Do I have to stop BF if I want to conceive?

[ChocOrange05]

DS is 13mo and I am still BF him in the morning (and when he wants it if I am at home). I haven't had a period since I got pregnant. I don't want to get pregnant yet but I would like to (subject to convincing DH!) in the second half of next year.

So....

• Do I have to give up BF so I have a period?
• How long before I want to conceive do you think I should do this?

Thanks!

PS - Is this the best place for this post??

BF is not a contraceptive, so there's no reason why you should stop - unless you want to, as it sounds like you do?

Ps I only had one period between each child - I had 3 in 3 years!

No, I don't want to stop! I just thought that if I don't have periods and a cycle I can't conceive? Is that wrong?

tricky.... my periods came back when DD1 was 9 months old despite BF so after that conceiving wasn't a problem.

BF isn't a reliable contraceptive as your periods could restart at any time. However until that time, BF is obviously having a contraceptive effect.

Presumably your periods will come back before the 2nd half of next year so the issue will resolve itself I would have thought?

You haven't had a period only because there hasn't been a unfertilised egg to flush away - that doesn't mean there isn't one now - or next week - or the week after.

Maybe you won't menstruate until you stop bf? I think I was still feeding the last one in the early stages of pregnancy of the following baby. Its problably different for each woman. I'm no expert here!

I suppose it would be possible to get pregnant without a period in between.

Thanks guys

I have been thinking about this issue for the past few weeks but only decided to post this today, and bizarrely I just went to the toilet and there was AF!!!

I am very happy (despite its obvious annoyances) as hopefully I can continue BF-ing DS a bit longer!!

I had my first AF when DS was 12month old, then conceived two months later DD. Fed DS all through second pregnancy (two feeds only) and am now BFing two.... However, some women have AF but do not ovulate while breastfeeding extendetly, so if you don't fall pregant for a while you migh want to stop. There is good info on Kellymom.com (Bfing webpage).

Thanks glimmer - its not really an issue now but I am a planner so I was just wondering!

how weird! maybe subconsciously you knew something was happening and that's why you posted now. Good news anyway, and means problem solved! Hope the rest of your plans work out well