Breastfeeding and periods

[AJ91]

I'm currently 19 weeks postpartum and just started my first period I'm EBF and read that people haven't got their period until at least 6/7 months pp is it normal that mine have started again so soon??

That is quite early but does happen! Mine came back at 9 months and I was gutted 😂

Yes I've had mine around 8 weeks both times round

@Hatscats I was looking forward to having a while till they restarted🤣 my son feeds constantly too so I'm confused as to why they may have started so soon!!

Yep, well within normal range.

With my first o was EBF and my periods came back at 6 weeks. 4 weeks to the day my pp bleeding stopped.

With my second I was EBF and they came back at 10 weeks.

Perfectly back to clockwork 29-32 days from then on.

No impact on breastfeeding, though I did notice my eldest would be a bit fussy on the breast on day 1 on the period.

@AcceptYourself oh really? Did it cause any issues on your breastfeeding journey? I'd be heartbroken if I couldn't continue feeding him as I'm really enjoying my experience with it it's so special❤️

I EBF. first one came back 3 months PP and then properly from 6months pp. I was so gutted. I was hoping I'd get a longer break.

@Twizbe oh wow I'd only been able to find post where they started a lot later! I bled for about 6 weeks after having my son then no period until today! I'm glad to hear it's not impacted on breastfeeding as it's such a rewarding thing to be able to do for our babies I'd be so upset if I couldn't continue until we're ready to stop

@abbs1 I've been really enjoying not having to worry about if I'd come on while out or buying pads🤣 back to reality now haha

I was so gutted they came back so fast. I also clung on to weight while breastfeeding too.

Wouldn't change having done it though.

Yeah mine came back at around 4 months pp. It definitely coincided with my LO being more fussy at the breast as apparently there is a change in taste to the breast milk (don't quote me on that). It passes though and I still BF'd till almost 14 months. I was just gutted as I was expecting a good few months more of the freedom of no periods!

@Twizbe see everyone told me I'd lose weight breastfeeding but I'm really struggling to lose what I gained during pregnancy! It's not even a lot but I thought I'd be back to myself by now but can't seem to shift it I want to diet but don't want to affect my supply it's a catch 22

Mine came back at 6 weeks with both my children who were both exclusively breastfed. The second wouldn’t even take a dummy.

I dieted and breastfed fine, again with both. I gave myself an extra 500 cals a day. I would say if you’re particularly hungry go with it as if they’re having a growth spurt etc you will need it.

@Housenoob my little one is constantly on the boob but if he starts fussing I'll know why! Thankyou☺️
This period does feel different to what they were like before I got pregnant it's very heavy and bright red/pink is this normal?

It was the last 6-7lbs I seemed to cling on to.

I did slimming world with both of them and you can do that while breastfeeding. It was the only one you could.

Tbh though part of my issue was my love of cake and biscuits with my coffee....

Yes, lots of women find their periods heavier post children. Mine were horrific ... like pools of blood horrific.

@Morningcoffeeview mine refused a dummy too I'm glad as I didn't want him to have one but it would be easier if he could self sooth if I couldn't feed him right away.. I'm not even eating a lot it just seems to be clinging on

@Twizbe oh really? I took it for granted before I had light periods that only lasted 3 days I didn't know they changed so much after having a baby!

Maybe you’re not eating enough. I walked and walked and walked too so if you’re not already try getting active.

I have heard some people say that BFing makes you cling onto weight as some sort of response so you have the reserves to support milk production. I have no idea if that’s evidence based and it wasn’t my experience but maybe do a Google and see if that might explain things for you?

@Morningcoffeeview I do 2 big walks a day with the dog and walk everywhere I need to go with the baby too! I used to go to the gym a lot had to give up towards the end of pregnancy due to complications and now I don't get chance to go I think that's why I'm struggling to motivate myself to shift this baby weight now

I’m sure you’re heading in the right direction. Don’t be hard on yourself. Your body has done lots of amazing things and is still sustaining your baby.

I got pregnant before my periods came back after DS1. Sadly I had a MMC but based on dating scans I would have ovulated when DS was about 7months old.
I was EBF although DS went through the night by 9 weeks and I'm sure that I read that this was linked to periods restarting more quickly

So was I! You may notice baby finds the taste of your milk different as apparently its more salty on your period. My little one almost refused if but she was fine after a few feeds. I saw you post about weight loss. Even with my periods I've carried on losing all the way up to 12 months pp so don't be discouraged. Bf it takes a lot longer than bottle feeding. My first was bottle, 2nd breast and it's stayed off more from bf.