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

Congrats on your scan Madrigals

Lovely news eggsnbeans! How old is your DD1? Am glad to hear she is happy about it all!

I definitely want to hear labour is quicker and easier second time round, mine was 30 hours and pretty intense (though entirely straightforward) and I was falling asleep between contractions by the end... under 12 hours would make me a very happy bunny :)

Afternoon all!

MisterSafetyCatch - enjoy the wedding!

Mad - hurrah for hb, congratulations!! They dated me forwards at my 8w scan too, but came back in line with my dates at the 11 week point. Sorry your sickness has bben bad - what was it like with your first?

Hi Essre, sorry I can't help much as I used OPKs and temping for ovulation last time so didn't pay much attention to CM - I do know though that my CM during pregnancy and since has been all over the place!

Orchid - so sorry you're having a crappy time of it. Do you have a short LP?

MrsDiddly - fingers crossed for AF arriving!

Congrats eggsandbeans! Flash us a pic, we all love a squishy newborn.

Weebairn - 30 hours?! Eeesh. I though 11 hours was quite tiring! I clearly have no stamina!

AFM no real news, back on the folic acid since we're hoping to start trying in a couple of months (although realistically I can't see ovulation happening that soon.) Also going to order some OPKs and ICs as I think we'll stop using condoms in July, so I'll need to monitor things just in case.

Congratulations mad-so pleased for you.

Will read and post properly later.

ooo fantastic news eggsnbeans! Thank you for coming and sharing your fab news with us. Love that you're already planning your return! I know the first thing I said after DS was handed over was 'can we have another?'!!

Well we're having the BH weekend from hell. Ok I can imagine worse but lack of sleep and hormones talking but booked in with OOH doctors this morning for DS who was sent home from nursery on Friday and is still not right. And yes... I mentioned hormones... AF arrived yesterday. Finding it all a bit emotional but happy that's all over and looking forward to TTC again.

Hope you're all having a good weekend

Hello ladies, do you mind if I join in? I'm currently BFing 20mo DS and we're just starting to seriously TTC #2. AF has been around for over 12 months now, averaging 30 day intervals so have my fingers crossed that everything is in working order. I'm approaching a milestone age (yikes, where did that come from?) so it's one of those things, where you just never do know til/if you succeed.

Obviously I haven't been able to read through 530 posts, but I've read enough to know that we're going to pursue the weebairn method (is the trademark pending?). I also see that every single aspect is totally different for everyone, so "arrrgh" to that! I obsessively charted for DS, but can't be bothered this time around due to the spate of night wakings I'm currently enduring thanks to the canine teeth. So I'm just keeping an eye on CM, using predicted OV days based on the 30 days average and then applying the obligatory weebairn method. What do you think? A recipe for success?

I wonder if increased night waking and increased level of BF will have an impact on fertility, or the likelihood of successful conception. Does anyone have any thoughts on that?

I'll hopefully be entering the 2WW today or tomorrow. Since this is the first cycle of seriously trying, it's starting to get real and I have to prepare myself for a wait. Too bad I'm incredibly impatient in relation to this particular subject. With DS, the temperatures gave it away before I even tested, but this time around I'll have to wait. What to do with myself? I'll be relying on DS to keep me distracted (pretty sure he'll rise to the challenge).

hey lovelies.

Had another scan this morning at 22+1. (Baby wouldn't sit still enough to finish the 20 week one a couple of weeks ago!) All well. Gender still a surprise.

Still feel a bit sad about the end of bf. Boyfriend reckons DD will start up again when she sees milk after the baby is here. I don't know if she'll be able to remember that long, or whether I want her to… not sure. She still asks for milk sometimes and it breaks my heart to say no, but I think she would just be upset. I can't even express a teeny drop any more.

Ah, changing times.

Nice to see so many new people on here and wishing all of you all the best with the stresses of TTC! I wish I could sell a book called The Weebairn Method and make lots of cash, there's nothing to say except have lots and lots of sex, haha.

