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

toes, I definitely gained weight when AF was about to reappear! Not the first time (which was when DS was 7.5mo) but certainly on the second cycle. I posted on the BF board about it because I felt so crap (weight gain, nausea, dizziness).

The third cycle wasn't so bad and this last cycle - which was much shorter, and more like pre - DS cycles, was even better.

I've shed the bit of weight I gained so now feel like I might actually someday be back at pre pg weight,

My DS is 10.5 mo toes so they're not too far apart!

AF arrived yesterday. A day late. Trying to be positive but it's not happening. GBBO and wine helped a little last night.

Anything great news on the return of your AF (funny how we want it to come back sometimes!!). Good luck with your TTC efforts

Eagle Is that the one that gives you 2 fertile days? Do you know when you use to ov before DS? Depending how many sticks you have I'd probably start a bit earlier than cd24 to make sure you don't miss it. If you're cycle use to be around 31 days maybe try around day 18/19 or go based on your body's signs. I'm really not an expert though! Only done a month of OPK myself and I have the dual hormone one with 4 day window.

Gonna go hide again now.

Ahh no MrsD. But as you said... action plan for the new month.

Eagle the info leaflet will tell you when to start using the kit. I found that visual spotting of EWCM hasn't been as simple for me since having DS. I feel like there's hundreds more "folds" or crevices for it to get stuck in, if that makes sense (a bit like how the umbrella never goes back in its cover, and a map never folds perfectly the same).

Sorry to hear that mrs d :( Onwards and upwards this month.

GBBO did produce some amazing biscuits last night - that dragon was incredible.

There are 7 sticks with the digital monitor - it's 2nd hand so no leaflet but I looked at the leaflet online. I think I ovulated around Day 15/16 with about a 31 day cycle before DS.

Great description zoo!!! DS was born by EMCS :( so crevices are much the same as before. I get cramping around ovulation time too and last month I noticed my pumping output dipped dramatically around te time of EWCM. Am I right in saying the best time for conception is the 48 hours before EWCM though?

Great to see some more BFPs! Congratulations zoobaby and rosepetal and hope your pregnancies go very smoothly :)

Thanks for the wave mrsdiddlydoo. So sorry to hear of AF arriving. Definitely a few treats for you for the next few days. Have a gin and tonic in the sunshine…

Just popping in to say hi really. 33+3 here and feeling very tired and slow! Work is a killer, got 3 weeks left, but might stop sooner as I work on my feet and quite long shifts. Trying to prep DD for baby but no idea what I'm doing really and whether she understands! (She's 22 months)

Have to say I'm really missing breastfeeding and looking forward to doing it again. (Which is stupid as the early weeks of bf are no fun at all!) DD has recently learned to say "the boob" ("da boob" it comes out as, like a gangster") and she pats me on the chest sagely and then says "for bay-bee".

Boyfriend is convinced she is going to start feeding again though! We'll see. I'm not totally opposed to the idea but I wonder if she'll have forgotten how.

Pregnancy has been incredibly straightforward so far, just tired and a bit low/anxious at times, but no real issues at all so planning for hopefully another straightforward birth and counting my blessings (also whining about being pregnant quite frequently )

Eagle my understanding of ewcm is that it's the fertile CM indicating that OV is about to take place and that it helps the sperm navigate to the egg, making the path more hospitable. Chances are that when it passes then OV had occurred, though I've read that temperature shift is the only way to know for sure that OV has happened.

Hope you're faring ok Mister.

How's everyone doing this weekend. weebairn have read back through the thread and think DH would definitely approve of your method!

I had some acupuncture yesterday, so hopefully that will help AF to come back. She says we need to enrich my blood and is sending me lots of foul smelling herbs to brew up and drink. I am going to feel like a witch.

Sorry missing '?' At the end of my first sentence.

weebairn I'm happy everything has stayed boring for you. Won't be long now! Very excited and happy for you You'll have to let us know if DD does try 'da boob' again and if she remembers what to do! Love she knows it's for the baby now. DS only feeds first thing but frequently says boobies at various point during the day and likes to check they are still there. Doesn't try to feed though. Haven't noticed him checking other ladies boobs out... yet! Hopefully he won't try that on the nursery girls.

