Does af spell the end of bf?

[Boosaphena]

With dc1 I got my af back at 6 weeks, bf was a real struggle but I dragged it out to 8 months with formula top ups. With dc 2 I got af at ten months. Bf was much easier I continued to ten months and stopped because he was a biter! Now dc3 has reflux and after 14 wks I appear to be having af. I have taken map tho, so not sure if that has had an impact. I have had to introduce 4 x 1oz formula feeds so that I can get the gaviscon in.
I'm finding bf a real struggle this time again but really want to continue. So does af mean my milk is going?

I've never heard that before! I wonder if it's more likely that it's the formula that's affecting your milk supply tbh. Did DC2 get top-ups? Could you perhaps express milk to give DC3 the Gaviscon rather than use formula, to keep supply going?

I had period back at 4 months first time and didn't affect bf at all. Have heard some women say that their baby is more fussy around time of AF, but that it's a temporary thing.

No not at all in my experience - got mine back at 18 months, still feeding at 3 years.

No never heard that before. Got my period back within 2 months for both DC, 1st dc bf till 15months and 2nd is 19months and bf'in right now.
sorry no advise as such exceopt don't thinkl af is the reason.

Gaviscon can be given in water, rather than formula, or expressed milk if you can express.

AF can impact supply for a day or two, or sometimes make feeding a bit sore, but it really should bounce back very quickly.

It's worth looking at other reasons for your LO's reflux. Sometimes it can be caused by a reaction to something in your diet (dairy being the most common) and if you remove that you can remove the Gaviscon. If your LO does have a cow's milk protein intolerance the cow's milk based formula could trigger a worse, longer-term intolerance so it's well worth considering this. Or it could be nothing to do with cow's milk of course, but I didn't want you to not know and not have the option to consider it.

I've heard that milk supply dips a bit at that time of the month, but I've personally never experienced it.

What things are you finding difficult? It's more likely to be early bf difficulties rather than anything period-related. Perhaps we can help?

My AF came back at 8 months. I did notice a slight drop in milk in the week leading up to AF but it soon picked up again. I continued bfing to 15 months and AF was a regular feature so I just got used to it and breastfed more in the week leading up to AF to stimulate supply.

Thanks for the replies. She's mostly just being really fussy at the breast right now. Although asking why it's not working did make me think. It just doesn't feel as right and easy this time. Don't get me wrong I certainly don't intend on stopping bf, it's just alot harder. I have tried giving gaviscon with water but she won't take it. I'm also not very good at expressing. I'm constantly exhausted, I have 3 aged 3.5 and under, and we last week did a major house move. I suspect all this might be affecting things also.

The gaviscon seems to really help her when's she's in discomfort so I don't want to change that. I don't think it's a milk protein intolerance, she was a bit prem and I dont think her oesophagus is fully developed. We've been referred to the paeds so will see what that brings.

Thanks again for the replies.