Does breastfeeding a 2yo affect chances of pregnancy?

[PirateDays]

Hi everyone,

I have been ttc number 2 for most of this year and have had no luck so far, despite using OPKs.

I was just wondering if anyone knew if breastfeeding my nearly-3 year old could be playing a part? I have tried looking it up but most articles which reference breastfeeding sometimes impacting conception are about young babies where people are feeding far more frequently - my little one only has a feed in the morning and at bedtime now, although she does actually still feed a little in the night when she wakes.

My periods returned ages ago, and I am getting positive OPKs.

Just don't know whether I need to try stopping feeding altogether? Which actually feels more stressful than not getting pregnant 😅 but do I need to push through and do it? I am 36 so want to crack on with number 2 really.

Just wondering if anyone else found they only got pregnant once they stopped breastfeeding entirely?

Heya, I'm also breastfeeding a 2 year old (26 months), but we've recently cut down to twice a day (pre-nap and pre-bed) and I've stopped feeding overnight but mainly as she has started finally sleeping a lot better overnight by herself!

I conceived on the second month of trying, but sadly had a missed miscarriage, which took almost 3 months to resolve ending with surgery. I'm now on the first month of trying after the MMC and have a faint positive pregnancy test again at 10dpo so am keeping my fingers crossed!

I did a lot of reading during the MMC and it does seem that feeding older babies doesn't seem to affect conception as long as you're ovulating

It’s hard to say, because I think it depends on the individual. I had to stop breastfeeding my first at 21 months as my periods hadn’t returned. I got pregnant while still breastfeeding my second at 26 months, but stopped two weeks ago as it was getting really painful (I’m only 11 weeks pregnant). I’m amazed at how much more energy I have now I’m not breastfeeding - it might coincide with getting closer to second trimester, but I’m not so sure - breastfeeding does use up a lot of your body’s resources, so it could well be having an impact.

However - you’re still in a fairly normal range for how quickly to fall pregnant. I think you’ve got two choices - stop breastfeeding and see if it makes a difference, or go for a fertility MOT (assuming you’ve been ttc 6 months) and then make a choice based on the results

I got pregnant very quickly while breastfeeding my 12 month old. And he was breastfeeding all day and all night! I think if you are ovulating then it should affect conception? But I might be wrong as not looked into the science!

Thanks for all your replies.

@PBandJellySandwich Sorry for your loss, and fingers crossed for your new pregnancy 😊

The only thing that has brough it to mind is a friend mentioning it when I told her how long we'd been trying...which I know isn't excessively long at all but I just feel a little conscious of not even having a sniff of anything in a good few months of trying.

I know every time is different, but last time I fell pregnant twice within 7 months of stopping the pill, and this time the pill isn't even a factor as I haven't been on it for well over 18 months. The only variables are the breastfeeding, and my age (which I know could be a factor too).

I think if you are ovulating then it should affect conception This is what I thought, and still hope tbh as it would be far easier for me to keep feeding and it will take a while if I need to stop, but now I'm thinking maybe I do need to try and give up just to see if it helps.