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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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

999 replies

MisterSafetyCatchIsNotOn · 04/01/2014 12:50

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

OP posts:
weebairn · 29/06/2014 19:36

Two BFPs!!!! Wonderful news. Huge congratulations MrsConfusion and beesandbutterflies. Lovely springtime babies.

mrsdiddlydoo · 29/06/2014 20:27

omg! had super busy weekend and should be packing to go camping but had to have a quick read on here and yay! amazing news MrsC and Bees! Big congratulations. I'm always so genuinely made up when ladies on this board get BFPs! Just shows BF and more babies can go hand in hand.

Big wave to everyone else. Can't believe how quickly time has passed Weebairn! 27 weeks! Won't be long now!

I better get back to my jobs. Least I can do them now with big smile on my face. Hoping this month is more lucky for me. Even if I just have a normal cycle I'll be happy! xx

rosepetalsoup · 30/06/2014 13:43

Congrats to those with the BFPs!!

I can't keep up with everyone's story - were those who got preg still bfing each day, and also how many months did it take? Thanks.

Giuseppino80 · 30/06/2014 16:27

Massive congrats - amazing news :) how exciting! Would love to hear the details too eg how much bfing, how long it took (and how long from when periods came back!) etc. thanks!

I have has the oddest couple of weeks but having done a bit of a search I am thinking am having bad reaction to weaning - has anyone else had this?

Think mentioned patches of ?fertile cm, then dry, then more fertile (this over 3 weeks and about 4/5 weeks after night weaning) but Also extreme fatigue, nausea, cramping, irritable, listless. I get the emotional bit but have been shocked with how ill and cramps I have been. W.T.F.....??!!!!!!!!

Still no sign of period.......
Today none of these symptoms at all

But am thinking all horrible symptoms are indicative of body re booting?

All advice welcome xxx

Messygirl · 30/06/2014 17:13

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

weebairn · 30/06/2014 18:50

My story goes like this rosepetals/Guiseppino -

Exclusively breastfed DD - went back to work at 10 months doing shift work so the feeding was a bit erratic from then but still usually 2-3 times a day. I didn't express, she just had food and water when I wasn't there.

Periods came back at 12 months, not very regular.

Night weaned at 14 months because I was very tired, also was doing night shifts sometimes at that point so even before night weaning she didn't always have milk in the night.

Took copper coil out when DD was 15 months old - got pregnant first month! (using the famous "weebairn method", i.e. loads of sex and no charting, haha) Was feeding twice a day at that point.

DD sadly stopped feeding at 20 months, I think my milk dried up. I am still a bit sad about this as I kind of wanted to feed till 2. I feel a bit guilty about going back to work and the shifts and everything, a bit muddled about it, whether she did really self wean, whether it was my fault.

I am 27 weeks pregnant now and DC2 is due on DD's 2nd birthday :) I am very tired but very blessed.

Beesandbutterflies · 30/06/2014 20:10

Hi,
My periods returned when my LO was 18 months, on one feed a day in the morning and an occasional day feed but rarely.
Had 2 weird cycles with spotting and a week long LP.
Then had a BPF :)

I'm quite confuse because clear blue says I'm 2-3 wks from conception but I'm only on 26 of my cycle. I'm over the moon though SmileSmile

For the already pregnant ladies, I'm getting scared of increasing my feeds (my LO was asking more than usual today) I'm worried it might cause problems, any advice?

Thanks for all the support ladies xx

weebairn · 30/06/2014 20:36

Hi bees, as far as I am aware there is absolutely no problem with bf of any frequency affecting your pregnancy. The only thing bf can affect is getting pregnant.

Some women find their milk dips when pregnant (even very early on) so that could be why LO wants more? Or it might just be coincidental. Some women find their breasts get very sensitive when pregnant too (I was fine).

I found DD was absolutely miserable and wanted loads more feeds every time I had a period. But she was fine when I was first pregnant. It was around 18,19,20 weeks she got angry and upset every time feeding, and I think my supply was gone by then (or switched to colostrum I suppose?)

Congrats again, I'm so excited and happy to read of bf ladies getting pregnant on this thread :)

Beesandbutterflies · 30/06/2014 20:49

Thanks weebairn you've made me feel loads better SmileSmile

MrsConfusion · 30/06/2014 21:59

Happy to share story as much as can remember!

Hard to know when AF came back as I was on the pill and wasn't sure if it was that of BF keeping things away. Stopped pill then came on, and been TTC since January (5 AFs), same length of time as for DD I just realized. She will be 21 months tomorrow Smile.