Gunpowder oooo I'm intrigued by the witches brew!? Do you know what she is sending you?

My weekend isn't going so well. Really struggling with AF. I know I'll bounce back properly in a few days, but atm wallowing in my state of not being pregnant. Kind of swinging between holding it together and being a meanie mo to DH.

Have realised that our next TTC time will be whilst we're on holiday in a small rented cottage with my parents. Boo and gross. Not going to be easy SWI. eek!

Eagle the EWCM is meant to signal ov is on its way and that you are at your most fertile time. Its the perfect environment to help wrigglers get to where they need to be and is meant to nourish them so they can survive longer. I get different stages of EWCM (sorry tmi) but its the really goopy stretchy stuff that is meant to signal go go go!

Hope everyone else is ok? Lots of sunday and in my case all round. It's chocolate flavour in our house this week.

Thanks for the EWCM info! I looked back over my dates around DS's conception (sad I know!) and we DTD the 2 days before I saw lots of EWCM so that is good to know.

mrsdiddly, glad to hear you're having lots of nice things this weekend. I think wallowing is allowed, esp when AF is in town.

My ILs are away for the best part of 2 weeks so we are going for the weebairn method DH thinks all his Christmases have come at once - my sex drive has been virtually nil since DS was conceived.

gunpowder, the drink sounds intriguing! Looking forward to hearing whats in it and what it tastes like.

Hope everyone's having a good weekend! Hope you're feeling well, zoo, and thanks for sharing your tried and tested method weebairn :) You'll have a snuggly winter with the new baby!

Oh and mrs, that's a pain about your next TTC time. It can be done, DS was most likely conceived while my FIL napped next door!

Mrs and Eagle I will update you on the minging witch herbs when they arrive!

Mrs I reckon having your DP's next door could add a frisson.

Hope you are feeling better now mrsdiddly! Eagle I love that you kept a shagging diary first time round I wish I had thought of that!

I am very excited because I have cramping, am tired and am completely irrational (poor DH! )All signs that AF may be returning! I haven't had a period for 32 months (yep, I am like a frickin' elephant) so feel a bit like I am 12 again and should be stocking up on giant ST's and chocolate.

I like keeping records of things and seeing as we thought we'd give TTC a go, it made sense to keep a record of when we DTD!!!

gunpowder, that sounds v positive for the return of AF. Or maybe you caught the first egg :)

Haha, I haven't thought of Judy Blume in a loooooong time! When my AF returned I was so surprised by it. I had nothing in the house and spent a good half an hour in Boots looking at the new products that had come out since last year!!!

Thanks Gunpowder. I am feeling a bit better. I was hoping for an update on your witches herbs and whether you've bought a broom and cauldron yet Hope they arrive soon. Thought of you whilst I popped into Holland and Barratt to buy some normal boring non witch vitamins. Hang on a minute ... there's a drawing of some carrots and flowers on the front of the packet. Will the brew have them in it?

And OMG Judy Blume. Just tried figuring out how long ago she was in my life... bloody hell. When did I get old!

I've never managed to keep a shagging diary, but I have at least 5 years worth of calendars that are covered in crosses and other symbols to show what happens in my cycle.

How you feeling Zoo?

Well I'm on leave now. DS is at nursery. House full of chores to do. Is it wrong to go for a sleep? I'm cream crackered.

Hello a you TTC BFers!
I popped here afew months ago in preparation but we're now well and truly TTC
LO is 14 months and I've had 2 periods now. The last just finished yesterday so we are go go go!!
What can I do to increase our chances in conceiving? I'm only BFing 1-3 times a day (it's been like this for a couple if months). We cosleep (LO starts the night in his cot in our room then comes in bed with us if he wakes). I read that co sleeping can reduce chances of TTC. Any advice you have to offer would be fab!
I'm thinking of getting a ovulation test from the chemist just to check. If I'm having periods now am I definitely ovulating? hangs head in shame as should've paid more attention in health class at school

Witch herbs arrived yesterday. There are loads so will try and upload a picture. Hopefully they don't taste as bad as they smell. Your carrot and flower vitamins sound much more appealing mrsd!

