When to Expect Period to Come Back?

Updated on October 18, 2010
R.M. asks from Big Lake, MN
21 answers

I gave birth to my daughter almost 13 weeks ago and I'm thrilled to say that I've been exclusively breastfeeding her since birth. I'm back to work now and I'm nuring before work and when I get home and before bed, and then I'm pumping at work.

At my 6 wk appointment my doctor put me on the mini-pill and I've been on that about 5 weeks now. So, I've used an entire pack and am now on the 2nd one but did not get a period during that last week.

I know that if you're exclusively breastfeeding you may not get a period but since ime back to work an pumping when I'm able at work I wasn't sure if that was different.

So I'm wondering what others experienced and how to calm myself so that I don't go out and buy a pregnance test every month when my period doesn't come. I have had sex with my husband since been put on the pill and a couple times we did not use a back-up method.

Thanks in advance

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.I.

answers from Minneapolis on

I also breastfed my daughter and didn't get my first period until she was 14 months old. It was a great time -- I definitely didn't miss having it! I've heard that it varies a lot from woman to woman.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Davenport on

I breastfed exclusively for the first year with both of my babies and I got my period back when my babies were about 9 or 10 months.

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.V.

answers from Chicago on

It really varies woman to woman. I am one of those people who doesn't have her period when she is breastfeeding.

Since you are on the pill, don't worry about it. You could get your period back immediately or not until you wean. No way to tell.

3 moms found this helpful
Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

I was also on the mini-pill and pumping and I didn't get my period back until 11 months when my milk supply was in the tank and I was only feeding twice a day and no longer pumping. After that I switched back to the regular pill so I wouldn't be so paranoid about getting pregnant on the low dose one since I was done nursing at one year.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Omaha on

I breastfed all 3 of mine and was on the mini pill with the last 2. Your OB should've explained to you when you got the pills that the mini pills aren't exactly the same as regular birth control pills. You take all of them and you don't necessarily get your period the last week. The first one I used the POPs pills with I got my period back when he was 6-7 mos. old. With the youngest I didn't get my period back until he was 10 mos. I know alot of people who say they didn't get theirs back until they were completely done breastfeeding. Hope this helps put you at ease a bit. I know I have had my share of worrying and wondering :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.W.

answers from Austin on

When breastfeeding exclusively every couple hours or so, your cycle is interrupted. Even after introducing solids, mine often didn't return for several months. My children are between 2 and three years apart and I menstruated about 5 times in 13 years. I did not use the mini pill as we wanted children, and don't know how that would effect menstruation. Really the nursing covers this, the mini-pill is your back up. One of the perks of nursing is not having to mess with cycles. Our children are 15 yrs., 12, 10, 8, 5, and 3. Since weening the last, I've been more regular than I ever was. Blessings on this...don't worry about that test unless you are having other symptoms...relax and enjoy.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Duluth on

As far as when you will get your period back, it really depends. Using the minipill jumpstarted my cycle after my first and I got pregnant before getting a period, with my second I used NFP/FAM and didn't get my period for 8 months.

One thing to note is that the mini pill DOES NOT have sugar pills. Every pill in the pack contains hormones, so you shouldn't expect a period on your fourth week of pills, nor should you skip them thinking they are placebos.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.T.

answers from Rochester on

Everyone is different but you may not have a period again until you stop breast feeding. I nursed our daughter for 15 months (and took the mini-pill). I got my period the month after I stopped nursing her. I've been nursing our son now for 14 months (and taking the mini-pill) and still no period.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I never get my cycles back while I'm nursing. Well, at least for the first year. With my last one, I got it back at 14 months. I never used any other form of bc while nursing, so I have no idea how those things will mess with your hormones.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.C.

answers from Lincoln on

I didn't get my period back until I had quit breastfeeding for at least 4 months. So sometimes I'd go 2 years without a period. Since your nursing and on the pill you shouldn't have to worry about pregnancy, just enjoy the period-free lifestyle. :-)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

L.S.

answers from Lincoln on

I breastfed my daughter until she was over two and was on the mini pill as well. My period did not come back until she was 18 months old and for the first four months, it was only every other month. I was always paranoid about being pregnant again and think I took a test each month because I was so paranoid! It could be quite a while before your period comes back so try to enjoy it :-)

A.G.

answers from Pocatello on

I breast fed and was on the mini pill. Still didn't get period back until I was completely done nursing my babies. With my first I got it back right at 12 months and my second she was 14 months before I got it back. Because you are pumping you may get it back sooner but probably not yet. My friend nursed and pump cause she went back to work like you and it still took until her baby was 10 months before she got her first period. So I think your fine.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

