Menstrual cycle returning, milk supply dipping, cluster feeding 14 month old aaargh ...

[FrozenNorthPole]

I think the title basically says it all . Am due to ovulate in a day or so (when DH is home we use the fertility awareness method for contraception so know the signs v v well) and have incredibly sore nipples. DD2, 14 months old, has been feeding for the last 90 minutes.

Is there ANYTHING anyone can suggest to help my supply ride these dips better? I'm normally a sceptic of herbal medicine but right now I would wear turnips as earrings if it meant that I could put DD2 down and go to the loo / eat something.

Or if you just feel kind enough to commiserate with me ... well, that's okay too

Sniff
Ah well, she fell asleep and I got to go to the loo at last. Just in case anyone was left wondering

It's usually only a temporary dip and you just ride it out. I found ovulation harder than my actual period. My periods came back 13 weeks post cs (despite feeding every 2hrs at least day and night) and there was always a temporary dip just before and at the beginning of my period and I had sore nipples and blocked ducts around the time of ovulation.

I bfed dd until she was 3.4 so it didn't affect it too much. Bear in mind she might also be having a growth spurt/developmental spurt/coming down with something.

Thanks SOH - good to know it didn't time-limit your nursing relationship. She was ill last week so maybe she's making up for lost time as well.

I've only had 2 periods since she was born but actually, thinking back, I think I've observed a similar pattern: the oestrogen surge around ovulation has more of an impact than the progesterone plunge around menstruation - maybe partially because my luteal phase is still quite short indicating lower than usual P4.

Disclaimer: a few years ago whilst trying for DD1 I memorised most of Taking Charge of your Fertility. I tend to over-think hormones.

Kellymom recommends calcium . Might be worth a try?