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

[eagle2010]

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.

Seeing as I filled up the old thread I thought I should start the new one!

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). I hope I've worked the links properly.

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

I was reading another thread about the soy somethings that can help you ovulate or make you ovulate earlier? Didn't get far in my reading but was thinking I should look at that incase breastfeeding is making me ovulate too late in my cycle so I end up with a short luteal phase.

It's so tempting isn't it to intervene isn't it. I know I should just let nature do its thing

Hide ~ how long would your l phase be if AF started on time? 12-14days is average according to Dr Google

I looked into the soy isoflavones or whatever they are called as I thought they might help me to ovulate. They are not recommended if you are breastfeeding which put me off a bit. I think they basically don't know exactly what the impact is but I think (and it's been a few months since I did my research so this might be wrong) they might come through in the milk... Not sure if that makes much difference but it was enough to put me off.

I know what you mean about TTC Pear. I am so BORED of thinking about it all the time. We eat eggs for breakfast several mornings a week and every time a break a bloody egg I am reminded because I am confronted with what my CM should be looking like!! Clearly going bonkers!!

Also, I decided to quit alcohol and sugar this year in an effort to be super healthy and have marvellous super powerful eggs. So far I have instead been driven to drink - just a couple of glasses of wine. Not ideal.

Pear it would be 12 days which isn't too bad but before I got pregnant it was 14. Also that is assuming I ovulated on the day I got the two dark lines cos if it was the day after than I'm down to 11 which is quite close to 10!

Newyear that is interesting about the soy getting in the milk I didn't know that and won't investigate further if that is the case!
That made me laugh about the eggs making you think of ewcm! I will probably do the same now tomorrow...
Am impressed with cutting out sugar and alcohol! I definitely am due a post Christmas detox... Not sure if I could cut out sugar though! That first cup of coffee with a sugar is the only way I can function in the mornings!

Yes I keep meaning to cut out alcohol and sugar says me sitting here with the leftover new year champagne If it doesn't happen for me this month I will deffo be on a health kick next!! Well, I've already told myself that this is my last drop of alcohol anyway!

Hide - that luteal phase sounds pretty good. You could always try cutting back on a feed if you haven't caught within the next couple of months - or if you find your LP is shorter than 11/12. Hopefully you won't need the soy!

I was pretty sure I would be OK at the whole no sugar, no alcohol and no coffee (while I am at it) but it turns out I am really crap at it. It's only been 3 days and I have failed every single day. Usually on all three. So, I have told myself that this week I am cutting down and when I am home (currently at MIL's house) I will go at things in earnest. It will be easier when I can cook my own food etc. I tell myself. I have also been replacing sugar with cheese... which I am not sure is much better.

Next week. Next week. Next week.

Perhaps I will also do some exercise too... oh look a flying pig

I'm starting to wonder whether I've got to cut down to 1 feed I really don't want to I would be so torn which one to choose as I love morning snuggles in bed and I love how he loves his milk at bedtime

Pear I know exactly what you mean! Morning feeds are good cos it means you get to stay in bed and snooze but evening milk is good because it gets them all sleepy and is useful if they are feeling poorly! Which one to drop is a difficult choice... Although dropping the evening feed would mean you could go out in the evening and not worry! (Not that I ever go anywhere...)

Recently I tried feeding him at 4pm when he woke up and then he excepted a beaker at 7pm when my mum put him to bed. That's probably what has messed up my cycles though!

I shouldn't be worried as my time isn't over for this month... yet. You still worry though! I have spotted a change in the (ahem) pant department tonight. Nothing major but more than normal so that's a good sign!

Ooh that sounds promising! DH found me looking at pictures of cm at different stages in the cycle and looked a little concerned. I found it very interesting. Especially what to expect after ovulation and how it changes getting closer to AF. I hated science at school so finding this all very informative!

Cd 16 and still negative. This is not a good sign I think I read somewhere that the latest you should be ovulating is cd 18. I also read last night that drinking can stop ovulation so I'm now wondering if Christmas drinking has had an effect

Pear still two days then don't give up hope just yet. I thought it didn't matter what day you ovulate but how many days from ovulation to AF so as long as you had 10+ days it was okay.

Oh no Pear! Although you are not out yet AND it is always possible that the OPKs can miss ovulation... Plus, any changes in the pant department mean that SOMETHING must be happening!!

It's depressing about alcohol isn't it! I read something similar (hence the new dry resolution) and also read that even moderate drinking in the week of conception (even BEFORE you conceive) can have an adverse impact on implantation and miscarriage.