When we first started TTC was BF at least twice a day one work days, and often more at weekends. Been slowly cutting down so now less likely to feed in morning (I don't refuse if she asks properly rather than an absent-minded 'milk?' then wander off, but don't offer), so mostly it's just bedtime. Weekends still tend to be a bit more as we like snuggly morning feeds and nap-time treat too Smile

Bees I'm confused by CB dates too, but as Zoo said, the dates never tally between CB, doc and scan, so who knows!

Big waves to everyone.

Megs87 · 01/07/2014 18:40

Congratulations on the bfps :)

zoobaby · 01/07/2014 21:49

Great news Bees. I'm still treading water, first week of TWW. Bored.

junebaby2011 · 03/07/2014 19:23

Hi everone-sorry I've been a bit quiet recently feeling a bit down about TTC number 2. Still waiting for AF on day 45 now and I've had numerous BFN. Just wish my body would start working again!

I'm going see a friend next week who does acupuncture so hoping that May help.

On the BF side of things over the last couple of weeks DD has stopped feeding to sleep and is going to sleep while listening to stories. Think BF may be coming to an end although she still loves it in the morning!

Beesandbutterflies · 03/07/2014 20:08

Hi Junebaby I had acupuncture and it was really good, fingers crossed it works as well for you as it did for me :)

rosepetalsoup · 04/07/2014 10:34

Junebaby that's amazing about the BF - how old is your DD. Mine is 21 months nearly and still feeds to sleep (well not quite sleep but feeds to being put down quietly).

junebaby2011 · 04/07/2014 11:05

37 months (or 3 years last month!)

Still going strong!

rosepetalsoup · 04/07/2014 11:05

Wow! Amazing work.
I'm sure no. 2 will come along soon. xx

zoobaby · 04/07/2014 14:03

To the ladies whose DC now don't BF... how did that come about? Did they start refusing? Did you encourage a stop? Asking as DS is 21 months and only BFs at night and occasionally before day time nap (I.e. right this minute) when feeling under the weather. I notice that sometimes it's pg that starts the end, as it was for weebairn, however there's also june in TTC group.

Also do you give them cups of milk or just cheese/yoghurt for calcium. How about need routines? How didyou get around BF?

DS has his final two canine teeth coming now and I think I'm ready to consider total weaning once they're through. But to be honest the thought also fills me with dread.

zoobaby · 04/07/2014 14:06

The previous question should have asked how about night or sleep routines.

MisterSafetyCatchIsNotOn · 04/07/2014 15:59

Wow, 2 bfps, wonderful news bee and mrsc! Mrsc I meant to ask the other day how things were going after your super-long AF, maybe that was just your body's way of getting itself ready for the new little bean! What a brilliant surprise anyway.

I have been hiding away from anything ttc related for a few days feeling a bit sorry for myself after AF arrived last week, so sorry not to get in earlier with the congratulations. Just not really sure where to go from here as I feel like I'm running out of things I can do to up my chances, hopefully the GP next week will have some ideas. I have been using a fertility monitor this cycle (managed to get a free one!) and this morning it said high fertility, much to my surprise (it's one of those where you test every day from a certain day and it tracks the changes in your hormone levels and gives a reading of low, high or peak fertility). I'm only on cd8 and my shortest cycle since DS was 38 days so feel it's probably a mistake, but managed to fit in a quick baby-making attempt with DH this morning just in case! If my body is gearing up to ovulate next week that would be great, would love to have a more normal-length cycle for a change.

zoo it's me that is no longer bfing although my story might not be that useful to you. DS was ill (I think it was h,f&m) and feeding was hurting him so he would keep pulling off and screaming. After about 24 hours it just put him off and he refused to latch on again. For the first few days he would scream any time I offered, then gradually calmed down but then thought it was all a game (he would 'feed' his teddies and then laugh at me) at which point I knew he was done with breastfeeding for good, although I kept offering for a few weeks. If that hadn't happened I would have carried on til he lost interest I think. It was really hard at first, especially at night time as he had still been fed to sleep / for comfort early in the morning. He was ill as well so we had a couple of horrible days where he cried a lot (as did I - don't underestimate what stopping bf does to your hormones!) and nothing I could do would comfort him and then he just sort of got over it. I was still expressing for a couple of months after, with a manual pump that attached to a bottle so he had a bottle in the morning and evening, then just the evening. He now has a bottle of cows milk in the morning (screams and throws it across the room if I try a cup but we'll have to fight that battle soon!) and a cup before bed. Sometimes a cup in the afternoon if we're at home. My friend recently dropped the evening breastfeed though, she did the usual bedtime routine but left the room at the point she would usually bf and her DH offered a cup of milk instead, her DD was fine with it. Sorry that might be more information than you were looking for!

to June, amazing that you're still going strong at 37 months! I have heard good things about acupuncture (is on my list of possibles to try), hope it works for you!

