you do get pregnant (I believe stopping it suddenly can increase the miscarriage risk). I took it for the first trimester, very gradually lowering the dosage and stopping at about 14 weeks.

A better strategy (one I didn't know about!) is to take it for the first half of your cycle and stop when you ovulate, and then start again on the first day of your period. That way you won't face any risks if pregnant and can safely stop taking it at the start.

Sorry if you knew all that already.

Oh, just remembered I also drank lots of green tea as that's meant to help fertility too. Probably an old wives' tale but I love the stuff so wasn't a problem for me!

Good luck

Thank you for your replies. I didn't know that about the Agnus Castus gastrognome. I'll bear it in mind if I do get pregnant! Might stock up on the green tea. Am willing to try anything at this stage to avoid giving up bf!