Should I stop breastfeeding to conceive?

[marchair]

Anyone able to give their experience on breastfeeding and conceiving?
I have a 14 month old baby whom regularly breastfeeds through the night (4-5times) and occasionally during the day (1-3 times). My periods came back 6 months after the birth. They are fairly regular now - between 25 and 31 days on average.
I really want to start TTC no. 2 now but everyone is saying I need to give up breastfeeding.. is this true?
The trouble is I think weaning is going to be super super tough and I don't think baby is ready yet - they are super into the boob and scream for ages if I refuse.
But at the same time I'm not getting any younger. I turn 38 soon so time is against me. Any thoughts or advice?

I conceived in the second month of trying for my second. I breastfed my toddler until the end of my second trimester when he weaned himself! Feeding during the first trimester with sore boobs was a challenge but not awful.

If you’re ovulating regularly then there’s no need. I weaned to conceive because I don’t get af until I do. But then I BF’d my oldest through the pregnancy and even tandem fed for a while.

I’ve conceived twice while breastfeeding- as long as periods are regular should be fine. Just beware your ovulation may be later though and luteal phase may be shorter
I ovulated on day 20 of a 30 day cycle and I used to be day 12

No, no need as your cycle has already restarted. I had to as I don't have periods at all when breastfeeding so stopped at 13 months and got pregnant when they returned two months later.

Kellymom has a great article on BFing and fertility here.

I'd be tempted to do some gentle night weaning now though. I don't know about you but I think as super tired when I was PG and getting up to do night feds wasn't my favourite thing to contemplate

I fed my toddler all through pregnancy and currently feeding a 2 month old and a 3 year old.
If you've already got your period back then it's your choice. You're likely to see a big drop in supply or dry up during pregnancy so your toddler may decide to stop breastfeeding during pregnancy

i Have 2 kids born exactly a year apart (same month) despite ebf 🤦‍♀️ but my periods returned straight away so wasn't one of the lucky ones!

I had to completely stop bf at 18 months to conceive and have a successful pregnancy.

Whilst I was still bf, I conceived three times but had what people call 'chemical pregnancies' and started bleeding a few days after a positive test. I believe this was due to a short luteal phase and low progesterone.

I stopped bf completely and supplemented with progesterone prescribed by the early pregnancy unit for the next successful conception and now have a 10 month old baby :-)

Some people just can't conceive and carry while bf.

I conceived my second while breastfeeding my first and he self-weaned at about 5 months pregnant. We're currently trying for number 3 while I'm still breastfeeding the second - only cycle 1 but I'm sure it's a no this month as I'm ovulating incredibly late and having a very short luteal phase. If it doesn't happen within a couple of months I'll probably stop breastfeeding and see if that helps, as we're down to only 1 or 2 a day now so I'm hoping it won't be too difficult!

No you don't need to but you should consider night weaning. I read somewhere that in order to maintain a pregnancy it helps to have a solid 6hrs or so without breastfeeding, its to do with having low progesterone.

I had a previous chemical then decided to night wean. Im now 13 weeks pregnant and still breastfeeding.

I would nightwean for a number of reasons but primarily because waking 5 times a night at 13 months means they can’t possibly be getting enough deep sleep and that in itself is an issue. Daytime feeds can go on as long as you’re both happy and a few feeds over a day shouldn’t necessarily stop you conceiving.

Breastfeeding is 98% effective contraception for only the first 6 months (if exclusively breastfeeding with regular night feeds and no periods). After that, you’re definitely more likely to get pregnant, especially if your periods have returned and are regular. No need to stop breastfeeding :)

Hi all

thank you so much for the responses, you have put my mind at ease. Although I know of course every woman and every body is different, I will start TTC whilst still breastfeeding and if I feel like it's not going anywhere I will try some gentle weaning.