AF is lasting FOREVER! Usually dead on 7 days, currently at day 11 and counting. Used more than twice the normal tampax ration. Sorry TMI but need somewhere to rant and ask what on earth is my body doing?? DD poorly at the moment so we're suddenly back to nightfeeds after months without, my poor boobs must be so confused...

So glad all well weebairn with your wriggler!

Looking forward to hearing about some BFPs this month, come on girls let's get at it

Welcome Zoobaby!! Hope u have a quick 2ww. Your plan sounds spot on to me.

Weebairn I read that some toddlers will ask for boob again when mum starts BF again. Some manage it whilst others forget how to and just try again before getting bored. Glad all was well with your scan :)

MrsC I haven't a clue what my body is doing so unable to provide useful comments on yours! Hang on in there.

I've just had to intervene at bathtime. DS has been screaming for at least 15 minutes and I can't take anymore. DH is insisting no dummy where as I can't think straight and the screaming is cutting right through me. Grrr he's been unwell all week. What's wrong with a comforter. Just been and put it in!

Feeling anxious about TTC again. Hope everyone else is ok. Agree with MrsC - Lets get to it girls. I want to hear news of BFPs

Weebairn, I've read a couple of books that are hundreds of pages long where you get to the end and you think to yourself that there was really only one point being made, just from several different angles. There could still be something in that for you. Or perhaps a spot on morning television?

Good grief MrsC, seriously 11 days? I empathasise with the frustration of constantly monitoring and analysing your bodily functions. You can't seem to think of anything else and spend the whole day concentrating on it. You do it during the whole TTC phase and then for the next 9 months. Sometimes it just seems endless.

MrsDiddly, since having DS I have adopted the philosophy... sometimes for your own sanity you have to take the path of least resistance. This doesn't mean that you're not going to have to face it one day, just maybe not today.

I know what you mean about being anxious TTC. I actually feel quite ridiculously embarrassed/uncomfortable when the time approaches. Weird. I just approach it as a job that needs to be done. Not very romantic I know!

And AF has gone! 14 days. Madness! Dear body, what are you up to? (sorry for overshare, can't really tell anyone in RL all about AF!).

Back to SWI tonight, tee hee

So sorry to hear MS so rough Mad, is there anything that helps? I lived off ready salted crisps and fizzy water. It will pass, it really will, just survive this bit!

DD full of cold and cough here, so likely to be another disturbed night. At least she's shaken the fever off. Poo wee thing.

Hope you're all having nice weekends

Hello all, I am very pleased to find this thread! We are now ttc baby No. 3. I am Bf our 15 month old about 5/6 times a day and he mostly sleeps through the night! I had been on the depo provera, but had the last 1 around start of Jan. I started getting my periods around his birthday (3 March), and the first 1 was a few weeks long, though not heavy and stop starty. Since then periods still all over the place, I don't seem to go more than a week without something but generally its barely anything! Just started period yesterday, and it may be a bit more normal (more cramps, pmt :-() Not even sure if I am ovulating?????

I havent been charting anything yet, but thought I would start now to get more of an idea of whats going on!?!

Sorry if tma, but there we go! And here we go again!! Looking forward to chatting with you all

Can I pull up a chair? Think I might fit in here! Just started TTC number 3 and still breast feeding my 14 month old Number 2 morning and evening, she' mostly dropped her mid afternoon feed but still has it occasionally. Periods came back when she was about 9 or 10 months I think (about the time we reduced night feeds). Cycle still somewhat variable, so far between 32 and 45 days. Hmmm. But I think it's getting generally shorter and I've never been one for dead on cycles and got pregnant very easily with numbers 1 and 2 so hoping we'll be fortunate again. But I'm still feeding more that I was when conceived the last one! On CD19, DH been away for 4 days and had thrush so no use trying to figure out anything from CM (not that I ever paid it any attention in the past) so trying not to hold my breath for this month, think we'd be supreemly lucky to have achieved anything! So, here we go again. Look forwrd to chatting.

