TTC and still Breastfeeding? You are not alone - come to our bf-friendly cafe for a chat and some cake!

[MisterSafetyCatchIsNotOn]

Over here all breastfeeding ttcers! Welcome to our thread - a place for us to come for support, information and to talk about the extra challenges of ttc while still breastfeeding (or expressing like myself).

I thought I should go ahead and start the new thread as the old one is about to fill up and I didn't want anyone to get lost (hope that's ok Waiting and that you haven't already done this and I just missed it!)

For anyone who is new to the thread or needs a reminder, here are a few links to some useful websites (thanks Waiting for putting these together)

kellymom.com/bf/normal/ttc-while-bf/

kellymom.com/bf/normal/fertility/

www.llli.org/nb/nbmayjune04p114.html

www.fertilityfriend.com/Faqs/Fertility-charting-while-breastfeeding.html

Really, really planned to start a new healthy week today and just realised all I've had for lunch is crisps, coffee and chocolate, Oops. I'm sure I could have hit the before 9am this morning. Thankfully DS is napping for now.

June - not something I'd normally say but congrats on the bfn. I think I'm borderline putting off TTC in case it happens again, but then dc2 is I want in the whole wide world right now so I know once af turns up I'll change my mind and be ready to crack back on with the weebairn method. Have some and decaff or a nice healthy smoothie! Hope you feel a bit less down soon

June, my no-caffeine run crashed and burned today via two cups of coffee! Oops. Felt like my brain had been moved into turbo charge though, a rather more effective afternoon's work thank usual

Hope everyone is getting through the week OK?

Our planned weebairn method approach this month went a little astray with DH getting bad back (argh I broke him!) and then working superlate lots last night (and me being asleep before he got to bed) - BUT amazingly last night he asked me where in cycle we were and whether a quick SWI would be good plan - I had carefully avoided mentioning in case he got all stressed out (he did a bit last time, said it felt like I accused him of always being away on the crucial days). Hurrah!

Hmm, craving now. Must resist!

Just a quick check in to say hello, I have been reading whenever I can but still no internet at home probably for another week or 2 (all the technicians are apparently too busy to come out and connect my phone line, still have to pay for it though ). The move has gone well though, thanks for asking.
Strength to everyone trying to kick the caffeine, I am failing completely this week as DS has been sleeping terribly since the move, and with so much to do at the house and at work I can't get through the day without a strong coffee in the morning! Oh how I miss bf to get him back off to sleep quickly at 3am.
Mrsc are you due to ov soon then? I am cd19 but haven't been keeping track of anything, pretty sure I haven't ov yet and have been making a good weebairn effort despite the exhaustion.
Mrsd and June hope you are both as well as is possible right now and that AF arrives soon.
How long now til your scan Mad?

Hello peeps. Sunny here and I'm stuck at work (well lunch break atm). Wish I was out enjoying it. Hopefully the sun will stick around this weekend. How is everyone?

June any sign of AF? I still haven't had a BFN yet. Holding off testing again till beginning of next week.

Weebairn hope you're ok. Has DD shown any more interest in bf?

Mister that's rubbish having to pay for a phone connection that isn't connected yet. Do you think you've ov yet? Hope you're not too worn out . Got a good feeling about this month...

Mad You're getting closer to scan day. MS is a good (but annoying) sign (well so everyone says). It's all so nerve racking. Do hope you're ok.

I'm struggling to feel positive about anything at the moment. Sun helps a bit, but not enough. Wondering if I should stop BF to minimise the risk of problems when I get pregnant again, but can't imagine life without our special bf cuddles.

Been trying to motivate DH into making lots of plans to make the most of the summer. Hard work though! Have bought a new tent that we all fit in (hurry up postman!)and intend to go away next weekend. Have been spotting on off all week. Hoping its my body's way of normalising things. Don't want to wish time away but I could do with a slight fast forward right now. Wishing everyone a happy weekend. Hope you all manage to get some vitamin d!! and and all round

Hello all, hope you're enjoying some sunshine. Nice to top up on sunshine and play outdoors! (although currently getting sucked into the 1970s Willy Wonka and Chocolate Factory on TV while DD naps - used to love it as a kid).

