Breastfeeding & Menstrual Cycle

Hi, C.. Mine came back after 11 months (and for me, it was a glorious, feminine product-free 11 months!), at which point in time I was still breastfeeding. 4 weeks for a breastfeeding mom is actually pretty rare. Not unheard of, but rare. An excellent resource for general concerns about breastfeeding, including the impact it has on your reporductive cycles, is La Leche League. Since, however, you've stopped already, the likelihood of your cycle returning to "normal" is pretty high. It seems, from those I've talked to, it takes a couple of cycles for your body to regulate, but then it does. It's been just over a month since you've stopped breastfeeding, and though others' advice doesn't always help to quell a worried mind, I imagine you can trust that your body will do what it needs to in its own time. All the best in your baby-making! (I know this probably isn't much of a comfort, but your body is honestly probably just now fully recovering from childbirth the first time around--the AMA recommends two years, which isn't practical or desirable for a lot of people, but it might provide an indicator...).

Hi C.,
You need to get a basil theromometer. They have kits @ CVS or Walgreens. Take your temperature everyday and record the number. Your temp stays the same until you ovulate. It will go up and stay up untill you are done. If it does not go up you are not ovulating. This type of plan I learned was/is called natural family planning and I learned it from my mom. They teach it in the catholic church but I am sure you can find info on line. I know that they started selling this type of program. It really helps you pin point the best timing for getting pregnant. Good luck.