S.H.

answers from Lincoln on

I'm apparently the odd duck. I went back to work at 8 weeks, where for the first few months I pumped twice during my 8 hour day. Once my daughter got on the same feeding schedule I was on for pumping, I just started nursing her at work too (I work at the daycare she goes to). My period came back about the same time I went back to work. And I got it every 2 weeks. When I talked to my doctor about if there was anything I could do to change that, the only option was regular BC which I couldn't take until I was completely done nursing. They did say that pregnancy and child birth can do weird things to your body -- mine just didn't go the normal weird!

Not sure if part of the reason for the irregular cycles was because I've always been irregular (when not on BC, I usually got 45-90 days between cycles instead of the normal 28 days).

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.H.

answers from Dallas on

I have a 6 month old who is breastfed and i had my first period last month..however my twin sister breastfed and never had a period however she still ended up pregnant when her first daughter was 6 months old and did use backup I believe foam or spermicide. Also, please know that the pill you can take while nursing does not work for everyone...which is why I opted not to get on it. You can still get pregnant on that pill if its not effective for you (it happened to a friend of mine..so i advise using backup to reduce the risk of a surprise!!!

Congrats on your little one...and good luck!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R.J.

answers from Seattle on

I nursed exclusively and had my period back within a couple weeks. Frustrating to know it can come back at any point between 1 month and 2 years.... but it's just individual fertility.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.C.

answers from Dallas on

I didn't get my period back until my son was 17 months. I night weaned him at 13 months and it took about 4 more months for my period to start back, even though I was still breastfeeding several times during the day. I have a good friend who was EBF also and got her period back at 14 weeks. Congrats on your sweet baby girl!!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

R..

answers from Austin on

I am on the mini-pill too, pretty much same exact situation.. nursing, pumping at work. My dd is 6 months... I had some spotting last month for the first time (and my milk supply DROPPED massively... I would suggest storing enough milk to get her through at least 3-4 days in case it happens to you too...) but still haven't had a full-out period. Just one more perk to breastfeeding! :)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

V.F.

answers from Santa Fe on

My experience it that it varies. With my first, my period came back when she was 7 months old. With my second it came back when he was 14 months old. I was breastfeeding - until 12 months with the first, and until 16 months with the second.
I have figured that the night time nursing is the main difference. With #1 she started sleeping through at about 3 months (although that regressed when she started getting teeth, around 9 months), With #2 he started sleeping through the night at about 14 months, when I cut him off (of night time feedings). (Mommy needed sleep!)
With both kids I was back at work at 3 months - and doing the pumping routine to keep up the milk supply. (No birth control pills for either.)
(Do keep in mind that you will not have a period before you are fertile - we had decided that if a 'accident' happened, then so it went. Not the right answer for everyone.)

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

B.O.

answers from Dallas on

no offense to anyone that thinks nursing is enough birth control, but i've known several friends who have gotten pregnant and had this same rationale. With my first, I had an IUD at 5 wks post partem os I didn't have a period anyways. With my second, i stayed home and nursed exclusively and my period came back when he was 9 months. it's different for everyone. If you are really concerned, have you considered going on depo provera? I was on it for 6 years starting at 18. I loved it and it;s safe while breast feeding. I didn't gain wieght with it and i didn't have periods. You get it the shot once every 3 months and you can stop whenever you want. I personally have Implanon, which is an implant in my arm and I love it! I've had it since my son was nine months. I don't have a period with it and it's good for 3 years. Now, if you want ot get pregnant before those 3 years, I wouldn't recommend it, because it has be removed. But I would really look into the depo. It's a great alternative to the minipill and will make you feel better about not getting pregnant!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.R.

answers from Orlando on

I didn't get mine for a full year, 12 months. I also exclusively breastfed and pumped at work. Although they do say everyone is different and that's why Dr's talk about birth control right away after giving birth, so I's really hard to pin point. Anyway, it was 12 mos for me :) Congratulations on baby and breastfeeding!! enjoy..

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.W.

answers from Madison on

I didn't get my period back with either of my two children until I completely finished nursing them. If you're not getting your period while nursing, you are most likely not ovulating. That alone is not enough for birth control (since there is that one ovulation before you get your first period!), but in addition to taking the mini-pill.... well, you are doing a very good job of preventing an unplanned pregancy, and you should NOT worry yourself every month. I think you're very safe.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions