Breastfeeding TTC Conceive Plus Ovulation support

[LGF]

My LO is 11 months old and we've decided to start trying for our 2nd baby. I've not had a period since having my LO, he's breastfed and has a lot of milk. He drinks throughout the night probably about 4 feeds and then about 3 in the day (I pump twice a day when I'm at work 5 days a week). I have no idea if I am ovulating and not sure how I'd be able to find out. I have seen conceive plus ovulation support tablets... are these safe to take while breastfeeding?
I work with children with challenging behaviour so I'd ideally like to have an idea when I ovulate so I can try and not be in vulnerable situations. We had a miscarriage before have my LO so that's also playing in my mind.
Does anybody have any suggestions how I'd know if I was ovulating, if the tablets are safe when breastfeeding and what I can do to start ovulating again?

Hi @LGF. I saw your post yesterday but didn’t have time to respond until now.

im in a similar position. I don’t know about the tablets, but in terms of ovulation, given you’ve not had a period I would say you’re not ovulating. Surely if you were, you would get a period? You could get some of the ovulation sticks to see if you get an LH surge.

I forgot to add, I’m also BF and haven’t had a period - so am unlikely ovulating either x

I've read that you can ovulate without having a period. It's the unknowing for me, I find it really hard not knowing if I am or not.... I'm a bit of a control freak 🤣 hoping my LO will accept cows milk in the day when he's one so my periods come back. Are you actively trying too? How old your LO?

Breastfeeding delays ovulation. When you scale it down then you'll get a predictable cycle again.

Thats a lot of breast feeds for an 11 month old, and assuming they are on solid probably doing it for comfort more than anything. Good luck

I know, he's a milk monster! He definitely does it for comfort and he eats a lot too but somehow he's still small for his age. I have tried to reduce his milk feeds but he's just not having any of it!

@LGF I definitely agree with PP that breastfeeding delays cycles returning. My LO has just started taking a bottle so while we’re not actively trying yet, I want to try and get my cycles to return. I still want to feed my LO at night but hoping he will wean off of that soon!

how are you feeling about TTC again?

I'm in a similar position. No period as of yet (DS is 13 months) but going to start TTC in the new year. Still breastfeeding a lot but trying to gradually cut down.
Sorry to hear about your MC. We ended up having our DS via IVF after a long time TTC so not that hopeful it's going to be quick or even happen at all. Infertility was unexplained though so still a chance

I just came on to start a thread about breastfeeding and TTC so I was glad to have found this thread! Similarly to @Babyenroute I have a 13 month old. Period hasn't returned. We're no longer preventing pregnancy but equally I'm not testing for ovulation. So it seems very unlikely I'll get pregnant currently.

I don't want to wean so I suppose I'm resigned to waiting until my periods return of their own accord and not make changes to frequency of feeds to jolt the hormones into action. I am getting on a bit though so don't want to wait too long... So tricky!

I think that's what I will need to do is just wait until my period returns. I am trying to cut down on feeds but he isn't having any of it... feeds so much throughout the night but happy to take a bottle in the day while I'm working. Hoping they'll return for both of us soon!!

Thank you. It was tough as you worry you won't be able to have a LO. Feel so lucky and thankful we did. Good luck with TTC I've heard a lot of people manage too after IVF! Merry Christmas 🤶

He's a big boy, you could always supplement with cow's milk or formula?

Even if you're still breastfeeding the reduced the demand will provoke ovulation.

Hi @LGF - my DC is it 14 months and my period didn't return until around DC's first birthday. It was then 7 weeks until my next period and I ovulated very late on, then a very short luteal phase. Everything I've read says this is normal. Google Erma Pickett's blog posts on this.

However I think what may have helped bring my period back was that around DC's 1st birthday I tried not to feed between circa 11pm - 3am. My DH would rock DC instead to settle them. I fed DC a lot before and after those times.

That's a normal amount for an 11 month old to feed. Don't worry. My 14 month old still feeds around that amount including A LOT during the night (although I still try to avoid feeding for that 4 hour block in the night if possible but sometimes I have to give in!!!).

@Outliers I am giving him cows milk in the day but isn't really having much of it. When I go back to work I won't be expressing now in the hope that helps.
@pistachiopastry that sounds like a good plan. He is currently going through a slepe regression so he's feeding a lot at night but normally he feeds around 7, then 10 then 1 or 2 and 5ish. If I could cut out the 1 / 2 feed it might help 🤞