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Infant feeding

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

Original poster

is it normal not to menstruate when breastfeeding? Dr suggested it wasn't

51 replies

arolf · 10/12/2009 20:29

had GP check up this week and was asked if my periods have returned. they haven't. DS is nearly 11 vweeks old and bf. Dr expressed surprise and asked me to go back in 4 weeks time for another check up. my friend had a similar response from her (different) GP - her baby is 1 week younger than mine and also bf.

I thought this was totally normal when bfeeding? am I totally misled? should I worry?

OP posts:
JacksmamaInAPearTree · 10/12/2009 20:32

WHat an idiot. It is completely normal not to menstruate when you're breastfeeding. My periods returned when DS was 16 months old. I wasn't missing them, was in fact peeved when they came back

GP needs to go back to med school

nickytwotimes · 10/12/2009 20:32

It's usual not to.
Does your gp know you are bf?
If so, he/she is woefully misinforming people.
Almost all of my bfing friends do not have periods.

giddyupRudolph · 10/12/2009 20:33

I didn't for the whole time I bfed (about 12 months)

tinierclanger · 10/12/2009 20:33

Er, your doctor sounds a bit clueless. It's normal not to menstruate, or to menstruate - ie, anything can happen! But most people I know had no, or only the odd very irregular bleed during the first 6 months. Don't worry.

Some more detail here.

sazlocks · 10/12/2009 20:33

what ????
My periods didn't come back til DS was over 7 months old cos he was exc BF.
Your DR is talking rubbish.

Original poster
arolf · 10/12/2009 20:35

thank god - thought i was right! it's one of my reasons for breastfeeding tbh!! I definitely told her I was exclusively breastfeeding - she said well done

OP posts:
MincePAELLA · 10/12/2009 20:35

I hope not
No AF yet and 23 weeks into bf
x

midnightexpress · 10/12/2009 20:40

How bizarre.

ds1 was mixed fed after about 5 weeks, ff after about 10 weeks and period returned ermm, can't quite remember, but somewhere in there.

ds2 was fully bf, and I fed him until he was 21 months. Period returned at about 15 months iirc.

However, that said, I wouldn't rely on it as a method of contraception as I also know a few people who have been caught out there.

thisisyesterday · 10/12/2009 20:44

lol, you are right and your GP is a nutcase.

it's perfectly normal not to menstruate whilst breastfeeding exclusively. in fact, it is more common not to.

i was one of the unlucky ones who got my period back at around 7 weeks post partum each time. grrrrr

WillowFae · 10/12/2009 23:45

It's one of the nice advantages to bfing

JackTheHallsWithBauersOfHolly · 10/12/2009 23:49

My periods didn't come back for 3 years after having DD1 as I BF her until I got PG with DD2 and then BF DD2.
I was most upset when they returned!

SleightiesChick · 11/12/2009 00:00

DS was exclusively BF till 8 months, then started mixed feeding so am still BFing morning and evening. My period came back at 10 months. So definitely wouldn't be surprised at no periods while you are exclusively BF. Idiot GP!

Minshu · 11/12/2009 00:06

Surprised that a female GP would be so clueless (is that sexist?)...

JacksmamaInAPearTree · 11/12/2009 00:33

Hello there my son...

lowrib · 11/12/2009 01:06

My period came back at 5 months despite exclusive breastfeeding but I was mightily pissed off to see it back so early!

slim22 · 11/12/2009 01:15

Well get yourself a new GP QUICK!

I'd be worried trusting him/her with the simplest query after this!

For info my period returned after 11 months ( basically when I started dropping feeds)

slim22 · 11/12/2009 01:18

Then again, he/she might have been referring to contraception?

Even if your periods don't return, you will be ovulating so do ask your GP if that was what he was going on about. You might want to talk about a contraception method.

confuddledDOTcom · 11/12/2009 01:33

LAM is more effective as a contraceptive method than condoms when done properly. But then it's simple - there's a risk you will get pregnant everytime you have sex. The only effective contraceptive method is abstainence.

differentnameforthis · 11/12/2009 02:51

I didn't have periods for 6mths while feeding. Completely normal!

MrsKitty · 11/12/2009 06:33

Your GP's an idiot. Cancel the appointment in 4 wks time - nothing to check! They may come back before you finish BF but they're just as likely not to.

ohmeohmy · 11/12/2009 06:46

cancel your appt and suggest GP look at some gynae textbooks to check her facts. How many others is she worrying and putting through unnecessary appts/test? Buffoon

l39 · 11/12/2009 07:33

Just adding to the weight of evidence - didn't menstruate for 10 months with my first, though it was sooner the second and third times even though still breastfeeding. How busy your doctor must be, calling in loads of breastfeeding mums every 4 weeks for months. It's wasting everyone's time. A doctor should know better.

PrincessToadstool · 11/12/2009 07:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LoveBeingAMummyKissingSanta · 11/12/2009 07:42

As everyone has said very normal not to come back when bf.

HOWEVER it is not foolproof I can remember the last time I saw my MW. Her next visit was to a mum who had called her to say could she pop and see her as she was worried as although ebf for the last 6 months she was certain she could feel a baby moving in her tum Remember a period comes after an egg so you wouldn't know you could get pg till you do or have a period.

GoldenSnitch · 11/12/2009 07:47

I fed to 6 months and my periods came back after about 8. Perfectly normal.

I hope your Doc isn't putting patients off breastfeeding by suggesting it's not normal!