I thought periods come back after breastfeeding has stopped?

[goforit99]

Hi all,

6 weeks postpartum , I had an emergency c-section and for the last week I've been getting light bleeding that feels crampy, also my stomach feels tender and sometimes painful to the touch, just like it did in the few weeks after the surgery!
Is this normal or is it my periods returning? I am expressing milk for my premature baby who is currently in NICU so for obvious reasons I can't breastfeed but I was under the impression that all periods stop and start again after you are done with breastfeeding! Old wives tale?
X

Unfortunately that's only true for some. Mine came back within six weeks for both of my children, both of whom I exclusively breastfed.

*to add:
I am planning on breastfeeding when she is out but obviously too small at the moment to start , Will this affect anything?

@SayNoToCarrots
Thank you, did it affect your breast milk or breastfeeding at all? X

Your period starting won't affect your ability to breastfeed.

But it's also possible it's not your period, so might be worth mentioning it to your health visitor.

Nope, carried on til at least 10 months for both. It was annoying though

@AliMonkey thank you

@SayNoToCarrots
Ahh ok, not sure why I thought periods only come back after breastfeeding has finished! Thanks x

It was a reasonable assumption as for many that is the case - mine didn’t come back while I was exclusively bf, but they did come back at about 10 months fairly soon after went to mixed feeding (when I went back to work).

From what you've described I'd be worried about infection, I think you should get a doctor to check your tummy over.

@AliMonkey for sure!
Perhaps it's because I'm expressing rather than breastfeeding! GP mentioned that it could stop again once I'm able to exclusively breast feed.

@Delbelleber yes! I mentioned to GP and have been prescribed antibiotics for the pain around my stomach.
Thanks x

Bleeding can be part of infection also. Hope you feel better with the antibiotics