When Did Your Period Start While Breastfeeding?

Hi C.,

My period started about one month after I went off the mini-pill. At that time I was still breastfeeding my 12 month old son about four times a day. Since then, my cycles have been really irregular (from 2 weeks to 7 weeks), but my OB tells me that that is common as long as I'm still nursing (we're now down to 3 sessions a day). Also, I don't want to be a downer, but my PMS has been WAY worse since my periods recommenced. If you have concerns, you might check with your OBGYN. Take care and best of luck.

Although my twins are only 9 months I'm only breastfeeding them 3 times a day also. I'm still on the mini-pill with no period but started getting the cramping about a month ago too. I started to worry about pregnancy like you and took a few tests, but all were negative. You're not alone! My cousin told me that she didn't start for almost 3 months after she got off the mini and stopped nursing?! Hope this helps.

Hi C.,
I nursed my daughter right up until her first birthday, but by then was down to one nursing right before bed. I didn't get my period until 1-2 weeks after I stopped nursing. I had also gone off the mini-pill at the same time. I have friends, too, that started theirs a few months after giving birth. One friend said her mini-pill was actually supposed to help her cycle be regulated again, so maybe they are different. My doc said not to worry about not having a period until a couple months after stopping nursing. Then if it still hadn't started up to go in and see her. I don't remember having any cramping, though. So if you're concerned about that, I would suggest seeing your doc.

~J.

With my first, I got my period 6 weeks after he was born - yuck! With my second, I didn't get my period until 14 months, almost two months after I quit breastfeeding. I was on the mini-pill with my 2nd, but not my first. I have another friend who at 18 months still hadn't gotten her period (she was breastfeeding like you are). My sister's didn't come until after she quit breastfeeding at 12-14 months with both her boys. I think a wide range is very normal and that all our bodies are different. If you are really concerned, you may want to discuss it with your doctor.

It took me a few months after stopping breast feeding with both my kids. My kids were each over a year old before I started mine. It kind of wierded me out the first time, but everyone is different, so as long as you are healthy otherwise I wouldn't worry to much. If you are thinking that you might be pregnant don't feel silly about visiting your doctor.

With my first kid, I breast fed until he was 14 months. I probably changed to the regular pill around then. My period did not start until 2 months after he weaned. I had a tubal ligation with my second (so no pills) and my period came back around 10 or 11 months while I was still breast feeding. Enjoy your time without a period!!!

I didn't get my period at all while I was breastfeeding. But I also had a Mirenau IUD, so that was probably part of the reason. I got my period back about 3 weeks after I had my IUD removed. But... When I had it removed the doctor said it might take up to 3 months before my period came back. To me that sounds like a long time. So I would say, wait until you "miss" what would have been a second cycle and then go see your doctor. You'll probably get your period soon. But there are other things besides pregnancy that will make you miss your period, like thyroid problems, that you would want to have ruled out.

I never had a period with either of my kids until I quit nursing. Every body is different.

I didn't get my period until my son was about 16 or 17 months old as I recall. I quit nursing him at 17 months and got an IUD put in when he was 18 months. I was on no birth control before that, but I was also going through a divorce and not having sex. I wouldn't worry too much. Due to the fact that you are still breast feeding is probably the reason...your stress/worries may have something to do with it also. If you are worried about the cramps, you might go see your doctor. I know it's difficult, but do your best to relax and make sure to use some kind of protection as long as you don't want to become pregnant. About the only thing you can do is wait...whether you are currently pregnant or not. If you are testing negative, that is probably the case. Those tests are pretty accurate. Good luck.

My period came back 4 months after I gave birth (I was bummed) and I was breastfeeding and breast fed for 18 months! It was regular too, which really sucked! I was looking forward to no period for a couple years, no such luck. :) Everyone's body is different. If you are having problems I would talk to your DR.

I nursed my daughter for 2 1/2 years, exclusively for 6 months and still a lot through the first 2 years. I did not take any birth control and got it back at 14 months. Don't worry, be happy!