AF arrived today Just when I thought I'd settled back into 28 day cycle, it arrives early. Ggggggrrrrrrrrrr. Ah well, even more effort needed next month!

MrsD be kind to yourself. Great that you're planning adventures for the summer, v impressed with planned camping! We were chatting the other day and decided we didn't dare try with DD yet, so you're putting us to shame - let usknow how it goes . I@ve been wondering whether to try more actively to cut down on BF too - it had mostly moved to just bedtime, but then recently she's been asking for morning milk too, and I really don't like saying no when she asks so seriously (sometimes she's happy with fridge milk, but recently she's been very insistent on BF again). Argh what to do?!?! Don't want to make her stop before she's totally ready, but also I'm not getting an younger for TTC.

Mad, hold on just a little longer, nearly at the scan. Fingers crossed that you get some reassurance. Bodies are amazing, but strange, things, and impossible to read sometimes. I'm sure all will be well.

Right. better go and do something useful in the garden before our little monster wakes up and wants to come out and help...

Hi ladies,
Can I join?
So confused, need a bit of moral support and chivvying along..

I have an 18mo, ttc no 2. bf 1-2x daily or occasionally more. I've only had 2 periods so far, one vv light one (I think a 6 day luteal phase) and a 'proper' one (8 day luteal phase - i ov tested) now it's 29 days on a I've spotted the tiniest amount, but I really don't think I've ov at all in the last 4 weeks, I've been waiting patiently but no Ewcm. I feel really nauseous and moody. I feel pg but a neg test.
I also spotted last week after dtd, which has never happened before.

I'm so confused, not thinking straight and I'm sure misreading these signs. I'm also on abs for mastitis, and the dr told me then I won't get pg whilst bfing

Any advice or your thoughts much appreciated. TIA

I have an 18mo, ttc no 2. bf 1-2x daily or occasionally more. I've only had 2 periods so far, one vv light one (I think a 6 day luteal phase) and a 'proper' one (8 day luteal phase - i ov tested) now it's 29 days on a I've spotted the tiniest amount, but I really don't think I've ov at all in the last 4 weeks, I've been waiting patiently but no Ewcm. I feel really nauseous and moody. I feel pg but a neg test.
I also spotted last week after dtd, which has never happened before.

I'm so confused, not thinking straight and I'm sure misreading these signs. I'm also on abs for mastitis, and the dr told me then I won't get pg whilst bfing

Any advice or your thoughts much appreciated. TIA

Hello, can I join? Bf a 25 month old and started ttc when she was 24 months. Got af today, (I think). Have been having regular periods since dd was 16 months old. Guess it was too much to ask that we would fall pregnant on our first month of trying, but still disappointing.

Afternoon all,

I'm not quite ttc #2 but hopefully won't be long. Another member pointed this thread out to me, so I have finally joined!

We have a 6.5mo ds and would ideally love an 18mo gap, so the aim is to start ttc in July/Aug this year. However, I ebf until 6mo and have been BLW since (ie not actually swallowing much food yet) so as near as damnit still ebf. DS is a booby monster and still feeds around 8 times per 24 hours. No sign of AF, as I expected really, so trying to decide whether to start ttc before she arrives or to wait so we know where we stand. I'm in my early thirties and a carrier for genetic condition that means all embryos have to be tested (with the possibility of having to terminate, sadly) so we don't want to hang around.

Hi Welcome new folk! Hope your time on here is short and wish you lots of luck TTC. The links in the first post are really super useful if you want to know more about BF and TTC.

Bees It took a while for my cycle to works itself out once AF returned and was a few months before it settled down which is completely normal. Your doctor is wrong and you can get pregnant whilst BF. This board is proof of that. Hope the antibiotics are helping the mastitis.

Littlefluffy Every month that passes can be disappointing, but it won't be long! Do you know when you ov each month or have a plan? One isn't needed! I fail temping and don't bother with sticks - just try to time as much action around when I ov as possible.

Welcome Kahpow - cool nickname! We did BLW of sorts and the amount they consume increases as the months pass. And eventually some feeds get dropped. Our DS is a food monster and has eaten lots since the word go, but still didn't reduce boob for quite a while.

