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Infant feeding

Get advice and support with infant feeding from other users here.

Original poster

Breastfeeding and fertility - any experts/advice out there?

129 replies

alittleteapot · 02/01/2009 19:49

I'm still bfing 18mo dd. Af took ages to come back but I'm now on my 4th or 5th period. We are ttc but no luck yet.

I know it's early days but a) we got pg with dd straight away; b) I'm 38; and c) I've read that just because you've got your periods back doesn't mean your ovulating, I'm wondering if I should get checked that I am ovulating and all is fine. (This is not so much an oh no not pg yet thing, more a given all the circs I might as well be thorough and sure.) The other option is to wean but that's going to be HARD and it would be nice to know I don't need to.

Are the over-the-counter ovulation kits reliable? Is it worth talking to my gp? Anyone had any experience of all this?

Thanks

OP posts:
mawbroon · 02/03/2009 11:33

You're welcome. I have recommended that book to so many people. I honestly think that everyone should read it whether ttc or not.

My friend bought me it when I said I had tried a few months ttc no2. I am on my 21st cycle since I read the book, and if I didn't know what I learned from the book, I think I would have been really stressing that something terrible was wrong when in fact it's "just" a short luteal phase which should revert once ds weans, or cuts down enough anyway.

We haven't done day feeds for about three weeks now. He has stopped asking!! And, he is sleeping through the odd night here and there now so some days we are just on morning and night. I still think full weaning is a way off for him, but there is progress in the right direction at least!!

mawbroon · 03/03/2009 12:32

None the wiser today. A bit more tiny flecks of TMI brown stringy stuff (normal for me before AF starts properly) with some pink which is unusual for me. Could be implantation or I could just be kidding myself like every other month.

CantSleepWontSleep · 03/03/2009 12:42

What CD did you ov Mawbroon?

I have the TCOYF book too. It really is very good, although iirc then her 'rules' about charting would suggest that I never ov'ed, whereas fertility friend and I were always happy that I did. Can't remember quite why, but that has stuck in my mind.

mawbroon · 03/03/2009 12:46

I ov'd on CD 12 this month. Normally it has been around 15 or 16 but ds has drastically cut down his feeding. So, I am on day 21 now, so perfectly possible that implantation could be happening now.

My LP in previous cycles has been 10 or 11 days before the proper bleeding starts, but I start shedding stringy brown stuff around 7 or 8 days after ovulation which kind of suggests to me that it's not ideal in there for implantation.

The presence of the brown stuff this time doesn't fill me with hope.

mawbroon · 03/03/2009 12:48

I am only going on cervical fluid and cervical position now. I found it impossible to take proper temps because ds and I co sleep and often I have moved about while he latches on before I even wake, so was finding that the temps were no use.

I never know which bed I am going to wake up in either! So unless I had a thermometer in each room, then there's a good chance that there won't be one on the beside table wherever I wake up!

Original poster
alittleteapot · 04/03/2009 16:40

Sorry to hear that Vic, fingers crossed for next month.
Congratulations Grendle! And good luck Mawbroon. Wow you ladies have been busy.

I had a scan today. Too early for nuchal so still not announcing anything officially, but baby fine, heartbeat strong. and just the one.

Whomovedmychocolate how's the tandem feeding going? That'll be me in a few months hopefully...

OP posts:
CantSleepWontSleep · 04/03/2009 19:54

Know what you mean about taking the temps mawbroon. No way I could have charted when we were trying to conceive ds.

altp - iirc wmmc isn't tandem feeding any more, as her dd self weaned. I am though!

mawbroon · 04/03/2009 22:37

I'm none the wiser today, but my gut feeling is that I am not pg. I think I did conceive though because yesterday I felt pregnant IYKWIM, but feel nothing today and have had more spotting. But this is further than I have got apart from early mc last year, so kind of a good sign I think.

Best get my mooncup ready I think.

vlc · 04/03/2009 23:07

I'm keeping fingers crossed for you still mawbroon.

I bought my basal thermometer but forgot to use it this morning. Naturally.

Great news, alittleteapot!

mawbroon · 05/03/2009 10:31

Thanks vlc, but it's game over for this month I'm afraid....

