Starting Period When Nursing

Updated on March 04, 2009
S.F. asks from Ashland, OH
15 answers

Hi Girls,
I gave birth to twins via c-section about 9.5 months ago. I have nursed them pretty regularly all along, gradually cutting back as they get older. About two months ago, I cut back to only twice a day, and the past week or so to only once a day. I am a little concerned because I STILL haven't started my period. Is this normal?? I know with my other kids, I started my period as soon as I started cutting back on the frequency, way before this. I had my tubes tied, but I was starting to freak out...I even took a pregnancy test the other day...it was negative...thank goodness! LOL! Just wondering if anyone else had an experience like this???

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for sharing your stories and advice. I didn't have to wonder for too long, as I started my period today! Ugh...now I remember how much I hate it and wish I was back to wondering!! LOL!! Thanks again, Girls!!

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A.M.

answers from Cincinnati on

Sounds normal. Each pregancy I have had was different as well. So I would not worry. Don't forget you are breastfeeding twins so this is going to be different than if you were breastfeeding an individual child. My older two I had a period the entire time I was breastfeeding, this last one it was 6 months before I started so like I said each one is different.

If you are really concerned I would call you dr. and see what they say.

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P.A.

answers from Dayton on

Wow! That is great that you are nursing especially with 5 children. I go to LaLeche and know there are many mothers who don't get their periods back until they are totally done nursing. I always got mine back at 10 weeks no matter what! I have a 7yr old boy, 5 yr old boy, 2 yr old girl and 1 yr old boy. I found it interesting that we are somewhat in the same age range. Good luck - I know somewhat how busy you must be!

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C.P.

answers from Cincinnati on

I have three children. With the first two I got my period about the time they were 14-15 months old. Now my 18 month old is still nursing (I go until 2 or later) and I have not yet even showed signs of a return period.
Your body has done a lot of work and is keeping some back, remember it takes to have a period also. I wouldn't worry : )
C.
Oh and my friend that had twins and nursed them didn't get her P back until they were 2.

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K.W.

answers from Youngstown on

My period came back at different times with both of my kids. I exclusively nursed until 6 months and with my daughter it came back at 5 months and with my son it was back at 8 months. I was upset because I had heard that it could take a lot longer. I nursed both until they were 14 months and they quit on me. Just a thought and I am not claiming to know anything. But if you are nursing twins, you are nursing twice as much as with one baby. So even though you cut back your body is still producing a larger amount of milk to satisfy two babies. It may not think you have cut back yet. It is normal for it to take a while for your period to come back. I just was not one of the fortunate ones. Good luck with your brood.

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K.W.

answers from Indianapolis on

I agree...this is normal! And, I would just add that it might take a while for your periods to getinto a normal cycle again. With my second one, they not only started after I quit breastfeeding, but it took a few months to get it regulated. So, just enjoy not having to buy those products for a while! LOL

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M.A.

answers from Cincinnati on

It's absolutely normal! I stopped nursing my son over a month ago and still haven't started my cycles. I think it just takes time. Congratulations on your new additions!

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C.N.

answers from Cleveland on

I just started my period again after 13 months. My son was born last January and I am still nursing him 2-3 times a day. I to thought maybe I was pregnant again and took a pregnancy test, but about a month later I started getting my period again. Guess every child is different!

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C.C.

answers from Indianapolis on

I didn't start my period again until i was completely done nursing, and i had been cutting back for several months as well.

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S.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

I'm not sure why you cut back so drastically this early, but every woman is different and the fact that you are still producing milk for 2 instead of one may have something to do with it. Also, a lack of sleep with so many kids running around may be enough stress to keep your period from coming! lol...if you want to make sure you aren't cycling, try charting with a book like "Tanking Charge of Your Fertility".

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T.D.

answers from Columbus on

Hello,

I had the same issue that you are having. My daughter is 11 months now, but I did not get my first period until she was 9 months old. I had stopped breastfeeding when she was 2.5 months so I to thought I was pregnant b/c it took so long for my period to come. It sometimes takes a little longer for your period to start after breast feeding.

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K.E.

answers from Columbus on

I just stopped nursing my 10 month old and exactly two weeks later I got my period... and a nasty cold! It was the exact same thing with my first... two weeks, period and cold! I weaned him slowly, cutting down to morning and night, then just morning, then none at all. When all my milk dried up and I wasn't sore anymore, like clockwork I got my period. So I wouldn't worry. It sounds perfectly normal to me.

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M.O.

answers from Toledo on

Don't worry! I breastfed my twins until their first birthday and like you had been cutting back and in the end was down to one feeding per day. I didn't get my first period until 3 weeks after I had quit nursing. My big scare was that my second period didn't come until day 36!!! Whew! I hadn't been that happy for my period to come since before I was married! :-)

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K.M.

answers from Columbus on

I think you are still well within normal range. I didn't get my period until 4 weeks after I stopped nursiing my son (13 months old) and 7 weeks after I stopped nursing my daughter (14 months old). I was expecting that as I dropped down to a feeding or two a day it would come back, but it didn't. I did keep a few pregnancy tests handy during that slightly unnerving time : )

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K.Y.

answers from Canton on

not normal talk to a dr asap

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H.D.

answers from Indianapolis on

TOTALLY!!!

I never got my period back until month 14-15 so 9.5 sounds early, ha ha.
Good for you for nursing twins, btw, keep it up as long as possible as the longer you nurse the more brain-boosting they get and the more protection from cancer, asthma, allergies, obesity, the list goes on and on THEY get AND the longer you nurse the more protection from breast cancer you get. Even if it's only once a day, hold onto it as long as possible (and def hold on until cold/flu/gi bug season is over!!!), the health effects are so great and milk from a cow doesn't give them any protection (or you) so great to keep going.

I hope this helps! Actually there is a term 'natural child spacing' that discusses how around the world moms who nurse their children like other mammals (for as long as they need it, not just on moms time-table) will naturally have babies 2 or more years apart, naturally.

From www.kellymom.com (awesome site!)
"How can I maximize my natural period of infertility?
Timing for the return to fertility varies greatly from woman to woman and depends upon baby's nursing pattern and how sensitive mom's body is to the hormones involved in lactation.

Breastfeeding frequency and total amount of time spent breastfeeding per 24 hours are the strongest factors leading to the return of fertility: a mother is more likely to see the return of fertility if baby's nursing frequency and/or duration is reduced, particularly if the change is abrupt.
In some populations, research has shown that night nursing slows the return to fertility.
One study showed that mothers who were separated from their infants (but expressed milk to provide 100% breastmilk for baby) had a higher pregnancy risk (5.2%) during the first 6 months (Valdes 2000).
The introduction of solid food can also be a factor in the return of fertility. Once baby starts solids (if mom's cycles have not returned), the natural period of infertility may be prolonged by breastfeeding before offering solids, starting solids gradually, and not restricting nursing.
You can achieve higher effectiveness by practicing ecological breastfeeding:

keeping baby close
breastfeeding on cue (day and night)
using breastfeeding to comfort your baby
breastfeeding in a lying-down position for naps and at night
using no bottles or pacifiers
If you practice ecological breastfeeding:

Chance of pregnancy is practically zero during the first three months, less than 2% between 3 and 6 months, and about 6% after 6 months (assuming mom's menstrual periods have not yet returned).
The average time for the return of menstrual periods is 14.6 months.
Moms whose cycles return early tend to be infertile for the first few cycles. Moms whose cycles return later are more likely to ovulate before their first period.
Source: Natural Child Spacing and Breastfeeding by Jen O'Quinn "

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