Ah its lovely have some new peeps on here! Well we managed a bike ride in the sun followed by quick beer in the sun whilst grandparents had DS for a couple of hours yesterday. First time on a for 2 years! Pub in sun was amazing. Hope you all managed to enjoy a bit of it!

Hi ladies,
Thank you for your response mrsdiddlydoo. It's very reassuring

Did your cycle re establish without having to cut down bf further? I really don't want to cut down

I'm also having acupuncture to help with my crazy hormones

Good luck to everything else trying x

Bees Everyone has different experiences. In my case my first AF was around October (DS 7m) and my first few cycles were a bit mad and lasted about 35-40 days. Each AF got closer and closer together until I managed at least a couple of cycles of 27 days which is what it was for me pre DS. I didn't cut any feeds but just after Xmas DS stopped waking for night feeds and we quickly moved to just morning and bedtime bfs. Some really knowledgeable ladies frequent this thread so I'm sure you'll get more reassurance and useful information that I can give! There are different schools of thought about cutting feeds.

Well, after forgetting to get a test yesterday DS and I have been shopping and my cheapie test said BFN. woop woop! I've been worrying a lot, desperate to get back on with it. Weight off my shoulders. Hoping sensitive nipples might mean we're back in business and AF might make an appearance in the next week or so. Fingers crossed. This whole business is getting me down but the sun is shining and the house is a mess so I'm off to attempt to deal with it.

Mads Hope you're ok and MS isn't too terrible. Nearly scan day. Fingers crossed for some positive news later on this week. Thinking of you

Right...

Hi everyone and welcome to all the new posters.

Bees my cycles started again without any change to bf-but I did have to wait 25 month-dd did and still does like her milk!

Well out of the blue I got my period yesterday-with a cycle if only 25 days... Not sure what to think About this as cycles were pretty short before mc with a short luteal phase do hope it hasn't got even shorter! I suppose it nag take a few months to regulate! We managed to have swi a grand total of zero this cycle-so must try harder!

Hope everyone else ok.

Hello ladies

No bf here for over 2 weeks so I guess that's the end of that. Still feel a bit strange about it but DD has been super cuddly (as well as driving me up the wall the way only a 19 month old can) so just trying to make my peace with it, I didn't really want to tandem feed anyway. I was very very low (crying a lot) for about a week - not because I was upset I don't think, but just crazy hormones. Blah.

I am going on a cheeky weekend away with DP next week (grandparents are babysitting) which is the longest we've ever been away from DD so I guess it's well timed.

Anyway I had my 20 week scan last week and all fine so far with wiggly baby - though the little scamp wouldn't sit still for a heart examination so going back for another scan next week to look again. 21 weeks now. I am getting bigger! Though no one ever seems to notice. Told work last week as well. Am trying to get signed off night shifts, they are a bit of a killer pregnant.

Actually I feel mostly very low and overwhelmed and vulnerable - I was like this last time I was pregnant - though mostly loved the newborn bit when lots of women struggle - I guess I am never comfortable with my body not being my own. I hate admitting this when I wanted so badly to have another baby - still, over half way now! Last week I had freak outs about our teeny car, our lovely flat (but it has no garden), my job, my body, everything really! The only thing I feel ok about at the moment is actually having a new little baby. And I don't feel anxious about the pregnancy itself which is different to last time. I am way more lax this pregnancy and eat pretty much anything except blue cheese. And drink little teeny glasses of wine really quite often

junebaby I'm glad you've got back to a bfn but go easy on yourself. It is a really hard thing to go through physically and emotionally. If you need more time to feel sad or overwhelmed or like you can't face doing it all again, that's fine. I hope your real life people are looking after you well. Eating healthily is good (I always feel better for cleaning up my diet) but maybe include something nice for yourself in your plans as well (it doesn't have to be food!! I book a massage occasionally). Anyway, take care, been thinking of you. xxxx

mrsdiddly I'm not surprised you're wishing for a fast forward - wish we could do that for you. Plans are good, I like writing lists of fun or useful things to get me through the bad times. I'm not surprised you are having mixed feelings about bf but I don't think there is any evidence that bf causes problems with pregnancy (apart from delaying fertility return). Aalso from recent experience stopping makes you feel like absolute shit emotionally and that's the last thing you need right now…
As for TTC again right away, well only you know really. Could you take a middle ground, i.e. not use contraception but not plan and plot it? (Though this thread is testament to how rubbish we all are are just not thinking about it)
Been thinking of you too xxxx

LOL at you breaking your DH Mrsconfusion
I'm sorry you got your period. Shakes fist. Hoepfully June will be the month for you!