Still no AF here. Eagle I would love to catch the first egg!

Hello Cherry I think you can have anovulatory cycles even if you have your periods back, so maybe worth temping/peeing on opks to check. I LOVED cosleeping. Didn't turf DD out until she was 20 months. I think it can delay the return of fertility, especially if you have an all night feeder like I did, but would have thought 2-3 feeds would be fine.

I hope you did get to have a sleep mrsdiddly IMO daytime sleeps are one of the best things about having DC.

Argh I'm so cross I have to rant! Bought CB ovulation kit (2 test holders and 7 sticks) online. Used 4 this week and no smiley.
Had loads of EWCM last night so thought this morning would be a good bet for a smiley. But I got the error message!!! What a waste of a stick!
Plus DS has had his "settling in" week in nursery this week and last night he spiked a temp of 39. He was up most of the night snuffling, crying and boobing. Poor little lamb. So no chance for DTD last night either. I think this month with not be our month :(
gunpowder, if the herbs taste as bad as they smell, just add honey! I find that masks most yucky tastes
Lying awake with DS last night, I was thinking of all the illicit Judy Blume reading I did when I was 11/12. Particularly remember the book Tiger Eyes. Good memories.
Hope everyone else had a good week and here's to a healthy weekend!

How frustrating Eagle OPKs so expensive. When you get an error message it seems like a personal affront! This month I got my EWCM for the two days before I got my smiley opk, (never had a positive one before) so maybe today or tomorrow could work for you? Will have my fingers crossed.

Hope your DS recovers soon. It is the worst thing in the world when they are ill, but always makes me glad I'm still feeding and can offer some comfort.

Oh my goodness I remember Tiger Eyes! Was that the really racy one or was it Forever?

Oh and thank you for honey tip. Will try it!

If I remember correctly, Tiger Eyes was pretty racy. Think she was dating an older boy and there may have been some fumbling! I'm not sure that I read Forever but I remember reading about masturbation in Deenie and being appalled and thrilled! That's Catholic repression taking :)

Stupid expensive CB products! I feel so cheated - especially since I wasted my first morning urine on it!

Hate when the little guy is sick. We've been so lucky, I think this is only his third temperature but I feel extra guilty that he's starting nursery in 2 weeks and he'll no doubt be sick lots then. Very grateful for boobs.

There's nothing to be done about the OPKs but to get down to DTD this weekend and see how it goes

Thanks Gunpowder I think I'll get a kit tomorrow and get down to DTD whenever DS sleeping and DP being home coincide

Hi everyone. Hope you're all feeling good, whether indulging in witch's herbs or not. I let out an actual LOL when I read the mention of Are You There God, it's me Margaret. My friends hit puberty before me and I remember wishing so much to join them in being an adult. I also recall regretting that wish probably one month after finally getting it. There's just no playing some people.

Eagle that's so scary about that 39 temp.Whatdid you do? DS suddenly developed a fever last night at about 4am, shortly after his first ever vomit. Poor thing. Unfortunately for him (and me) the ol boobs are pretty dry. I must say, that happened VERY quickly. He was a trooper having milk from a cup so I could give ibuprofen after paracetamol had no effect after an hour. He was so upset and couldn't getback to sleep or even settle really so I ended up resorting to some dry nursing (ouch). Luckily it worked, so maybe he just needed the comfort.

Aw zoo, your poor DS being ill. And poor you with the dry nursing, I'd say that's a very uncomfortable feeling. Hope that he's feeling much better today.

We just gave paracetamol and opened up his babygro so that DH could fan him a bit. DH is a nurse so he's very calm in these situations which is good. Poor DS was just lying in the bed whimpering. The paracetamol kicked in v quickly tho and he spent most of Thursday night on the boob. We usually only co-sleep for the last few hours of the night but we kept him in the bed with us all night on Thurs. he's still super snotty today but the temp has gone thankfully.