Hi everyone

Hope everyone had a good weekend. DH has taken today off so we finally feel like we are having a BH/long weekend which is much needed atm. I must be CD7 or 8 now so thinking about getting back to it Still feel a bit strange/anxious about stuff, but nothing a large glass of wine won't solve when the time comes to it.

Welcome Mea and Flowery!

Mea - Your DC2 and my DS are about the same age. Did you conceive them whilst still BF? Just had to google depo provera. Haven't used contraception in ages! My mind is a blur!

Flowery - Fingers crossed you fall pregnant easily again!

Mad - MS sucks. Hope you are managing to keep something down. Must be harder this time round with a toddler in tow? Hopefully won't be long before you are full of energy and feeling great again. Would offer but probably won't help.

Zoo - I'm definitively not feeling romantic atm. Relying on hormones to help change the way I feel by next weekend!

How is everyone atm?

Darn hit post before I meant to. Was gonna suggest a roll call because it feels like it has been ages and we have some new faces?

I'll start...

1 DS aged 15, on cycle 7 or so of AF post DS. MC cycle 6 at 10 weeks. DS bf once or twice a day.

Ooh lots of lovely new faces, welcome everyone! We finally have internet so I'm going to have a proper read through and respond this evening, think it might take me a while! For now my roll call:

MisterSafety, ttc no.2 after DS (23 months). Now about 9 months in with irregular and annoyingly long cycles! Currently waiting for AF to show up again.

We have been so busy with moving house, illness for both me and DS and crazy amounts of work that I have completely failed with ttc efforts this month. I haven't charted at all or paid attention to CM etc, but pretty certain I'm now in the luteal phase (my ff app tells me it's cd38!) We managed a week or 2 of good weebairn effort but no idea if it was at the right time, so it would be pretty miraculous if we got pg this month! I had a couple of days of spotting at some point, like last cycle, so I should probably see a GP about that plus the long cycles, bit scared to though!

Will be back later, but today am looking after a tired and poorly ds so will save the proper catch up until he's in bed!

Roll call:

Flowery boots, cycle 1, ttc no. 3. No. 2 is 14 months, feeds morning and evening, periods returned at 9/10 months, cycles 32 - 45 days (so far). Unwittingly been using spermicidal lube , oops, so massive long shot this cycle but conceive plus now purchased!

On CD 20 I have just worked out. DH getting home tonight after 4 days away. I guess with variable cycles it's still worth grearing ourselves up for some bedroom antics.

Hope you are feeling ok madrigals at least morning sickness is a really good sign!

It's so nice to see many new people and hope we all have good news soon!

Still feeling a little anxious too mrs especially now we are actively trying again.

Roll call:

Junebaby (age 37) DD is going to be 3 next Monday (bf for 36 months!) and shows no sign of stopping (would feed all day long if I let her and 3/4 times a night). Periods returned at 25 months-TTC-cycle 1 mc at 5 weeks, cycle 4 mmc at 10 weeks, hoping 3rd time lucky! (am in middle of cycle 6).

I'm so sorry you're suffering with morning sickness Madrigals. I found it much worse this time round, but it did all clear up by 14 weeks. It felt very endless getting there though. Minimalise your life as much as possible and rest rest rest…

mrsdiddly and june you are both so fab and brave. All the best and yes definitely wine for wobbles!

my roll call even though I don't really belong here any more…!!

weebairn, DD is 20 months, just recently stopped bf , 23 weeks pregnant with babba no 2 due september 30 - DD's birthday!

waves pom poms for all

My Roll call

DD 8 bf for 2 wks :-( , DS 15 months today still bf :-), On 4th AF since they started again(though 1st that feels much more like a real period), Just started ttc.

Could someone explain about the terms please, cycle numbers etc? Bit confused and rusty on all the abbreviations too!

Hi meamomma-

Cycle is just the length of one period/ovulation before the next period arrives-so I have had 5 periods since TTC (trying to conceive) so am halfway through cycle 6 not sure that makes sense!

