Realistically, I'll have to stop b/feeding, won't I

[dorisbonkers]

I don't like being caught like this.

I am still feeding my 20 month old daughter on demand (apart from when I work three days a week and she's with DH). She feeds frequently at night (the problem) and I've tried Jay Gordon with little success, so I've put it off for a bit.

But I've still not had a period and would like to envisage conceiving some time in the next 6 months.

But realistically I'll have to stop the feeding, the night feeding specifically, won't I. And although I could do without the night feeding, it's working for us as a couple who share the care. She loves it, and I feel less guilty working doing it. Every time I fight it life doesn't feel so good.

I'm just so frustrated they haven't returned yet.

I am 38 and have had Ashermans so need to know if I have had a recurrence after my section so I can go about going back for

My periods came back once he was down to just bedtime feeding and once in the night.... You could try cutting down a bit more rather than just stopping.....?

Thanks. It's just cutting down seems to trigger an urge to compensate in the day so I feel it's two steps back, one forward.

sigh

Just thought they'd have come back before now. Is there anything I could take to help?

I see there is a thread for long term b/feeders. I'll trawl thru that too.

I would have thought that any herbal remedies that are considered useful for your cycle 'normally' might help.... e.g. Agnus Castus, Starflower.

The other thing I found was that while I was still BFing I had periods but didn't get pregnant... I think my hormones were washing up and down but not actually getting to the level where an egg was released... In the end I got pregnant 7 or 8 months after they came back but had an ectopic. The ectopic and the subsequent hospital stay put paid to my BFing totally at 19 months.

One thought is if you're still BFing during the day but not when you're at work your body is constantly 're-lactating'. Could you make it consitent during the week? e.g. no day BFing all week? Might help if you're in a consistent BFing habit....?

Doris - Come and join us on the TTC while breastfeeding thread. There are a lot of us in the same boat. It's worth reading back through when you get the time as there's quite a lot of info on there.

My periods have come back and I recently started charting again. I felt that the BFing was suppressing my hormones and not giving me the high post-ovulation temps I needed. We've already night weaned - most of the time - but I've noticed that cutting out the feeds during the day has definitely caused my temperatures to look healthier. I'm still not pregnant, but it's a start!

I wasn't keen on cutting down all because, like your dd my ds LOVES his milk, but at 20 months I found that he was able to understand when I told him that we were only going to have milk at bedtime and in the mornings now, and he's accepted it really well. Having some of his favourite snacks to hand really helped the process too.

Thanks coconutfeet - I will.

I had effectively 'day weaned' a month back but went back on it as after trying nightweaning she seemed a bit more fretful so instead of feeling I was fighting her all the time, I'd give her comfort to get her through it. Maybe give myself a week or two and cut back again.

My periods came back at 22 months despite no weaning at all, in fact I think dd still fed about every 2 hours, 4 if I was lucky!
Have been very regular since then (she's now 3.4 and still feeds at night!)