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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

Original poster

Has anyone gotten pregnant whilst breastfeeding?

47 replies

parkrunsandpinot · 05/04/2022 20:51

We are just starting to think about TTC #2.

Still feeding #1 1-3 times during the day and a little overnight.

Periods all over the place and a very short luteal phase. Worried it's going to take a while.

Any success stories or advice out there for me?

Trying hard not to become obsessed but we aren't even trying yet (will start later this month) and it's all I can think about.

OP posts:
2ndTimeRound90 · 05/04/2022 20:56

Yes, I conceived baby #2 and continued to bf for another few months into my pregnancy. I was doing maybe 2-3 night feeds at that stage, occasionally more. I used ovulation sticks and we struck lucky on the first cycle

Secretstory · 05/04/2022 20:56

Yes I did. My periods came back when my DD was 6 months old, I had 2 periods and then conceived DS. So there is a 17 month age gap. I contained breastfeeding until DD was 12 months (with work I had to give up).
We wanted a small age gap and are really happy with it. But didn't put too much pressure on ourselves so when it happened it happened rather than try to work out if I was ovulating etc

Original poster
parkrunsandpinot · 05/04/2022 21:09

That's amazing @2ndTimeRound90 - were your cycles regular?

I have had 4 periods but they are a bit all over the place!

OP posts:
Original poster
parkrunsandpinot · 05/04/2022 21:09

@Secretstory ahh lovely it all worked out, fingers crossed for us too :)

OP posts:
AHungryCaterpillar · 05/04/2022 21:13

Yes I have 2 born exactly a year and 2 days apart because of this 😏 my periods returned at 5 weeks despite ebf never used formula at all, pregnant 3 months after giving birth

stillavid · 05/04/2022 21:14

Yes - hello surprise baby number three!

UpToMyElbowsInDiapers · 05/04/2022 21:16

I was breastfeeding twice a day and my periods were not regular when I conceived DC3.

I think if you’re in no rush to conceive but would like to start trying, there’s no reason to stop breastfeeding. If after a few months you haven’t had any luck, you could cut back or stop the feeds - or your DC may have weaned themselves by then anyway.

KateTheEighth · 05/04/2022 21:16

Yes

Ds1 feeding every 3 hours

Age gap = 1 year

Scarby9 · 05/04/2022 21:18

My cousin.
Breastfeeding newborn DD1.
DD2 born 11 months later.

Emelene · 05/04/2022 21:18

Yes I did. I conceived when my DD was around 15 months and we were breastfeeding. Multiple times a day and at night if I remember correctly. I did have regular periods for about 2/3 cycles before that. I breastfed throughout my pregnancy and then also tandem fed my oldest and the new baby. Stopped when my daughter was 2 years 4 months. Baby is now almost 18 months old and feeding is still growing strong!
All the best OP. Smile

Original poster
parkrunsandpinot · 05/04/2022 21:18

@UpToMyElbowsInDiapers yep you're right! There is no major rush other than feeling really broody and wanting a small ish gap. Just anxious it's going to take ages. We fell immediately with our first (very lucky). Will see what happens though, would love to continue feeding my son!

OP posts:
Mamascoven · 05/04/2022 21:19

Yes, 3 times....
Have 2 DS's 23 months apart and 2 DD's 27 months apart

Original poster
parkrunsandpinot · 05/04/2022 21:20

Anyone had a seemingly short luteal phase and still managed to conceive?

Eg - I ovulated a week ago and AF arrived this morning (we didn't try last month though!) so that is a very short cycle

OP posts:
User65412 · 05/04/2022 21:22

Yes - I am pregnant now and conceived after 1 period when my daughter was 9 months old. I never thought my periods would return the amount she feeds let alone actually get pregnant! I do think I conceived late in my cycle compared to last time so might be something to think about.

Rrrob · 05/04/2022 21:22

Yes. Currently 20 weeks.

Floydthebarber · 05/04/2022 21:27

Yes, while feeding dd1 who was 16 months at the time quite frequently. We'd been having unprotected sex since she was about 3 months but withdrawing and trying to time it for when I wouldn't be fertile so I don't think it was breastfeeding which made it take that long to conceive.

lakeswimmer · 05/04/2022 21:29

Yes - 18 month gap between DC2 and DC3.

By the time DC2 was 11 months old, I was still BF, my periods hadn't returned and I was a bit concerned as we wanted to try for another baby. Very slowly the penny dropped - I was already four months pregnant. I had no idea of the conception date and had to go for a scan to get an estimate. The same thing happened to a friend of mine.

Original poster
parkrunsandpinot · 05/04/2022 21:30

All these positive stories are giving me hope and making me feel much more relaxed

Thank you!

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Margo34 · 05/04/2022 21:30

Yes, when DC1 was 14m and still feeding 4-5 times a day, 1-3 at night. Sadly ended in miscarriage at 9w though.

bumbledeedum · 05/04/2022 21:32

Yes currently have DS2 latched who was a one shot attempt while BF DS1. He was just shy of 2 though so a bit different but DS1 was a massive boob monster

Snugglemuffins4me · 05/04/2022 21:35

Yes I got my period back at 17 months on my 1st child and got pregnant after my 3rd period they never regulated currently pregnant with baby 3 who I conceived after my 1st period when baby 2 was 20 months so will be 2.5 years between each one. . I had my period this time on the 12th August and conceived 19th September so a very long cycle I was tracking ovulation though with easy@home ovulation sticks .

MrsAvocet · 05/04/2022 21:35

Yes. I got pregnant with my third (unplanned)whilst breastfeeding my second and I'd only had one very half hearted period that I wasn't absolutely sure was one. I breastfed throughout that pregnancy and then tandem fed afterwards. I know quite a lot of other women with similar experiences - it's not as uncommon as you'd think.

PegasusReturns · 05/04/2022 21:37

Yup twice.

DC2 conceived when DC1 was 4mths and exclusively BF. Periods not back.

DC5 conceived when DC4 was 18mths and being BF evening and first thing in morning.

Tootle10 · 05/04/2022 21:47

My periods didn't return until DS1 was nearly 2 and then I had a short luteal phase / irregular cycles for 6 months until I night weaned (and then conceived the next cycle, we'd been trying for a year).

I night weaned DS2 when he was 19 months, my period came the month after and I conceived the month after that.

So for me, I've had to night wean in order to fall pregnant whilst breastfeeding. I did continue breastfeeding throughout my pregnancies as well.

Just to add I was lucky enough to conceive DS1 first month, as well as a previous pregnancy that ended in miscarriage, so I do think it was the breastfeeding that was acting as a contraceptive.

miltonj · 05/04/2022 21:48

Me! Breast feed my toddler round the clock and got pregnant with number two on first cycle trying despite having irregular periods! Good luck x

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