I breastfed for a little over a year and just within the past few weeks have weaned him onto cows milk. At the end of mixing the cows milk with breast milk i was only pumping 2xs a day. I haven't pumped since last Thursday night. Two weeks ago i had really bad cramps and thought i was getting my period. Well the cramps only lasted a few days and i still haven't gotten my period. I know I should be happy that I still haven't' gotten it, but I was wondering if this was normal? I know everyone is different but how long did it take some of you ladies to get your period after breastfeeding. I would like to get my period so i can start my new birth control.
Thank you all for your wonderful responses!! I did call the doctor and can start my birth control at anytime. I just have to wait and enjoy these days without my period.
You should be getting it back any time now. I got mine a month or so after I stopped breastfeeding. And I did it for a year too.
If I remember right it took me about 2 months after breastfeeding to get my period. Those cramps you had were probably you ovulating. I have ovulation cramps worse than menstral since I have had kids.
Like you said, everyone is different. I can count on 1 hand how many times I had my period since my 1st child was born 5 1/2 yrs ago. My period is very inconsistent. After I was done nursing my 2nd child, it took 2 months and then lasted less than 3 days and the next month, I was pregnant again. I am not trying to make any of you jealous, but this is just how it was for me. I know that if I go back on the pill, I will probably have monthly cycles again.
I nursed for a year, too, and after stopping it took about 4 weeks to get my period. The one cycle I have had was longer than before I gave birth. I 'm still trying to figure it all out but I wouldn't expect it for a few more weeks.
I am breastfeeding now and my doctor gave me a birth control pill that is for women who are breastfeeding. I actually started my birth control about 3 weeks after my daughter was born. The pill is formulated differently for women who are breastfeeding so you should have been able to take birth control by now. You can ovulated will breastfeeding without getting your period so this is a safer way. I was told it can take a couple of months after you are done breastfeeding to get your period though.
I actually started my period while I was still breastfeeding! I had terrible cramping and I was sure that it wasn't period related, a couple weeks later I was ready to call the doctor, then I got my period. Everyone is different and I'm sure it will start in a week or so but if you have had unprotected sex I would take a pregnancy test.
Have you taken a pregnancy test lately?
I started the process of stopping milk production when my son turned one. At the end of that month I got my period. I never got another one because I was pregnant with my daughter. You said you are waiting for your period so you can start your new birth control... maybe it's too late for it now?
Hi M.
I do not know when you can expect your period to start, but I remember that I had cramping after I quit breastfeeding also unsure if maybe that is part of drying up. As I did not get my Period until a couple of weeks after the cramping stopped.
Becky
I weaned my son at 11 months and about a month later I got my first PP period and have been regular since. I've heard there's a wide range, some get it while still BFing and some not for many months after weaning. As long as you're sure you're not pregnant I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. You'll get it back eventually, enjoy your time off from Aunt Flo!
You don't need to have a period to start hormonal birth control--talk to your healthcare provider about other ways to handle this. In most instances, you can start the BC at any time, and then use a back-up contraceptive for a certain amount of time until you are considered "safe".
I nursed both of my kids for 9 months and it took me another 2 months both times to get my period. I was starting to get worried the first time too...but it came. I wouldn't worry too much.
I did the same and just got mine a little over a month after I had totally stopped. New for me since with the last two as I was weening it was starting. Just be happy it isn't here yet, it's an awful reminder of how crappy it really is when you haven't had one for so long!!
Are you sure you aren't pregnant? If you are sure, i would talk with your doctor at your annual.
I'm not completely sure on this, but I don't think you start your cycles again until you are done breastfeeding. Usually it takes awhile for it to get going again. There are meds you can take to start your cycle, though. I would talk to your OB-Gyn. Good luck!
If you havent pumped or anything since last Thursday, I think it could still take a week or so. I know for me it was at least two weeks or more after I completely stopped pumping before my period returned.
I nursed for 18 months and didn't get my period until my dd turned 2. :) If you are concerned talked to your doctor.
