How can I get periods to return without stopping breastfeeding?

[munchymoo]

DS2 is 6 months and EBF, just started weaning which is going well. DH and I would like to try for a third DC, ideally I wouldn’t want to start so soon but I’ve just turned 40 and having had difficulties conceiving DS1 and then 2 miscarriages in between DS1 and 2, I know time isn’t on my side.

I’ve not had my periods return yet, I know that doesn’t mean categorically I’m not ovulating but it’s unlikely. With DS1 they came back when I was doing 2-3 feeds a day but had stopped all night feeds at 13 months.

Obv baby isn’t ready yet to drop night feeds, he’s still feeding every 2-3 hours and some nights on the boob lots more for comfort.

I’m not massively keen to start formula as BF is going so well, but I’m not sure how else
to get my cycles back! Can anyone give me any tips? And would it be better to drop some day feeds or night feeds? Thank you! X

Hi op,

How are you feeling about trying for a third baby so soon after your second? Have you really stopped to think about how it will all work?

There is no guarantee you’ll have a girl this time, are you absolutely certain it is another child you want, and no just a try for a girl?

Will your dh be more involved in night time wakings? Managing essentially two babies over night and then three children all day is a massive challenge and strain on your physical and mental well-being.

Have you spoken to your GP about your previous struggles and adding a third baby to the mix? x

I wouldn't put a baby on formula now, you might not be able to find any.

Why don't you check if you are ovulating before stopping any feeds?

I understand the pressing urge of biology - we were TTC #2 but have now stopped for the foreseeable in the current situation. There's been no formula in the supermarket here for 4 weeks now, at 6 months my DS got through more than a box of formula per week. Our local maternity hospital has just issued a notice that only the woman will be allowed for any appointment or scan, no partners can come in except for the birth of baby.

I wouldn't wean my child from the breast when your only reason for doing so is to try for another baby. Breast milk is precious, artificial breast milk substitute (formula) is currently difficult to obtain. I couldn't ever deprive my child of the best in nutrition in the hope of conceiving.
It is possible that this virus will mutate and return annually leaving us open to having to repeat this isolation in future years. Do you really think being isolated with three little ones is desirable?

Depends on you. My NCT friends and I EBF and periods returned between 6-8 months. one fell pregnant at 8 mo PP without having had her period. The other two did later on around 10-14 months while BFing and only weaned during first trimester.

My sister in law fell pregnant when her eldest was five months old, even though she was breastfeeding. It's possible!

Why don't you buy a couple of ovulation tests to see if you're still ovulating? Good luck!

When I had my first baby who was EBF my periods returned when he was 4 months old and they quickly settled back into their normal cycle.

When DS was about 18 months old (still BF) we decided to start TTC number 2 and because I’d had regular periods for over 12 months we assumed it would be easy enough.

After 11 failed cycles though (all whilst still BF DS1) I spoke to my GP who advised I stop breast feeding.

She said that there are some hormones involved in breast feeding that in some women prevent implantation of fertilised eggs so pregnancy is impossible. She said that could be conceiving every month but the hormones would stop the fertilised egg from being able to implant into the endometrium was hence why I was never getting pregnant.

Whilst trying to conceive DS2 my first son was probably only feeding two times in 24 hours and I still wasn’t able to get pregnant.

Following my GP advice I force weaned DS1 from the breast (he was 2.5 years old at this point) and then I fell pregnant the next month.

I guess my point is that even if your periods do come back it’s not an automatic go-ahead that conceiving is feasible.

I do understand your concerns though regarding your age so it’s understandable why you would want to cut down on the breast feeding but as has been said, in light of what’s happening it may not be in either of yours best interests to start introducing formula.

It’s a difficult one but I hope you manage to find a way forward that works for you

I remember kellymom website had a theory about eating huge amounts of calories... I can’t remember why but have a google.

I've seen the huge amount of calories thing too- idea is you tell your body by means of e.g. cake that you live in a time when you could support a baby and a pregnancy in terms of calories...