Fully breastfeeding and periods have returned ... ?

[TheBreadstick]

Hi

DS is 6 weeks old this week and is currently fully breastfed.

I seem to have come on my period (apologies TMI!) but I was under the impression the periods didn't return until the mother either stopped breastfeeding or began to supplement breastfeeding or if baby started feeding less. None of these things apply to me.

Just wondered if bleeding was normal, or should I contact HV/doctor?

Bit of background - birth was somewhat complicated due to me haemoraging badly and having a 2nd degree tear - so just concerned the bleeding is actually a period and not something else?!

Any advice welcome!

I would speak to someone if you are concerned, but sadly it's not true that periods don't come back until cessation or supplementation. Mine came back dead on six months, and DD2 was baby led weaned, so I don't think she had actually 'consumed' any solids by that point.

Six weeks is quite early and, given your history, I would get it checked out personally, but sadly it's a bit luck of the draw.

My daughter was exclusively breastfed till seven months, and my period returned that month, before she'd had any other food (and still fed overnight, which is one preventative factor). I know people who've had it earlier.

Mine came back despite exclusive or very frequent breastfeeding (5+ times a day for the older babies) at anything between 4m (DD2) and 12 m (DS and DD3).

But to be honest since you are so very newly delivered, there's no harm in getting it checked out by a midwife. Many people are still bleeding postpartum at 6 weeks or later (I did for 9 weeks after DS's birth) so it's not inconceivable that it could be postpartum bleeding.

Mine came back at 4 weeks with DD1, I asked a midwife and she said if you have a 4 hour gap between feeds it can trigger ovulation and periods. She was EBF but never a hungry baby and went 6 hours at night from 6 weeks.

With DD2, DD3 and DS they didn't return until a year, I had to drop feeds so they would return with DD2 & DD3 as we wanted to TTC.