I'd like my periods back - anything I can try?

[zimm]

DD 14 months, BF's twice a day when I work ( 3 days a week) and anything from 2-6 times a day when we are together. Occasional night feed for comfort.

I don't want to wean her but would like periods back so I have the option of TTC. Would restricting her to just morning and evening help? Also I still losing weight (been continuously losing since birth). I was size 14-16 before PG, put on a normal amount of weight when PG but have just kept losing since birth - now a size 12 and still losing. I assume this is because of BF and also because I push her heavy buggy round our hilly town ALOT. If I stop losing weight weight they return? I'm clearly a healthy weight but maybe the actual losing is the problem? I eat masses.

Any other ideas?

Hmm had not thought of that Notjsut......I am a veggie but my iron levels have always been good even when PG. Can I take that when BF-ing?

I think 14 months is the average for periods returning when breastfeeding - you might find they return very soon anyway.

Have you read Kellymom?

Lots of people find night weaning helps although I can't give my experience - mine haven't returned at 22 months (but DS feeds about 7 x a day including at night). The range I've heard of is 14 months if you co-sleep / bf on demand, and the longest I've heard of is 42 months.

The weight loss might be a problem - studies of other cultures show that menstruation is delayed for longer when there is a shortage of food. (eg one study gave vitamins to mothers of some African tribe to see if it changed the quality of their milk, but it just brought their periods back sooner). I don't know if this only works in severe food shortage contexts though, or if it would have an effect in your context though.

Can you eat more nutrient-dense foods, eg avocados, nuts, oils, seeds?

I think iron can have an effect too though - I had a m/c before my DS and had low iron levels as a result. I'd conceived really quickly with the first DC and after 7 months of low iron levels we were still TTC with no success. I started iron tablets and got pg on the first cycle after taking them. I'm convinced there was a causal connection.

Sorry, average of 14 m.o. if feeding responsively/keeping baby close to you etc.

Thanks Angeldog - interesting stuff. I could certainly increase my iron levels. And I may well night wean (in theory she is night weaned but in practice she gets a BF if she won't resettle, teething etc) once she is bit more settled in nursery. 42 months! That would be a heck of an age gap. If we get to two years and still nothing I may just have to wean her :-(