Right, that's it. Tonight we will be home and I am absolutely not going to have more than 1 or 2 small glasses of wine in a week. My body needs all the help it can get to ovulate - plus I am depriving DD of something that she loves - I should be willing to make sacrifices too. So no sugar, alcohol or coffee. Once we are home alcohol and coffee will be fine. I just need to find something else to do in the evening that isn't collapsing in front of the TV with Ben & Jerry's!!

I also know what you mean about it being so hard to drop a feed. I just reached the end of my tether with no AF and more than 2 years since DD was born. Plus, she seemed to be feeding MORE not less. I actually prefer the snuggly loveliness of the evening feed, but she can manage without that one - DH can put her to bed if I am out and she is OK - but the first thing in the morning (and this morning it was 4am!!) is the one that can send her back to sleep for another hour and when she won't take no for an answer!

Hide - LOL at you looking at CM and your DH's response! I had to google it too, obvs. Agree it is VERY informative.

Right, better try to do some work - supposed to be working from home while MIL and DH have DD!

I think no alcohol and more early nights is the way forward. I'm with you NEW. Just need to pour away the last 1/4 bottle of champagne this afternoon before temptation gets me. I'm feeling so drained and it's showing. My skin is greasy and my mouth ulcer won't budge. Time to relax!

I think what I'm most annoyed about is that I did ovulate the previous month when I wanted to avoid an August baby Still, I can't control things but like you say we can work on being a bit more healthy! I've just swished salt water and now I'm going to take a nap. Almost tempted to look up these cm pictures you both talk of. I! Lol

Hello everyone!

I'm not currently ttc but planning to later this year (I expect you will all have had your bfps by then and be long gone ). Just wanted to ask you what it was like when you got your first period post partum? Did you know it was coming?

My baby is only 9 months old and still bf through the night, so I wasn't expecting anything this soon but I've had a few signs that something is happening. I had lots of ewcm (from reading recent posts on here I'm assuming cm discussion isn't tmi for you lot ) for several days shortly before new years, I've had a sudden outbreak of spots all over my face , and I'm getting a few mild cramps too. So feels like somethings going on with my hormones - does this sound like I might have ovulated?

Good luck to you all with ttc. Hope you get bfps soon!

Hello Trinpy,

Sounds like AF is on her way to me. I exclusively bfed until DS reached 1 and I didn't get AF return until he was 14 months. I got backache, cramps and then forgot what it could be..felt pretty silly when she turned up the next day Did you used to get breakouts before you ovulated or AF? I have breakouts before AF arrives but now seem to get both which is confusing. Think my hormones are just all over the place!

Hi Trinpy - that certainly sounds promising!! I can't really help you I'm afraid as my DD is now over age 2 and I STILL haven't had my AF... I bfed on demand up until last week when I decided to limit her to just one feed a day in an effort to get things moving. So far nothing but I live in hope! Mother nature works in mysterious ways, that's for sure!

Pear - yes to the early nights as well! My reflexologist told me that sleep is really important to the hormonal system and poor sleep can actually impact ovulation too.

Jeez - I am going to have a really boring few months!! The irony is - if I do actually get a BFP I will be off the booze and (if my previous pregnancy is anything to go by) will be so tired I will be crawling into bed at 8pm every night anyway!!

Ah thanks both of you for replying. I'm at 2+ years with no period, I didn't realise it could take that long. I do get breakouts before af normally though it could equally just be my hormones going crazy for no reason . Anyway I suppose I'll know for sure in a week or so! I was a little bit tempted to buy some opks but I had a fairly serious poas addiction when ttc ds so it's probably best I steer clear of them for the time being!

Don't worry Trinpy most women get AF back much sooner than me - even with lots of breastfeeding! Just everyone is different so everyone has different amounts their baby feeds and different amounts of hormones etc! A very small number of women need to wean completely before they get AF. It looks like I might be one of them .

Have a look at the links at the beginning of this thread - they are really interesting. I also recommend a book called Taking Charge of your Fertility by T. Welcher (spelling?).

And I totally get the POAS addiction! I think I am going to start OPK sticks this week now we have dropped down so much on the feeding.

If by March I still have nothing then it will be over 3 years since my last AF and I reckon I will wean completely...

Hopefully you won't need to!

Hi Trinpy! I got my AF back at about 9 months. I had some cramping and spotting the month before as if my body was gearing up (and spots too!) and then next month AF was back! I was lucky as my DS was still feeding day and night but going slightly longer between feeds and I think that triggered it but who knows! I also noticed that I was less dry down there before it started back as well! So sounds like yours is on it's way!

I have been feeling fluey yesterday and today and have googled to see if feeling fluey could be an early symptom of pregnancy!! Well you never know... Or I could just be ill. Hehe. Also DH thinks I am pregnant because the cats are acting strange. I think that has something to do with the full moon tonight...