Original poster
alittleteapot · 05/03/2009 13:13

sorry to hear that mawbroon. i had a failed implantation the month before i got pg so you're not alone - fingers crossed next cycle.

OP posts:
CantSleepWontSleep · 05/03/2009 14:15

mawbroon.

mawbroon · 05/03/2009 21:13

I am taking it as a good sign alittleteapot. I just need to lengthen my luteal phase a bit, it was still 10 days this month, but with spotting three days before the proper bleeding started, so not great. I have tried agnus castus and now progesterone cream with no luck, however my period looks much more healthy since I started on the progesterone cream so I think it is having a bit of an effect.

So much for my 2 year age gap!! If I conceive next cycle, ds will be 4.2yo when the baby arrives if the pg were to make it full term! In a way though, I am glad that the decision regarding age gap has been taken out of my hands!

Just on pc to print out more charts. 20 cycles now since I started charting and we had been ttc for about 6 before that. Perhaps if I print out 100 then I will get pg next time.

liahgen · 26/08/2009 20:16

ok ladies.

On sound MN advice I am posting on this lucky thread.

ttc#6, ?I'm 42 and been trying since last Sept. Had very early mc Dec and nada since.

6 wks ago, to my complete devastation I gave up feeding dd, (was 2 in May) on docs advice, now waiting to see if it's made the slightest difference.

Am getting regular, 26 day cycles, (was 28 days before mc) Have been getting positive opk's (cb digital, smiley face version) about days 10/11/12 the 4 or 5 times that i've used them.

If I get a BFP am seriously considering resuming bf, I know Istill have plenty milk there, dd still asks for it tearily every day and I soo wish I hadn't had to stop, I just wasn't ready but as time is not on our side was prepared to sacrifice for the greater good.

Gosh sorry that turned into an epic post didn't it?

verylittlecarrot · 26/08/2009 20:43

Keep us posted, liahgen, and good luck.

I'm sure there must be some babies due soon on this thread!

verylittlecarrot · 26/08/2009 20:46

BTW, as someone who has no idea how she will cope with TWO children, I feel I must point out that I am a little in awe of someone who breezily manages SIX. Hats off to you, seriously!

Meanbeansmum · 26/08/2009 20:53

I'm bfing and ttc hoping this magic thread will help. ;) Good luck to all trying babydust.xxxxxxxxxxxxx

AmIDoingThisRight · 27/08/2009 13:05

May I join too, please?

Bfing as well and trying for another; still no periods though at 18 months!

Don't want to stop bfing at the moment but would like to get cracking, as it were.

Will see if this thread works its magic here as well.

mawbroon · 27/08/2009 13:30

Hey!! This is a lucky thread!!

I got pg in May and am now almost 14wks!!

DS still feeds morning/bedtime and sometimes in the day, but we managed to cut out night feeding around April time. I was ill, and i sent DH in for a few nights.

Good luck to everyone ttc.

Meanbeansmum · 27/08/2009 15:44

My little miss feeds at 7pm, dream feeds at 11pm and has a morning feed at 7am. I tried to see if she'd drop the dream feed last night. NOPE! She was lying on her frontt sucking her forearm bless her! I had to feed her then and she was a fuss pot all night lol!

Meanbeansmum · 01/09/2009 22:31

This is the lucky thread, I just got a SKinny little Positive!!!! Thankyou lucky thread.xxx

mawbroon · 01/09/2009 22:40

Congratualtions MeanBeansMum

I hope it all goes well for you!

verylittlecarrot · 01/09/2009 23:59

yay MBM!!!

Told you all - this thread is magic!

How are you doing, Mawbroon? I'm still waiting to see if the tenderness abates at all (not yet)...

mawbroon · 02/09/2009 10:57

I am doing fine. Over the worst bit I think. Nips are not so sore, either that or I've got used to it. Now and again, ds will elbow me in the boobs which is a bit sore, but I can cope!

He tells me there's not a lot of milk though, but I would keel over with surprise if that stopped him feeding!!

fridayatlast · 02/09/2009 11:02

Ok, have been lurking and was very skeptical ... but casually TTC and now feel I must give the lucky thread a go!

DS is 12 months and still feeds evening and morning. AF not returned, where is she?

Why am I so broody?!!