Breastfeeding, but Where's My Period?

That is one of the good and bad things about breast feeding! I would always get paranoid what if I'm pregnant again?! But I never was thank goodness! I didn't start getting mine until my daughter was like 9 months old and it was really short and light even after she was weaned it took a couple of months to get a real peroid. So just depends on your body. Also your old Ob could have given you a pregnancy test to decide that I would have fired him too! If you are really paraniod go ahead and take a pregnancy test to give you peace of mind. You should go ahead and get a new obgyn for regular check up though and to get birth control also keep in mind that birth control can cause your milk to dry up if you take the pill you will have to make sure you talk to your doctor so they give you the right one for breast feeding. Good luck!

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I am still breastfeeding my 14 month old, and I did not get a period until after she turned a year old. Everyone is different. If you get on BC, you probably will get a period. But remember, just because you don't get a period doesn't mean that yuo can't get pregnant while breastfeeding. Don't worry too much and enjoy your little baby!

Like everyone said above it varies from person to person. After my son was born I had the Mirena for BC. IT WAS AWESOME!!! I BF him for 12 months and because of the Mirena I never had another period for 3 years until I took it out to get pregnant with our daughter. I must tell you though some women do have their period with the Mirena, but I would suggest getting it to anyone. You don't have to worry about missing a pill or forgetting to change the patch. Lord knows you have enough to think about and remember right now!!! Oh and I don't know your location but my OBGYN is wonderful. He actually LISTENS to his patients. Dr. Jorge Saldivar ###-###-#### he is located at Charlton Methodist in south Dallas. Good Luck. And THANK YOU to you and your family for the sacrifice you make for all of us!!!

I got my first period when my girls were 9 months, even though I breastfed until they were 15 months. I was sad too! I loved not having them - ha!

Each woman is different. I breastfeed exclusively and got my period at 4 months (bummer) as I was hoping to not get it for a year. As for the birth control, try some other means like condoms or diaphragm (they are easier to insert than you think and if put in early you won't know they are there). There is also foam and such. These things will not interfer with breastfeeding and you can get them at the drugstore. Good luck to you. The other S.

It totally varies from person to person, although a general rule from ladies I met through La Leche League (a great group for sharing info and getting the wisdom of very experienced mamas) is that it often returns a few months after night time feedings have ended. For both my boys, it was back at 18 mos. But, one friend consistently had hers return at 6 mos. So, the 2nd friend you mention is incorrect.

I personally found that condoms worked well (and don't require a doctors visit ;), as you really want to avoid adding any hormones to your system while breastfeeding and BC pills deplete your B vitamins and thus have an overall negative impact on your health and the health of your baby. And, they can also contribute to depression - again due to the vitamin depletion - B12 and B6 are vital for your brain and sense of wellbeing.

It is different for everyone. I exclusivley breastfed all 3 of my kiddos - and nursed my third until she was over 2 - I got my period back at 6 weeks with each of them - I was so hoping to be one of the lucky ones who doesn't get one at all while nursing, but no luck.

You CAN still get pregnant even if your cycles have not resumed so make sure to use some sort of birth control...

It does vary from person to person. I breastfed for 3 months and never got a period. 3 months later I finally had my first period and it lasted for about a week. I did take 2 pregancy tests though while I was waiting for it to come just to ease my mind. My doctor has told me that with some women it can take up to a year for them to get their period back. Every woman is different.

I didn't have a period for 6 months after my girl was born, and then wasn't careful and got pregnant immediatly after. So I would plan on birth control, as you can get pregnant even if you haven't had a period.

Hey S.,
I'm still bfing my 10 month old and I haven't had any sign of a period the entire time. I am on the mini-pill which is the one to take while you're bfing. It only has progesterone and as long as you're bfing or pumping three times a day it's as effective as the regular pill. (Just because you don't have a period, doesn't mean you can't get pregnant. Don't make that mistake!) If you get on the full strength pill, it'll dry up your milk. I've been on the mini-pill since six weeks postpartum. The generic form is called Camila.

Hope this helps.
H.

