Anyone TTC whilst breastfeeding?

[Emeraldbridge]

Is anyone out there TTC whilst BF? We’re currently trying for our second child. My son is 9 months old but my periods haven’t returned yet so I don’t think I’m even fertile yet 😀. Any tips/advice from those that have conceived whilst BF?

How often do you feed? My periods returned at 9 months. I think this was because I returned to work so was going for longer stretches between feeds. (Sadly I didn't get such a long gap at night!)

We didn't ttc until DD was 2 and only having 1 feed a day, but we're lucky enough to conceive first month. Good luck!

Also I read something about temporarily increasing your calorie intake so your body believes it can support another pregnancy. Can't remember details and how accurate it is, but there are worse thing to do than eat more food!

Thank you! Little one has really increased the amount of solid food he eats in the last couple of weeks so I’m not feeding him as frequently and never at night any more. Hopefully my period will return soon (can’t believe I’m saying that!) so I know where I am with my cycle. We’re not desperate, it just took us two years with DS so thought we’d start trying now. Thanks for the tip about increasing calorie intake, I’ll do a bit of research in to that, sounds good!

Hi! My hubby and I are keen to try for baby no. 2, but I'm still breastfeeding my 15-month old and my periods haven't come back yet. 😳 I'm feeling a bit bothered about the fact that I have no idea what my cycle's doing/not doing, to be honest... Am interested to hear what others advise too. X

Hello Starfish! I understand your concern about not knowing what’s going on with your cycle! We’ve just decided to enjoy ourselves for now, it’s actually been fun not needing to use protection but also not having to perfectly time sex around ovulation. From what I’ve read, there’s no ‘normal’ time for periods to return. My SIL’s returned after only two months of EBF (she wasn’t happy). My best friend didn’t even have a period and conceived when her daughter was three months old! Good luck on your TTC journey 🙂

Hi Emerald! Yes, I've heard some very varied experiences from chums so I'm not worried, just keen to know what's going on and hope I'm ovulating! Fingers crossed for you, too. Do update the thread as to how things go and I'd love to hear any experiences from second, third+ time mamas who conceived whilst breastfeeding... 😊 x

We’re definitely in the same boat Starfish, just want to know what’s happening!! It’s weirdly reassuring to know I’m not the only one going through this though. I’ll keep you updated, would be interested to hear how you get on as well x

I meant to say Starfish, are you using OPKs at all? I feel like my body has be gearing up to ovulate (like the month I conceived my first) for about three months now so I have been POAS like a mad woman 🤪

I'm TTC number 2 while bf my 21 month old. I had a miscarriage over new year and my body still hasn't quite regulated yet.

I didn't get my first period until my daughter was about 18 months old. I used OPKs from when she was about 8 months old for about 6 months. I kept getting positives, but it was just my body gearing up to ovulate, but never actually ovulating. I don't use them now as I felt awful thinking I was ovulating when I wasn't.

I'm not in the same boat now, but I was. I got pregnant while breastfeeding my 14 month old. He I'm now in the third trimester (and still breastfeeding!) I got pregnant almost immediately. Good luck!

Sorry to hear about your miscarriage Bambamber, I’ve been there and it’s really crap. Thanks for letting us know about your experiences, especially with OPKs - I’ve decided to stop using them at least until I get my first period.
Thanks also to Liquorice for sharing your experience - do you mind telling me when your period returned? It’s great that you’re still able to breastfeed whilst pregnant! Will you be tandem feeding do you think?

I agree, Emerald - it feels supportive to know there are others having similar experiences. I'm not using OPKs at the moment. I had about four days of cramping last month and my skin has been awful - this coincides with my little one dropping some feeds, so I think my hormones must be doing something!

Bamba, I'm so sorry to hear about your miscarriage. Hope that you're doing OK.

Liquorice, that's great to hear! Hope that you're feeling well! x