Post Breastfeeding

Updated on April 24, 2008
M.K. asks from Franklin, MA
17 answers

I stopped exclusively breastfeeding about 3 months ago. My son is almost 7 months old and I haven't gotten my period yet. Excuse me if I'm getting too personal but I'm wondering if this is normal or if I should see my doctor.

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A.B.

answers from Burlington on

Hi M., Every mom's body is different. I would wait it out a while and see what happens. I have three children and my period has come back differently every time.

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A.S.

answers from Hartford on

Not getting your period is normal. I stopped breastfeeding my first child at 8 months and I did not get my period until he was about 14 months old. Your body needs time to adjust. If you are not using protection with your husband/significant other I would take a pregnancy test just to be sure though. You can still get pregnant if you are not using protection even when you are breastfeeding. I hope this helps.

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A.M.

answers from Hartford on

I think that it is normal, but it can't hurt to give your OBGYN a call.

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R.F.

answers from Boston on

Hi M.,

I had a similar experience. I stopped exclusively breastfeeding my son at about four months old. I gradually fed him more solids until I was only breastfeeding about two to three times per day. I didn't get my period until he was 11 months old! I was starting to get worried myself, but it turned out my body was just more reluctant to stop nursing than I was. I guess you can't believe everything you read after all!
Good luck!

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L.P.

answers from Boston on

I assume that although not *exclusively* breastfeeding you are still nursing? If so then it's really very normal to continue not to ovulate yet. Even when babies start solids in the first year they still get their primarly nutrician from the breast of bottle, so nursing could still be delaying ovulation for you.

If not then it may just be a matter of waiting a bit longer. I transitioned my eldest onto hypoallergenic formula and weaned myself @ 4mos PP due to her multiple food issues, but my period didn't come back for another 3 or 4 mos after totally weaning. With my second, who nursed until 18 mos, I didn't get my period again until he was 13mos old. And with this one? Who knows, she's almost 9 mos and still nursing a lot so I'm hoping for several more months if possible!!

I wouldn't worry at all--bodies have their own clocks.

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B.G.

answers from Barnstable on

Hello M.,

I dont think you should worry yet, I have heard of some women taking a while to get Aunt Flo back, but it probably wont hurt to put a call into your OB to see. Everyones body is different, but seeing how you stopped BF a few months ago, it is ironic that you havent gotten your period yet.

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K.B.

answers from Hartford on

Hi there.I have a 10 month old boy that I have been exclusively been breast feeding. I haven't gotten my period yet which my doctor says is normal. Then again, I was always irregular prior to this. Turns out, I am actually pregnant again! I go this week for an ultrasound to determine exactly how far along I am b/c w/out the period it is hard to tell.
Check with doctor too if you feel better

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J.H.

answers from Providence on

Hi There!
I stopped breastfeeding my daughter at 8 months old and it took 3 months after that to get my period. I ,of course, was all stressed out about it! But every womens body just works differently and was told the same by my doctor. So unless you think you may be pregnant than it shouldn't be anything to worry about!

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C.F.

answers from Boston on

I'd say not to worry. I didn't get my period until 6 months after baby started solids (still breastfeeding a few times a day) and I'm told that many women won't ovulate at all until after beastfeeding stops entirely.

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C.F.

answers from Pittsfield on

Hi M.,
I'm a mom of 6, and I've not gotten my period with any of them until they were almost completely weaned from nursing. I think 10 months is the earliest. Every woman is different, but if you are still nursing at all, I would not be concerned about this. It's totally normal. If you're not breastfeeding at all anymore, there's still not much reason for concern after only three months, but it is possible you could be pregnant, so I'd rule that out by doing a home test before seeing a doctor. Sometimes it takes a few months for your body to get back in sync though, so I wouldn't worry.

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S.A.

answers from Rochester on

I'm not a doctor, so I don't want to say definitively that it's nothing, but I'll share my experience.

I got pregnant with my first son in March of 2005. I still haven't had a period and have since had a 2nd son 4 months ago. Still nursing him, so no period still... But I had friends that got their periods back while they were still nursing frequently, when their kids were 6 or 8 months old, and I still hadn't had my period back when my son was only nursing first thing am and last thing pm. Then a few months later I got pregnant again. My midwife has said its nothing to worry about, everyone's body adjusts back to normal on different time scales.

But I would still consult your doctor/midwife to make sure that YOUR situation is the same. But I don't think I would worry/panic.

Take care!

P.S. - Hey, it's nice not having to deal with the cycle, right? Enjoy it while you can!

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B.R.

answers from Boston on

It took about a year for my cycle to become regular after the last time I nursed my daughter. Some months I'd spot or have my cycle twice in one month. Also if you had a c-section it can contribute to your cycle being irregular once you've stopped nursing completly.

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L.C.

answers from Springfield on

M.,
I didn't get my period back till I stopped nursing altogether, so I don't think you need to worry. But, you can always call the drs office and ask the nurse, she'll tell you if you need to come in or not. Good luck!

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M.B.

answers from New London on

Hi M.! Here is my experience with this...I stopped exclusively breastfeeding my daughter at 6 months and had not gotten a period still when she was 9 months. So I was constantly on the look out for it and getting worried...Turned out that I was already pregnant with my son! We were shocked. They are 16 months apart and my son is now almost a year old. He is still breastfeeding, though not exclusively, and I still haven't gotten my period back (but now have an IUD so am surely not pregnant again!). I think it can take your body a long time to readjust after having a baby, and as long as you are sure you are not pregnant again, I wouldn't worry yet. Though it can't hurt to call your OBGYN...

Good luck! M.

D.B.

answers from Boston on

First of all, you're not getting to personal - that's what this site is for! Every woman's body is different and 3 months is not unusual at all. Six months is not unheard of. Just be sure you are using contraception if you don't want to become pregnant. You could start ovulating at any time.

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H.F.

answers from Barnstable on

I finally got mine at 11 months. Don't worry, it is normal.

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A.M.

answers from Hartford on

It is definately normal. Don't worry at all.

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