Breastfeeding and Conceving

Updated on June 21, 2016
R.S. asks from Chicago, IL
12 answers

Hi there,

I am exclusively nursing our three month old, with no return of a period. Based on that, my chances of getting pregnant are pretty low, though not impossible, since I am not on any birth control and there's always that first egg before a period. Having said that, my last three pregnancies, I was able to conceive only after my kids were well over a year old and my period returned. I'm just curious if any of you found yourselves pregnant while breastfeeding and not having a period?

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Thanks for the feedback! :)

Featured Answers

T.S.

answers from San Francisco on

No, because I was responsible and went back on the pill as soon as I could (yes you can do this safely while breastfeeding.) If you don't want to take the pill then get an IUD or at least use a condom. Please be an adult and take care of this, I don't understand in this day and age why a woman would treat her reproductive system like a roulette wheel and possibly find herself pregnant with a baby she didn't want and/or can't afford, that's just SO irresponsible :-(

4 moms found this helpful

More Answers

D.B.

answers from Boston on

I worked in women's health care, and we saw it all the time. In fact, it was hard to know when the women got pregnant because there was no LMP (Last Menstrual Period) date except the one 12-18 months ago, before the last baby. Pregnancy gestation could only be estimated through pelvic exams.

I was battling infertility until I finally conceived my son. After that, my fertility returned and I was quite shocked. Assume you are fertile every single day, and take precautions.

9 moms found this helpful

J.S.

answers from St. Louis on

Nursing tends to stop your period, it doesn't stop ovulation. That you didn't get pregnant is more dumb luck.

9 moms found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

Breast feeding is not a birth control method.
It doesn't matter whether you get your period or not - it's a matter of when you ovulate.
It might make it harder to conceive for some women while others get pregnant without even thinking about it.
Get on a birth control method if you want to space out having kids for awhile.
Or if you're done, then Hubby can get a vasectomy.

5 moms found this helpful
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E.T.

answers from Rochester on

Not me because I took the mini-pill, but I have three friends who got pregnant while nursing and not taking birth control. All three have "Irish twins"--babies less than a year apart. If you don't want to get pregnant, use birth control.

4 moms found this helpful
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C.S.

answers from Miami on

My sister didn't conceive while nursing her firstborn for almost 22 months. Once she stopped nursing, she conceived about 6 months later (no birth control). She thought the same would work when nursing her second born - she was exhausted, losing weight, and had a 4 month old - that's right babies are 13 months apart. And she is a nurse! If you are not ready for the next baby, then use birth control!!!

3 moms found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from Sarasota on

I sure did!! My son was conceived when my daughter was four months old!!! I didn't have a period nor did I really bleed after delivering my daughter! I have a gorgeous 12 and a gorgeous 11 year old!! Irish twins baby!

2 moms found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Portland on

I conceived very easily (thankful) so when mine first slept through the night, my doctor had me go on the mini-pill. It was deemed safe for breastfeeding women and their babies.

I was still nursing every 3-4 hours during the day.

My sister-in-law got pregnant while breastfeeding without a period. I don't know if she had the spotting, but I know it came as a complete surprise.

2 moms found this helpful

T.D.

answers from Springfield on

i got pregnant with my daughter while brestfeeding my son, no period, and on a mini pill. (i missed one pill and thats when it happened) so definitely possible for it to happen, it can and does!

2 moms found this helpful
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G.L.

answers from Salt Lake City on

Every body is different. One of my friends conceived while exclusively nursing a 3 month old, with no return of her period. Another conceived when her nursling was 6 months old, with no return of her period. It's probably best to assume you're fertile.

2 moms found this helpful

W.W.

answers from Washington DC on

Munchkins...

Congratulations on your newest munchkin!!

I was pregnant five years in a row. I was still breast feeding my first son when I got pregnant with my second son. I had one miscarriage in between the two and no periods.

Every body is different. If you don't want to get pregnant again? Talk with your doctor about birth control. Even condoms will work.

2 moms found this helpful
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D..

answers from Miami on

One of my family members did. She had several miscarriages, and was very grateful to be pregnant the 2nd time even though she sure didn't expect it. Ideally, she would have waited another year to try...

1 mom found this helpful
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