I have 4 children and my periods started at all different times and I was also breastfeeding. I would wait about a week then check with your dr.

i still dont have my period and i am also breast feeding. my son is 14 months and i have been off birth control since march. i am trying to get pregnant again but nothing has happend so far. i spoke to the Dr and she said that some women produce more of the hormone that produces breast milk and in turn prevents you from having your period and she said not to worry until im completely done breast feeding. so i wouldnt worry its a normal thing but i would take another pregnancy test in 2 weeks just to make sure. hope this helped

It's normal. My daughter is 12 1/2 months. I breast fed her until her 1st birthday (June 14th) and I have still not had my period. I too was on the mini pill and just got off it about a month ago. I'm not worried yet.

Hi C., I was also concerned because many of my friends got theirs back around 5-6 months while still nursing. At 8-9 months my son cut back to nursing 1-2x daily. I did not get my period back until he was 1 year old, about 2 weeks after stopping nursing completely. :-)

I didn't take the pill, but started right around 6 months after DD was born. I want you to know, though, that I have taken 3-4 pregnancy tests since then (my daughter will be 1 this week) b/c I thought I was pregnant. My cycle is insane- sometimes 45+ days. I called my OB and she said that having a really irregular cycle after pregnancy is normal, and she couldn't give me an idea about when it would "even out." Good luck!

C., With my first two babies I got my period about 5 months after I completely stopped nursing. but, everyone is different!! hope that helps a little!

My daughter is almost 17 months, still breastfeeding fairly often, and I still don't have my period. I didn't get on the pill, though. I got an IUD in instead. So whether that has anything to do with it or not, I'm not sure. Just enjoying the lack of flow for now. :)

I breastfed my daughter until she was 2. My period came back when she was 15 months. I didn't take the mini-pill. My cycle was right back to normal though. Although, I only had 3 periods and I chose to get pregnant again. My friend also, breastfed till about 15 months she hadn't gotten her period back but, we found out she was pregnant again and it had happened in that 15th month. Others, in my breastfeeding group ranged from 3 months after birth to a year. Everyone is different!

With my oldest I was on the mini-pill while breastfeeding and got my first period at 11 months. With my second I am not on the mini-pill and got my period 3 months post partum, while breastfeeding. I was crampy probably 3-4 weeks before I got my period.

Mine came back at 12 months. I breastfed until my son was 3.

Yeah, I didn't use the pill at all and didn't get my period until my son was eight and a half months old. I weaned him at seven months. At the time I thought it was strange as I'd always had to supplement and he slept through the night at a young age so all the literature said I should have gotten my period about three months after he was born. In any case, I was crampy on and off for months before Aunt Flo finally arrived! I hope you get yours soon! It might not happen, though, until you stop breastfeeding entirely, as happened with me... (my doctor said it was totally normal not to have a period at all while breastfeeding, no matter how often).

It took me 13 months to get my cycle back with my first baby, about 10 months with the second, and I never took the mini-pill. I breastfed my first until she was 2 yrs. 10 mo. and I was 20 weeks into my next pregnancy, and my second still nurses once a day.

While I was living in Salt Lake City, we addressed this topic on Mamasource, and it turns out that there are quite a few of us for whom it is normal for our first period to be over a year after our children are born if we breastfeed. In fact, the timelines seemed as varied as we women are. Still, if you are concerned, maybe a visit to your OB/GYN would be a good idea, just to be sure nothing is going on that shouldn't be.

Hope that helps.

My son is 15 months old and I have only gotten 2 periods.. one when he was 10 months and another when he was 13 months... NOT FUN ONES Either but I was worried I was prego too and took a test... would have been fine.. but just not ready again yet... I Still breastfeed him morning, night and at nap if we are home. I didn't ever take the mini-pill but I thought I would share since we are close to the same boat. I am sure it is because you are breast feeding!

Kudos to you my dear for still breastfeeding.. what a healthy little girl she must be... and I call my son my baby still too! :)

Most of the moms I know and myself got our periods between the 6-9 month range. However, I have one friend who got her period a month after giving birth with both of her kids (and she's still nursing her younger toddler who is 16-17 months old). Also, I know moms who didn't get their period until after they completely stopped nursing... so basically, it's different for everyone. :-)

I would recommend calling your doctor to see if it's normal to have cramping after going off the mini-pill. I know that my body didn't react well to the mini-pill (used to stop my too long, ongoing bleeding after giving birth). I finally stopped bleeding and then promptly started back up again. So, I'm not sure if it's common to have side-effects after going off it when you've been on it for over a year. I hope you're feeling better soon. Cramps are the worst! :-)