It is very normal not to have a cycle while breastfeeding and no need to worry about but you still can get pregnant. If you have a cycle fine and if you do not that is fine too. And your OB doctor was telling you correctly. Usually, you do not stop birth control until after your period starts so firing him is not going to fix your no period problem. Mirena(IUD) is a good birth control but if you ask 25 women you wi a ll get 25 different answers about the negative and positive side of the mirena. Most women using the mirena their cycle completely stops so no monthly periods and that is ok too. Of course their is always condoms if you do want to use any other form of birth control. I encourage you to continue to breastfeed as long as possible and enjoy motherhood and do not worry about having cycle because no doctor going to tell you when your cycle is going to start if you are breastfeeding because they cannot predict it. Some days it may come and some days it may not. Just enjoy being cycle free and remember you still can get pregnant while breastfeeding without a cycle showing up monthly. Any questions feel free to write back. I am retired from Navy Medicine

With both of my kids, I breastfed for 14 months each and with both, never had a period until after I stopped breastfeeding. It was great! I have also read that is quite common not to have periods wile breastfeeding. (Enjoy the "time off")

Depending on how long you breastfeed, you may not have a period until you stop. I was so looking forward to that, but mine started about 5 or 6 months into breastfeeding. It's differeing for everyone, though.

You can still get on birth control today even. Not having your period from breastfeeding has nothing to do with whether or not you can take birth control. Some people start a month after having their baby (even while breastfeeding, and there's no way they've started their period by then).

Instead of worrying about a co-pay call a doctor and ask before actually going in. You don't have to pay for that, and you'll have your answer.

Everyone is different. I had 6 kids, breastfed everyone of them, but I had a period exactly 28 days from giving birth and every month after that.....and why I have six kids so close together! LOL! My friend didn't have her period until her daughter was 16 months, two months after she stopped breastfeeding. Everyone is different and perfectly normal.

As for birthcontrol if you hadn't had a period usually they do a pregnancy test, wait two weeks then do another one and if you are still not pregnant they will start you on BC. Your doctor apprently was an idiot.

I am still breastfeeding my 11 month old daughter and on BC pills and have not gotten my period. I am taking the progesterone only pill so it doesn't dry up my milk.

You probably won't have a period until you start breastfeeding. I had an IUD inserted, and was very happy with that.

You CAN get pg without starting a period -- you will ovulate, and can get pregnant then -- obviously no period, because you are pregnant by then.

Do have a wonderful reunion with you dh!!
A.

There isn't really a "clear" answer, we are all different, some people get it back in a few months, some don't until they stop BF. Mine didn't return until I had stopped BF completely. And between my 3rd and 4th kids I had one. BF for 13 months, one period, and pregnant again, then BF for another 13 months. I have to say it was great not having but one in about 3 years. Just remember though, that even if you aren't having them, you can still get pregnant. I would find a new doc asap to get back on the BC, if you don't want to get pregnant they may want to do a pregnancy test to make sure you aren't, but it shouldn't be a problem to get the BC.

It's quite normal to not have a period, or regular period while breastfeeding. I am one of the unlucky ones who is regular as clockwork even when I nurse, and I wish sometimes I weren't (about once a month...) Anyway, my OBGYN saw me during the time I was and sounded concerned that I was having them so regularly, but apparently it's not bad, just really abnormal.

There IS a BC you can take while BFing. It's called a mini pill. You wou'd probably have to do a preg. test before starting it though, just to make sure. It's a low dose of just one of the two hormones, but I can't remember which one.

In my case, I didn't have a period until I had practically stopped BF, so anywhere from 8 months after birth to 1 year. Some people start up again right away, my sil did on all but 1 of 4 pregnancies (she thought she died and went to heaven when she didn't have her period the last time.)
Just because you aren't having your period doesn't mean you can't still conceive - hello?? I had my second child when my first was only 20 months old, had one period. You can get a really low form of BC (mini pill) so that it won't affect your milk, don't get why your OB wouldn't do that for you - glad you fired him - I assume most would. Didn't check to see where you are located, but I have a great OB - Michelle Heintges. She works out of Medical City Dallas. There are 4 other ladies in practice with her and they are all great.
Good luck!
L.

I agree with Mary- it totally varies from person to person. I started my period when my first son (now 3 years old)was 9 months old. It was real wonky for a couple of months after I started, too. My second son is 11 weeks right now, so I guess time will tell on when my period will show this time around. Another lady I know started her period consistently at 6 weeks post partum while breastfeeding. My husband and I just use condoms for BC.