OP posts:
mrsdiddlydoo · 05/07/2014 11:01

Hellooo! Back from camping and feel like I need a holiday!
June You'll have to let us know how the acupuncture goes. Lots of people recommend it, but I don't know much about it really.

I've been really emotional this week. Poor DH. Think Hope it is linked to my cycles getting back to some kind of normal and not because the MC seems to be hanging over me getting me down. Not sure if I've ov or not, or its about to happen, but have been getting some EWCM so have been SWI. Not quite the weebairn method but managing something Wink

Zoo Are you thinking about knocking BF on the head then? We manage a feed a day at the moment, first thing in the morning. DS gave up the bedtime feed relatively easily by me leaving bedtime routine to DH and DH offering a beaker of milk. He sometimes has a few sips, but often doesn't. We've introduced a beaker early in the morning so if I start to lose my head we could try doing the same in the morning. I'm convinced there is nothing left in my little pancakes! DS has loads of yogurt and cheese and other calcium rich food in his diet so I don't worry if he doesn't drink much cows milk. We have the first two canines coming through at the moment and he's been very bitey this week!

Is anyone else in the 2ww at the mo other than zoo? I'd like to think I'm approaching it but who knows Confused

Happy weekend everyone!

zoobaby · 06/07/2014 22:09

Mister it's awful to feel out of control isn't it. I did the CB dual hormone poas kit this month and was surprised when it hit high on day 10. Maybe that's where I went wrong the previous month? Thinking ov would be later. Hope yours is indeed accurate. Surely a fertility monitor would be even more high tech?

Thanks for the info about giving up BF mister and mrsd.. Not tmi. Never will be. I really appreciate you taking the time to share. BF is such a huge part of life right now and I always take great care and effort when considering changes. I want to know more before I do anything.

I find that DS is starting to take longer to doze off these days. No idea if that's a precursor of naturally stopping. Also wonder if I'm maybe producing less.

zoobaby · 06/07/2014 22:10

Oh yeah MrsD, I can't believe you made it through camping without a major meltdown. You're made of stronger stuff than me!!!!!

MisterSafetyCatchIsNotOn · 07/07/2014 10:03

Hi mrsd, how was the camping? I would love to go with ds but DH isn't keen and I'm a bit scared to try tbh! How do you manage bedtimes/sleep? (I guess bf helps!) sorry you had a tough week emotionally, it is all still so recent there is no reason you have to feel under pressure to be better / not be emotional about it any more, I think you have to allow yourself to come to terms with it in your own time (hope that doesn't come across patronising). Are you in your tww at the moment? How long to go?

Thanks zoo, fertility monitor is still coming out with high every morning so hopefully that means it's not a mistake! I don't know how long it's supposed to stay high for though, I know peak is 2 days but this is now the 4th day on high Confused DH is happy about that anyway. Hopefully it will turn to peak in the next couple of days! My ds stopped falling asleep on the boob unless really tired, but he was still just as keen on bf. Then he got to the point where he'd only feed for a couple of minutes in the evening and get distracted easily, he gave up shortly after that (although as I said it wasn't quite natural term weaning).

OP posts:
mrsdiddlydoo · 07/07/2014 10:47

morning!

Mister - The camping was just what the doctor ordered! We love being out and about and although we don't manage to do the crazy stuff we did before DS (but we will once he's older enough to join in!) it was so nice just to be outside for days on end, esp in high summer with daylight until gone 9.30pm. The constant fresh air seems to help DS fall asleep ok. We just used his travel cot at night and kept bedtime as normal as we could. I'd have kept him up around the campfire but to be honest his bedtime routine must be so drilled into him, once he'd had a wash and story and some milk he was ready for bed. Hardest bit was the 5am starts, but as the week went on he got use to cuddling up for a couple of hours which was so nice and reminded me of our cosleeping days before he got too fidgety. It was only our 2nd attempt of camping with him so I still find it all a bit scary, but there were others camping with little ones which helped me be a little less paranoid at how noisy our boy is. Our biggest problem is trying to fit us and the dogs and our stuff in the car. Woops long post alert. Sorry! You'll have to let us know how you get on at the doctors. Thinking of you.

I've just started the tww really. Happy DH with the weebairn method Grin but I'm knackered now and starting to wonder what is going to happen next. DH isn't very good at dealing with me being emotional and doesn't understand my little wobbles.

Ha I'm definitely avoiding doing my chores now. Hope everyone is ok.