Mc-miscarriage and mmc-missed miscarriage.

Well I am on cycle day 16 and would usually be gearing up for ovulation on day 17.. I started testing around day 12/13 and I was getting quite dark lines on day 13, so thinking mc may have changed cycles a little. Will keep testing though as I have bought different ovulation testing sticks (internet cheepies) and not so sure about them.

Hello everyone, can I join?

DD is 27 months and bf once in the day and several times during the night. I had an AF at Xmas, but nothing since.

Last week my nipples became REALLY sore, out of the blue, and then I had some spotting. Test negative so far but it took me ages to get a positive with DD so I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
I do feel a bit mad though, I thought if very unlikely without AF returning so maybe the nausea and headaches are in my head!

Good luck everyone and congratulations x

Good luck boulie and welcome hope it will be BFP for you.

I am now 18 dpo which is around the time I would usually ovulate but instead feel sick, have headaches and tender breasts.. Trying not to get my hopes up as we only dtd twice this cycle on day 13 and 15...

So new roll call in absolutely no particular order at all...(sorry if anything is wrong, please feel free to correct me!)

MisterSafety, ttc no.2 after DS (23 months). Now about 9 months in with irregular and annoyingly long cycles! Currently waiting for AF to show up again.

catellington, 16m DD

OrchidFlakes, 21m DS

Junebaby (age 37) DD is going to be 3 next Monday (bf for 36 months!) and shows no sign of stopping (would feed all day long if I let her and 3/4 times a night). Periods returned at 25 months-TTC-cycle 1 mc at 5 weeks, cycle 4 mmc at 10 weeks, hoping 3rd time lucky! (am in middle of cycle 6).

zoobaby, BFing 20mo DS and just starting to seriously TTC #2. AF has been around for over 12 months now, averaging 30 day intervals

MrsConfusion, BF DD1 19m, these days just at wake-up and bed-time, and sometimes a sneaky lunchtime/naptime feed at weekends. AF returned in December, TTC since Jan.

mrsdiddlydoo, 1 DS aged 15m, on cycle 7 or so of AF post DS. MC cycle 6 at 10 weeks. DS bf once or twice a day

Meamomma DD 8 bf for 2 wks :-( , DS 15 months today still bf :-), On 4th AF since they started again(though 1st that feels much more like a real period), Just started ttc.

Flowery boots, cycle 1, ttc no. 3. No. 2 is 14 months, feeds morning and evening, periods returned at 9/10 months, cycles 32 - 45 days (so far). Unwittingly been using spermicidal lube , oops, so massive long shot this cycle but conceive plus now purchased!

Beesandbutterflies, 18mo, ttc no 2. bf 1-2x daily or occasionally more. 2 periods so far, one vv light one and a 'proper' one

littlefluffy, Bf DD 25 month old and started ttc when she was 24 months. Has been having regular periods since dd was 16 months old.

Kahpow, not quite ttc #2 but hopefully won't be long. Almost 7m ds and would ideally love an 18mo gap, so the aim is to start ttc in July/Aug this year.

essre, ttc no2, bf 12-month-old DD

goodbyeyellowbrickroad, planning to start TTC in the next couple of months. Still breastfeeding DS who'll turn 2 in June 3x a day. AF returned when DS was 14 months and have gone back to a regular but slightly longer cycle.

boulie DD is 27 months and bf once in the day and several times during the night. I had an AF at Xmas, but nothing since

Who have I missed?

and alway, always welcome recent graduates with babies and bfps!

eggsnbeans 2 wk old DD2
weebairn, DD is 20 months, just recently stopped bf sad , 23 weeks pregnant with babba no 2 due september 30 - DD's birthday!
MediumOrchid - 17 wks pg (is that right?)
Madrigals Almost 10 wks pg

No doubt I've forgotten someone?!! Anyone else out there? Let me know. Now. officially. brain. dead.