Thinking of you with scan tomorrow Madrigals

Hello to beesandbutterflies and littlefluffy and Kahpow
bees your doctor is just wrong, lots of women get pregnant when breastfeeding. It seems very variable with people's cycles. Mine returned at 1 year, but never became regular before I got pregnant when DD was 16 months. I didn't cut down and that was before I night weaned her (though I had returned to work so she was missing days and nights here and there with my shifts). I got my coil out the month I got pregnant so I don't really know when I actually became fertile again but it certainly was easier than I was anticipating. I have a friends who got their periods back at 6 weeks, and ones who did at 25 months. I was bf about 2-3 times a day when my periods came back.
littlefluffy I've also got my fingers crossed for June for you!
Kahpow 1 - I massively admire you for wanting to get pregnant again after only 6 months, I was absolutely terrified of the idea then Sounds very tough with having to test the embryos.
We did BLW and my DD (who ate a lot) took a couple of months before she started dropping feeds. I remember 6.5 months as being a very hard time, still bf every couple of hours AND preparing 3 meals a day which got chucked everywhere! 9 months was when it got much easier for me and she started going longer between feeds.

*

Still giggling at "the weebairn method" - given I have sex about once a week now!! (Maybe that's still quite good for pregnancy + toddler mind!)

Sorry for the essay didn't want to miss anyone!

Mrsdiddlydoo - BLW is so much fun, and he is gradually eating a bit more each day. Glad you enjoyed the weekend sunshine - it felt positively bank-holidayish!

Bees - if you feel pregnant but tested negative and got a teeny bit of spotting, could it have been implantation bleeding? If AF doesn't arrive within the week I'd test again. Maybe it's also the antibiotics messing your cycle up a bit? If you want more reassurance about whether you ov, have you thought about OPKs and/or temping?

Fluffy - good luck in cycle 2. How many cycles did it take to conceive #1?Regular cycles is a good start!

Junebaby - how long were your cycles before? 24-25 days with a shorter LP was my normal pre-pregnancy... look on the bright side, short 2WW!

Weebairn - ah how sad that your bf journey with DD is over but lovely that she self-weaned; I am not keen on going much over 2yrs but will be letting DS wean himself so I'll be torn too if he weans early. If he could wean on the day after his 2nd birthday that'd be great ;) Congratulations on the scan! I'm not sure if you should be impressed at us planning the next already... we are possibly insane.

Good luck today Mad (if I'm remembering right that your scan is today!)

Weebairn, sorry to hear the bfing has ended for you, I cried every day for at least a week, couldn't control it at all, so I know how you feel! You've done amazingly though, well done! Hmm, sorry if that sounds patronising

Waves to new people. I'm away over the weekend for a wedding and should have internet set up early next week, so I'll have a good read through and get back to everyone properly then. Nothing exciting happening here, no idea if I've ov'd, had some spotting yesterday (day 21/22 I think?) but just sitting this cycle out really as I've been too busy to think about it!

Hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and very confused - maybe you can help me out a bit?!?
I am ttc whilst breastfeeding my 12-month-old daughter - not had a post-partum period yet. I did quite a bit of research on nfp (in particular the billings method) in the last few months because I wanted to know when my fertile phase begins again.
Sorry for the tmi in advance! Well, after the post-birth bleeding, I was completely dry, no cm at all, up until February this year (birth was April 2013). In February, I started getting small amounts of EWCM-like mucous. It came every day and was only ever a small amount and only a little stretchy, but clear.
A few weeks ago, the mucous changed. It dried up for a week or two. Then, I got yellowish, thick and unstretchy mucous for 2 days, followed by a large amount of classic EWCM for exactly 1 day. After that, all cm dried up completely and I had exactly 7 dry days. Ever since the last dry day, I've had medium amounts of white-ish, long streaks of mucous, which aren't very stretchy.
Well, the large amount of EWCM was 2.5 weeks ago now. I assumed when I had it that I'd finally ovulated, especially as it all dried up completely afterwards. However, 2.5 weeks later there has been no period and about 4 pregnancy tests (taken 13, 14, 15, 16 and 18 days after the suspected ovulation) have come back negative.
Has anyone else had something similar? I understood cm to be a relatively reliable indicator of fertility. But I have no idea what's going on now! I'm a bit confused as I was so certain that I had ovulated. Can anyone help me or explain what that could have been?
Thanks in advance, essre

Hi all, wandering back in here feeling despondant - again!

Lat month wasn't our month again and my best friend has announced she is pregnant. I am beyond thrilled for her and so, so happy that after a long TTC it has finally worked for them, yet I have a horrible stab of jealousy which I hate myself for.

To make matters worse another friend just announced she is pregnant with DC2 yet just a couple of months ago was saying they weren't trying so it looks like the got lucky quickly. Anyway, just feeling down in the dumps and self indulgent.

I have dispatched DH to buy agnus castus whiche I think helped us conceive DS so hoping for better luck soon. Why is TTC so rubbish?

essre you might want o look at ovulation predictor sticks on ebay, you use them like a pregnancy test, it's the best way when BFing and not having periods to be sure you are ovulating, I found my cm was all over the map for about 6 months before my periods returned and we didn't get pregnant in that time, although trying, but half heartedly.

Hope everyone is ok

Hi everyone!

Woo hoo Mad! Very pleased today went well. Super happy for you. It makes such a difference seeing that HB. MS, chest infection and migraine all at once!?! Hope you have your feet up and are taking it easy with lots of and

Welcome Essre! My CM can give me a good indication of when I'm about to ov but I do find that BF seems to mess it up and I get it sometimes when I'm not fertile.

It sucks TTC sometimes Orchidflakes. Completely agree and so fed up of RL pregnancy announcements, new babies, new parents all full of happiness and joy... pregnancy related posts on FB, people constantly asking whether we want anymore... when no 2 is coming along...Well actually I lie... I can't resist a new baby. They are so yummy scrummy.

Weebairn - how exciting... a DD free weekend! Very well timed and you definitely deserve it. I start crying as soon as I even think about not BF. It won't be long and you'll be doing it all over again. As for making lists - I have at least 3 just for this weekend's camping trip. I'm not a control freak I like to think I'm super organised. You have to be living with my DH. I didn't enjoy being pregnant with DS and as well as feeling happy for everyone who loves it, I envy those that sail through it feeling great and happy and positive about everything. I worried about everything and I spent the whole pregnancy pretending to be ok and not pregnant!

Big wave to everyone else!

So this week is being completely chaotic in a mainly happy busy way and when I stop I suddenly wonder if AF could be on her way. Hope so, but could be wishful thinking. DS has finally started walking. Backwards and forwards between the TV and the sofa over and over again. DH has a mentally busy day tomorrow at work and I don't see how we will ever make it camping. So much to do and pack. Self induced stress - who's idea was it to go away. He has just put up our new family sized tent up in the back garden and it's massive!! I'm zapped of energy and feel hormonal. Come on AF...

Oops I forgot - June Fingers crossed your cycles get back to normal quickly, preferably this month, and its a lucky one...

Yay so pleased for you Madrigals (the HB on scan of course, not the migrane )

Just thought I'd let you know bubs was born on Sunday and just to prove me wrong, she's a GIRL! Looks just like her big sis at the moment too. DD1 is excited and loving most of the time I must admit I had forgotton how painful BF is in the early days, but at least this time I know it'll improve soon! Nothing major just combination of flattish nipples, small mouth and slight tongue tie, so should improve a lot as she gets a bit bigger, if she's like her sister anyway! The good news is labour is MUCH easier and faster the second time round

Hopefully I'll be back posting here again before too long (lots of FX!) so will be watching out for your preg and birth updates!