Breastfeeding but wanting to TTC

[sangrias]

How do I start my TTC journey.

I have a 5month old and was exclusively BF until last week when I introduced her to a formula feed in the middle of the day.
I am now going 6hours (maximum) during the day without breastfeeding.

No period yet.

Not sure when my period / fertility should return or where I should go from here. Any advice appreciated.

We're just moving this thread over to our Conception topic for the OP.

Hi op, I was in a similar situation to you. Starting adding formula at 5 months; gradually added more formula until completely stopping bf at 6.5 months. It then took almost another 8 weeks from completely stopping for first period to arrive. I'm now on cycle day 30 of my first cycle and hoping for BFP soon.
On the other hand, some people get periods whilst EBF early on, you just don't know which you'll be.
I really didn't want to stop BF, but we decided we wanted a small age gap with our DC so we agreed to stop. It was quite emotional giving up at first but then DS started sleeping much better so I was quite pleased to be getting some sleep!
HTH

Hi Op,
I’m in a similar boat. LO is 6.5 months, was ebf until three weeks ago, and have very quickly dropped so now ff apart from first morning and last night feed (bottles in between) so I have 12 hour gaps minimum. Have been keeping to this for ten days so far and no sign of period. Really don’t want to drop the last two feeds so hoping to give it another four weeks, before weaning entirely.

From my reading - a quick reduction is more likely to “jumpstart” the system than a gradual change, and it’s the time spent suckling overall that is important (this was key for me as initially when I introduced bottles, other feeds just got longer!).

If bf-ing average return of period is 14 months pp but some people do get pregnant while feeding so you could be lucky!

Sorry if this isn’t helpful. I’m finding it hard. All of the info on bf and fertility includes those with toddlers and it’s mainly focused on not getting pregnant.

I’d love a small gap too, and am very conscious that my LO took a few years, with multiple losses. So am eager to try again soon.

Currently doing LH sticks but not sure I’d reccomend as mine haven’t gone above “v low/nonexistent” lines yet, which is fairly trusting. Never thought I’d be wishing for a period!!

On the plus side - my little one has also started sleeping a lot better! Which has helped the sex drive 😀

Saddlethehorse 🤞 for you x

I'm sort of opposite to you, BF DC3 and hoping my period stays away. From what I'v night feeds can have a big effect so if I was you I'd give bedtime milk as formula and any overnight feeds. This 12 hour overnight period seems a big factor in fertility returning.

@justtmee that's interesting, I hadn't heard about that- will now consider dropping the night feed. At the moment she's waking once or twice in the night for a feed.

Good luck to the two posters also ttc with babies.
It took over a year to fall pregnant with mine hoping it's not so long this time. I think we will only try for up to a year.