Breastfeeding and Period

[Rose1999]

Please can you help me?

I'm 5 months pp, exclusively breastfeeding and my period has started today. Is this normal? I've read that periods shouldn't return whilst breastfeeding so now I'm really worrying 😕

Mine returned at 6 weeks pp, and I was exclusively breastfeeding, a lot!

Apparently it's common for them not to return while bf but it's not a rule and they can return anytime, nothing to worry about at all ❤️ Just rubbish that it's another thing to manage pp, I was looking forward to a while off as a perk of bf! xx

Normal, but unfortunate. Sorry!

Mine returned at 4 months. I was gutted.

You may find that the period pain increases when your baby is feeding.

Yes my period returned at 6 months despite EBF

I got my period back exactly 15 weeks after my first. I was very surprised as was breastfeeding exclusively around the clock and met all the criteria for using it as contraception. There are definitely some sources out there which imply that it is rare. Yet, anecdotally, I know of a few others who’ve had a similar experience.

Interestingly I was using Clearblue OPKs and didn’t get a smiley face until 8 months.

Another 6 weeker here, both times. Felt cheated 😆

I think I was 8 or 9 weeks postpartum (and breastfeeding) . Completely took me by surprise. I had no period pains for about 6 months though, which was nice!

I was 7 months but my next door neighbour was 4 weeks, she was raging! We were both exclusively breastfeeding

Thanks everyone. It's good to know that it's normal although it really is the lash thing I need, with my already tough nights 😞

I was very surprised as was breastfeeding exclusively around the clock and met all the criteria for using it as contraception.

What are the criteria?

Mine came back at 8m pp despite him feeding all night! And still at nearly 15 months he’s never gone a night without a feed. Mine aren’t very regular though, there’s one every month but cycles so far ranging from 25-38 days

Ahh sorry OP! Definitely normal but it does seem unfair!

I’m at the other extreme - still nothing at 13m, and would really like it to come back so that I can TTC (I know it’s not a reliable form of contraception). Feeding 2-3 time in 24h but these are bedtime and overnight, so guess I’ll have to night wean.

Its unusual but not rare, IYSWIM. Mine came back at 19 months/20 months, but I was stil feeding at that time. My twins were still on multiple night feeds at that time. My friend had her period back at 5 weeks first time round, but not till 14 months second time.

Mine came back at 8 months pp with my first and 5 months pp with my second while ebf

Must be exclusively breastfeeding directly from the breast and not supplementing with anything, even water or a dummy. Must not go more than 4 hours between feeds during the day and no more than 6 hours at night.

Even then it’s only reliable for the first 6 months postpartum and before you’ve had a period back.

https://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/st-michaels-hospital/what-we-do/midwifery-services/post-birth-contraception/lactational-amenorrhea-method-(lam)/

Mine came back after having each of my three babies at four months despite exclusively breastfeeding.

I fitted all the criteria in pitterpatter3's post above perfectly, but it didn't stop ovulation restarting. It's absolutely NOT a reliable form of contraception.

I got pregnant at 7 months postpartum with DC2, still breastfeeding but not exclusively. I was delighted though, I wanted a small age gap.

Many women whose periods don't come back when breastfeeding find they have to night wean to trigger ovulation if they want to conceive again.

Both times I got my period about 9 or 10 weeks pp. terrible! This second time however I've had two periods in a month then just three random days of bleeding but no full periods. Anyone experienced similar? In a way I wish it would just roll in fully then Id know what to expect 😒

They say 2% failure rate. And that’s from the NHS. But I wouldn’t want to trust it either.