periods and breast feeding

[Babyramone]

When are your periods supposed to return when breastfeeding. I'm BF my DD who is 6 weeks and think my periods have returned, Admittedly she has 1 bottle (12midnight feed)of expressed. Is missing this feed what's caused them to return so quick. I have botttle feeding friends who's periods started later than this. Know I should be feeding exclusively but find feeding really hard and due to other stresses this was only way I knew I'd carry on. Can't believe I've made 6 weeks, have been so close to giving up. Breast feed DS1 for five months and had no menstruation til after that and he also got bottle at night.
Any advice or insight greatly appriciated.
THANKS

Welcome to the Back After 6 Weeks Club
Bit of a bummer isn't it? And I fed exclusively for 12 months and all.

Don't give up , keep on feeding, you're doing a great job so far Even one feed a day when it suits you will be great for your baby

Thanks suzywong, you've cheered me up. I was feeling very guilty about missing that feed. I have been taking each day at a tine and 6 weeks was my goal. Promised myself if made 6 weeks would then would set goal for 3 months which i have.

Good on ya girl, take it a day at a time like you say and do come back to MN if you need anymore moral support or have any questions.

Talking of periods returning ..... have you been indoctrinated in to the ways of The Mooncup yet?

Hi, still feeding,did have tricky weekend but got through it.
I've heard of the moon cup but not sure how it works. Find tampons tricky after lost one and had to get GP to remove (wasn't pleasant)so normally use pads.
Original contraception was DEPO and I had no periods on it, considering using this again but did put on a bit of weight with it.
Interested though as I do use cloth nappies.

Hi
I had what I thought was a period at around 6 weeks but Dr told me it was probably the final bit of lochia leaving my system as it is unusual to return so quickly (I was exclusively BF). They did not actually return until 18 months well into weaning after DD birth, it really does vary from person to person. There is no definite answer on this, I thought I was a bit weird then encountered a few more people with similar experiences. They might come back quicksticks or stay away for ages. Sorry if this does not help much. You have done really well to get this far. There is some useful stuff on Kellymom that might be worth a look
Cheers
kellymom
breastfeeding essentials

6 weeks??? Oh my... for me, one of the perks of pregnancy & having a baby was no periods for a while. Would have been very miffed if mine came back so quickly! Mine returned after 8 months, despite continuing to bf.

Really don't think you have any need to worry about the midnight bottle - sounds like you are doing really well.

hi thanks everyone for your support. Hopefully not period and just end of lochia, must say it omly lasted 2 days. Done 7 weeks now, still find it tricky but geting there. Think half my problem is I don't actually ilke it and am doing more out of duty than anything. Just waiting for that magic moment when it all just clicks.

I exclusively fed and got my first period at around 7 weeks after giving birth and then regularly every 4 weeks until DD was 13 months and I fell pregnant again. It was a real pain! BUt at least I knew I was ovulating which was good as we wanted a small gap between babies...Everything is normal, dont worry about it.