Could breastfeeding still be affecting my fertility while trying for baby two?

[ag1908]

Hi everyone, i’m 22 months pp, still breastfeeding throughout the day and night a fair amount. My periods returned 6 months ago and were ttc baby number 2. We’re on cycle 4 of trying with no luck. I am very aware this isn’t a long time of trying. I’ve been pregnant 3 times prior, 2 losses and one successful pregnancy and we’ve luckily fallen pregnant quite quickly each time.

I am just wondering if breastfeeding could be the reason why I haven’t conceived yet? Or just affecting it in some way. My luteal phase is currently about 11 days, I’m not sure if this is too short or not? Just looking to see if others have been in the same position and their experiences!

Have you used ovulation tests to check when you’re ovulating. Breastfeeding can delay ovulation in the cycle and the hormones that make milk suppress the hormones needed to release an egg

yes I’ve been tracking my ovulation, and I have been ovulating regularly!

Your luteal phase is long enough which is what breastfeeding tends to affect, and if you are LH testing then you know you're almost certainly ovulating. I couldn't get pregnant while breastfeeding, but periods just didn't return at all.

Yes. Breastfeeding can affect fertility. I don’t understand why you are breastfeeding an almost 2yr old day and night. They should be getting most of their fluids and solids from regular meals. I would cut back on the breastfeeding to comfort and bedtime cuddles.

I am sorry to read of your earlier losses, and really hate to mention that this info indicates you are at higher risk of secondary infertility. If you are under 35, see a doctor after a year of trying, if you’re 35 or over see a doctor after 6 months of trying.

Breastfeeding has benefits from age 2-7 according to WHO, both in terms of immunity, life long health benefits and emotional bonding - it’s not just about nutrients (although it contains lots of them
too!)

I don't think they're quibbling the breastfeeding, just the frequency. "Throughout the day and night" is quite a lot for an almost two year old.

Cutting down to one or two feeds a day may help with conceiving.

Good luck with ttc number 2, op! If you've only had your period back for 6 months, then things may just still be regulating.

Yes, I agree breastfeeding at age 2 is entirely normal but by age 2 breastfeeding is no longer the bulk of a toddlers intake of fluids and food. It is not normal to be almost exclusively breast fed at 2yrs old. In fact, a child would be severely malnourished.

It can interfere with TTC due to the crazy things we call hormones - unpredictable little buggers! Prolactin is produced when BF albeit it should decrease once weened but hormones … ^^ see above

How are you getting on, OP? I’m a very similar boat. Don’t like the idea of giving up bf but aware I want to conceive soon so think it may be time.

I guess its worth you thinking about whether you plan to keep breastfeeding through a pregnancy? If you have morning sickness , which can be all day sickness, or feel really exhausted in the early weeks, it could be quite hard (and just because you don't get those effects in one pregnancy, there's no guarantee the next will be the same..). Would you stop breastfeeding the toddler when the baby came, or try to feed both (can that work, when the milk is naturally tailored to the age of the child, and they are at v different stages..?). If you stopped at some point during the pregnancy because it became difficult/uncomfortable, could your toddler associate that with the new baby and resent them?

I guess I'm just suggesting that you think about how the future will look if you manage to co caive while breastfeeding, and that maybe, its time to tail it off, if another baby is what you want.