Fertility and Breastfeeding 19 month old

[coconutfeet]

Not sure whether this should be in Conception or here so I'm putting it in both. Sorry for the repetition.

I've heard in other places that BFing can make it harder to get pregnant, even if your periods have returned. I'm wondering what truth there is in this.

I'm BFing my 19 month old ds and trying to get pregnant. I know I'm ovulating, as I've been taking my temperature, and my cycle is very regular.

Is there any research to suggest that BFing could have any effect? My ds is happy with a feed in the morning and one at night while I'm at work (3 days a week) but asks for milk quite a few times during the day when I'm with him. Is there a relationship between number of feeds a day and fertility once your periods are regular again?

Of course it may have nothing to do with it, and I wouldn't want to stop BFing for no reason, but I'm wondering whether I'm making things harder for myself by carrying on. Unfortunately I'm getting on a bit so waiting isn't really an option.

Bump

Come over to the TTC and breastfeeding thread in conception - lots of us in the same boat!

I have been on hols this week and DD feeding a lot - and cycle has disappeared again. So for me I think there is a link.

Anyway come on over!>>>>>>>>

I think it is that breastfeeding suppresses ovulation, and the first few periods while still breastfeeding can be non-ovulatory so you can't assume you are fertile if your periods have returned.

If you are charting and are fairly sure you have ovulated, I'm not sure what else breastfeeding could make difficult really. If you are having periods you are clearly building up the womb lining each month.

I remember reading somewhere that where no contraception is used and extended BF is the norm, children are often spaced 18 months - 2.5 years apart.

My problem is luteal phase ie time between ovulation and period is too small. Needs to be at least 10 days. When 'transitioning' back to full fertility you can ovultae but not have a long enough LP for implantation.

I always through it only really had a contraceptive effect when you are breastfeeding very heavily, i.e the 1st 6 months or so. I fell pregnant, the second month of trying, when my son was 19/20 months and I was breastfeeding him in an almost identical pattern to you.

I could not get pregnant for love nor money ( well, actually there wasn't any money offered, only love!) when bfing ds3. I bfed him for 2.8 years. After stopping I was pg within 2 months. Purely anecdotal, I know!

Thanks for the responses. So, it seems to me that it doesn't affect most women, but may affect some, like Chipmonkey. Trouble is, how do you know if you're one of them...

I'll look out the thread and come and join you! It's interesting (and frustrating I'm sure) that the amount you feed seems to affect your cycles, Fanny.

Chipmonkey - As far as you know, was there a difference in your cycle after you stopped BFing?

I did have some spotting midcycle when bfing but hadn't stopped for long enough to notice if it would have continued as I got pg so quickly after stopping.

it depends ont he person i got my 3rd ds whilst breastfeeding my dd when she had just turned one, it didn't supress my ovulation, I breastfed a lot too as dd did nto like her food and it still happened after just the one time