Period seems to have returned after less than four weeks ebf...is this a bad sign? (TMI contained)

[YouMaySayImADreamer]

My DS is four weeks old on Monday, so 26 days old today. Last night I noticed my breasts had become really soft and I felt like my supply was low. This morning I went to the loo and wiped pink and then red blood which looked like the start of a period. Previously my loss had been yellowy brown for about a week or two.

I am panicking as I know technically if I have a 26 day cycle it could be a period, but I am ebf on demand, not using a dummy, and ds is feeding every 1-3 hours in the day and 1-2 or more at night. So am thinking it is bad sign that feeding isnt going well if my period has returned? With DS1 my periods didnt return until I returned to work at 7mo.

He is now being ultra fussy today, on and off, getting frustrated. I Would suspect a growth spurt but he had one last week where he gained 18.5 ounces in ten days. The last weigh in was Monday. Also worth noting that randomly on Wednesday I became painfully engorged after only a couple of hours between feeds so im thinking had he stopped feeding effectively for some reason and my milk is now drying up?

This the TMI information sorry...but I had noticed the loss I was having until yesterday smelt a bit unpleasant and the site around my stitches had been red and sore on and off both for a week or so so I had been suspecting infection but wasnt sure if I was imagining it so was going to make a gp appointment this week.

I am now panicking that ive had an infection which has caused my milk to dry up and maybe this is why my period has returned so early. Sorry I am panicking but just looking for some advice/reassurance that this wont be the end of ebf for us...

He has had (i think) plenty of wet and dirty nappies although poos have had a green tinge in with the yellow the last 4-5 days.

I would call and speak to a midwife esp if you think you have an infection. But it sounds like lochlia to me rather than period it can stop and start a bit.

Don't judge your milk by how your breasts feel the full feeling reduces over time. As long as baby is gaining weight and has lots of wet and dirty nappies the. You should have enough milk.

Thanks McBaby. I'm hoping for that the community midwife can come and see me or call but noone has got back to me yet. It just seems odd as the lochia had tailed right off and this is like the pinky red blood you get at the start of a period and also accompanied by the feeling of emptiness that id noticed first and babies fussiness (as I know periods can cause a little drop in supply). But what is worrying me is getting a period so soon when I am ebf and when it didnt return until 7 months last time even when ds was sleeping through for a while. Panicking about why this would happen. Sorry for rambling...

My lochia returned a couple of times with pink/red blood, after it had gone brown and faded to nothing, I thought it had stopped. I think it's much more likely to be lochia and if it's smelly I'd definitely go to the GP.

My periods returned after 4 weeks, and ds was ebf. Neither I nor ds noticed a drop in supply, he's still gaining weight at a rate of knots! I was mightily pissed off as was hoping to be period free for a bit longer.....

Yeah get it checked. Though I ebf both my babies and I didn't miss a beat with periods. I think it was about six weeks post partum they started back though.

I don't recall it having any effect on my milk supply.

Thanks RJ i had the midwife out and she was fab. She is 99% sure its not my period and that its lochia stop starting although im sure it is af coming. Pink blood has just been ln wiping all day but have also had cramps and dodgy tummy which is how my period always starts. I'll feel cheated if it is!!

Good news is baby has gained really well and nappies are frequent but will have to see how he is after this weekend as he is definately fussing so i dont think im imagining the drop in supply

My period came a matter of days after the lochia stopped and I was EBF, no dummy too. Both times! I felt cheated too!

My gp, at the six week check said it was fairly uncommon, but someone had to be in the unlucky camp!

I didn't find it affected my supply, manly because DS just fed pretty much constantly!

Sounds like you're doing great, congratulations!

Sorry just seen the other two replies as well moggle and cath ...and both very different...sounds like it could go either way. Hoping its lochia but will see what tomorrow brings

Ahh thsnk you Julia

Ive been keeling him on each breast as long as possible all through the night which has involved me continually relatching him when he's fussing! And have upped my water intake and I feel a lot fuller today so thats my main concern conquered.

No sign of proper bleeding just pink still on wiping which is odd, but I still feel very bloaty and pre periody so we'll see!