How long for periods to return?

[LucieB]

I am currently weaning my 5 month old from the breast to the bottle, partly because I have to return to work full time (although really don't want to - thats another story!!) and also because I would like to have no 3 close behind no 2. How long did it take you to resume your periods and conceive? Any useful tips etc welcome. Thanks in advance

Hi LucieB
I have no advice but am hoping others do as I have the same question....
My dd is currently 6.5mths and I'm not weaning, but am trying to conceive and have no idea if/when my period will return.
Sorry to hijack your thread a little....
Also - love Lucie with ie - nearly chose that for my dd!

First time after Bf for 10 months, my periods came back 4 months later. With DS, gave up BF at 6 months (coz he kept biting me) my periods came back 3 months later and were really erratic, sometimes 2 month cycle smtimes 36 days.

Now on jag so no periods

20 weeks with DD and 16 weeks with DS both bf until well past a year. Shame as I was looking forward to a longer time with no periods!!
Can't tell you about conceiving as there's a deliberate longer gap (4 years) between our two, and I have a Mirena fitted now so very little period to mention.... (Yeah!!!!)

Erm, they didn't and now I'm pregnant again - beware!!!!

Exclusively bf for 4 months, then started weaning. By about 7.5 months I had what I thought was a period but it was implantation bleeding followed by another 2 one day bleeds. I'm almost 3 months pregnant.

But delighted

If it helps at all, I'm the product of an unexpected pregnancy straight after my sister was born.

There is just about 11 months between us, so although I have never actually asked my mum about it I can imagine she didn't too many af's between us!

I had my first (very light) period about 5 weeks ago, when dd was just under 6 months. Am still bf.

Ds was nearly 9 months before I got my af. Stopped b/feeding at 6.5 months except for an evening feed every other day (i.e. when he wanted one) in order to go back to work. Started weaning at 4 months.
HTH

Thanks for all your responses. I am introducing formula at the same time as solids which seems a little complex right now but am sure it will all work out! Last time I went cold turkey - ie stopped bf one day and formula fed the next - agony for a few days and then it was all fine. Anyway thats getting away from the main crux ie conceiving whilst phasing out breast feeding and how long it takes. Would dearly love to be pg again as would like small age gaps between each of mine. Mummyintexas - you are more than welcome to join in on my thread - great to know someone else is in the same shoes as me so to speak!
Any more tips very welcome and thanks again for all your responses!

I went on the pill after ds1 so dont know. Bf ds2 until 8 mo period came back month after, bf ds3 until 11 mo period returned month later.

I B/fed DD exclusively 4.5 months then weaned. Switched to formula at 6 months [pretty much DD's decision], apart from a small morning b/feed which I still do. DD now 8 months and have had 3 Afs. My friend with a baby of similar age and also b/feeding got her first AF after 3 months, got pregnant 3months after that and had an early miscarriage - don't know whether the b'feeding had anything to do with it but her Dr advised her to stop breastfeeding if she gets pregnant again. She is 41 - maybe that affected the Dr's advice.

Am also TTC and am not sure whether I will stop b'feeding completely if I'm lucky enough to get pg in the next few months...?

like pagan I got pg while exclusively bf when ds was 7mths and no periods, HUGE SURPRISE. Unfortunately had mc at 11wks but gp said wasn't connected with bf or weaning.

I found this site interesting when I was wondering when AF would return.

LucieB - it seems a shame to stop breastfeeding just to ensure conceiving again. Unless breastfeeding is exclusive,and at least 2 hourly day and night, it is not a reliable contraceptive. I fell pregnant wwith DS no.3 while B/F 7 month old DS no.2.

I agree, it is a shame to be stopping b/f but am having to go back to work in a few months so would have had to wean dd from breast to formula anyway before too long. Would rather not be going back to work and part of the reason behind wanting to conceive no 3 so soon after no 2 is that I am very unhappy in my job so don't want to have to be back for too long before I am on leave again. Have really really enjoyed this maternity leave so far but can't afford to take a year off which of course would have been perfect for a long period of bf and trying to conceive. Never mind!
Any more tips greatfully received. Thanks for all your responses.

LucieB - have you thought about continuing breastfeeds when you are home and giving formula at work? You could continue morning and night feeds for as long as you want if you don't fancy expressing at work. You can combine B/F with work quite happily.

I guess I could try that, yes. But would also like to conceive pretty soon and I know that my chances are less if I am bf still. Its all so tricky - I have a meeting at work this week re my application for part-time but know they will say no. Need to kick start my fertility and start bd like mad!