Period is back but I'm breastfeeding?

[SandyBabyToes]

I'm exclusively, on demand breastfeeding and DS is only 7.5 weeks old!

How did this happen? I know you can get your AF back a little earlier than expected, even when breastfeeding, but only 7.5 weeks? Seems off. All the websites are pointing at it being unusual and the forums from Google searches are full of shocked women to get their periods back 7 MONTHS+ after birth.

I also sling wear and co-sleep, which is also suppose to delay the return of AF even further

I EBFd DS and mine came back at 10 weeks. Total normal, just not that common .

Hugh Argh! So annoying, isn't it?

I thought Mother Nature stopped periods and ovulation so the new lactating Mother could break from birthing and pregnancy, that's what I was told in one of those classes anyway

Load of old shit, obviously

When did your postnatal bleeding stop? Is it possible it's a continuation of your postbirth bleeding? If there's only been a short gap between the two it's usually considered further lochia rather than a "true" period.

If it's been several weeks I'm afraid you're just one of the unlucky ones. Sorry.

Queen My postnatal bleeding stopped around week 3/4. Could it be a continuation of that?

Mine didn’t come back for about 6 months with my first and about 6 weeks with my second! Wounded, lol

Yup, happened to me too ... twice!
Both times my hair suddenly started falling out (I guess I was ovulating and my body had realised I was no longer pregnant) and 2 weeks later along came my period. I reckon it was around 12 weeks after birth both times. Some of us are just made that way.

First time round mine came back at 4 months, second time around I think was somewhere between 2-3 months, both were ebf. I think it varies from person to person.

I honestly never heard this. Mine came back 30 days after birth. And carried on the whole time I was breast feeding. 6 months off would have been lovely

I came on after 6 weeks and then didn’t have another period for 10 months so don’t give up hope!

I think if it's more than 2 or so weeks after lochia finishes, it's considered a "true" period, but I can't remember where I read that. If it's been 4 weeksish since your PP bleeding concluded I reckon that makes it a period. Bad luck :(

One of my friends on LJ back in the day used to rave about how nobody ever tells mums about the six week bleed. I thought it was odd because I've never had it or heard of anyone I know having it but maybe it's what's happening to you?

My period stopped for 18 months, it was lovely!

One of my friends on LJ back in the day used to rave about how nobody ever tells mums about the six week bleed.

I admit to not having done a survey, but I don't know of anyone who's been BF and had a six week bleed specifically, although I know of a few poor souls who got their periods back straightaway despite EBF. I had nothing until weaning really kicked in at 9.5 months.

Well this is a bit shite Me and DH were usuing EBF thing as contraceptive since it is suppose to work if you follow the rules.

Oh well, time to sort out proper contraception then

SIL is 5 months post birth and still no periods, EBF

Mine came back straight away too.
Apparently it's because we're all so well-nourished that our bodies can multitask when it come to producing babies.

Bf is not contraception - I know of AT LEAST 4 people conceived while their mother was bf and thought they were covered. This inc my cousins 2nd conceived 4 weeks pp cousin completely shocked - she not only thought bf effective contraception but for some reason that you didn't ovulate again until 1 year pp - no idea where she got that from!

I always bleed for around 6 weeks after birth even with ebf. With my first I had no periods until he was 6 months then they came back as normal. Second baby I expected the same again, started bleeding heavy about a week after the lochia stopped. Dr thought it might be retained placenta but nope it turned out to be a period Same thing happened again with my third. I was gutted!

Yes sadly this happened to me as well, period returned 8 weeks after giving birth despite EBF.

I was absolutely gutted. Thought it meant I mustn't be doing breastfeeding right or something.

Apparently it's a good sign though and indicates that your body is reasonable healthy well nourished in my case

Yes, get the contraception sorted unless you would like a small age gap. I didn't bother and DD is only 11 months old and I'm already halfway through my pregnancy for DC2

I was still EBF when my periods reappeared at 3mths PP. I was livid hahaha

Similar happened to me - EBF both times, got my period after 5 months with the first and about 8 weeks with the second.
Apparently it means you’re very fertile (well according to my mum!) so watch out if you’re not planning another baby!

Happened to me. Six weeks of postpartum bleed and then a month off and my period started. So about 10 weeks after birth. I remember my mum telling me at six months I might find my period returns. I was hahah it came back ages ago.

Me and DH were usuing EBF thing as contraceptive since it is suppose to work if you follow the rules.
The only rule about having sex when EBF is to use protection unless you want to risk having an unplanned pregnancy. There is no indication of when you will ovulate so it is not reliable. I have heard of women being pregnant by the time their baby is 6 weeks old so it is possible.

FWIW I think you have to be feeding at least every 4 hours on a continuous basis round the clock to keep the hormone levels regular enough to trick the body into thinking you are still pregnant so your periods don't return. I didn't have my first period back until DC was 14 months when EBF.

Same happened to me with my first baby, EBF on demand but periods came back after 8 weeks.

It might not be the same with every baby you have though. I did manage to get 6 months of no periods with my second baby, they only came back when he started weaning.

I got mine back 3 months after my DS was born even though I EBF him it was quite the shock as most women don't get them back for quite a while so I just assumed I wouldn't too, I was well pissed off!