Daughter is now 20 months still no sign of period

[coco111]

My daughter is going to be 2 at the beginning of November and my periods still haven’t returned. I am still breastfeeding her even though we have cut down a lot. I know some people says it’s normal but this feels like such a long time. My moods recently are so up and down and I feel all over the place. Has anybody else experienced this and have advice?

How old are you?

I’m 35

Breastfeeding can stop periods

I know it can but I’ve ready they mostly come back by 18 months. It seems like I’ve not had one in so so long and where I’ve cut down breastfeeding I thought they would of came back.

Are you definitely not pregnant?

Have you lost a lot of weight?

you could ask the Gp to check your bloods.

I found hypothyroidism kicked in after baby number 2, it affected periods, milk and moods. Worth a blood test perhaps.

No if anything I can’t shift any baby weight!

just wanted to see if anybody else who was breastfeeding still hadn’t had a period at nearly 2 years

Have you taken a pregnancy test??

1. take pregnancy test
2. get thyroid checked by GP

Some people literally doesn't come back until they completely stop breastfeeding, others (mine included) came back even if feeding every 2 hours even at night.

Have a blood test for thyroid function and testosterone levels (possible PCOS)

Waiting for someone to say perimenopause as so many on mumsnet suggest this for women’s health from 35.

I would request bloods and ask them to check your CA125 levels too. I had a similar issue and my CA levels were 590 (anything over 35 is considered high and prioritised for investigation) and I found out I had Endometriosis.

I wouldn’t worry about it when breastfeeding is an obvious cause.

Does your toddler still feed a lot overnight? If you cofeed and your baby still isn't night weaned, that is probably why you aren't menstruating. A gap of over four hours in the early hours of the morning is often what causes your ovulation to kick back in. If your baby is night weaned then I'd see the doctor to get thyroid and hormones checked (assuming you are certain you aren't pregnant)

I would say there's nothing to worry about. My periods never returned until breastfeeding was stopped. Over two years with DS 1.

I stupidly had the doctor give me something to bring them back. I think it was the pill. I needn't have bothered. Breastfeeding with periods is no fun.

With DS2 I was wiser. They naturally came back when I stopped BF.

That's to say unless you wish to conceive again, in which case you'll want your periods back of course.

Even a teeny tiny amount of breastfeeding kept mine away, so it's likely just that. I'd gone down to just expressing once a day and as soon as I stopped that, they came back.

Hey op. Its really quite common for them to take a while to return. Im a breastfeeding specialist and my journey was around 19 months. Any form of touching the nipple and breast area will signal your breasts to continue to make milk. This could be just a nudge or washing in the shower etc. I used to struggle even putting on a bra! My hormones were mega and took ages to settle. Majority of periods return around 6 months when weaning or around the 1 year mark when parents are returning to work although ive seen many mums who still dont have periods at 2 years. Dont worry too much as long as your fit and well otherwise.

A lot of really scary messages here! Just to let you know- I was 25 with my first, period took 16 months to come back but I had to wean my eldest as was trying for number 2. With number 2, my periods did return while I was still breastfeeding but it was just over 2 years (I was 30). Due in the next couple of days with baby 3 (I’m 36 now) so fertility obviously returned after such a long time without periods! Hope you feel better soon 😊

Feeling very envious of all those who never had a period whilst bf! I ebf all 4 of my dc and bf until about 18 months and never missed one!
Dd2 had an ectopic pregnancy last May 2024 at 8 weeks and her periods never came back. She started investigations as they were keen to have another dc but she has now managed to conceive without intervention (or a period) and is 20 weeks.

Beeast fed all of mine and never skipped a period, feel a bit hard done by to be honest !

My dd was 18 months, came back 5 weeks after stopping breastfeeding

My period didn't come back until my DS was just over 2. I was still breastfeeding then but not very much.

I think my last DC was around 2 and 1/2 before I had a period. It was a light one too. DC was breastfed and I assume that was why.

When did you stop breast feeding? Have you completely stopped? I also know someone who had a baby in her late 30s and ended up in perimenopause so maybe see a doctor if you stopped breastfeeding before baby’s first birthday.