New Mom

It is very normal. With my first child I didn't get a cycle till I quit breastfeeding, with this one it's been two months and I still haven't had one. In the old days if a woman didn't want to get pregnant, she just kept breastfeeding. Odd, but it is supposed to be very hard to get pregnant while breastfeeding.

I breastfed for 3 years and did not have a period the whole time. I loved it and that was one of the reasons I did it so long. (the other was because I liked the boobs, hehe) You might call your doctor and ask him or her but from what I remember it is perfecty normal. I should say that my baby is 23 years old now so it was a LONG time ago.

yes. i don't get mine until about 10 mos. I breast exclusively until about 6 or 7 mos.

It is very normal not to have a cycle while breastfeeding, and the longer you EBF, the longer it will be before your cycle starts again. With my son I didn't have a cycle until he slept through the night without a feeding (at 5 months) he only did that a few days, but I started AF 2 weeks later. Plus, I was irregular until months after my son weaned, so expect that as well.
As PP said, you can still get pregnant though - you'll ovulate before you have your period!! So start thinking about bc now!

Hi S.,
Congratulations on your little bundle of joy. It is normal for you not to have a period while breast feeding. I wouldn't worry about that. But if you don't want another baby right now, you do need to be careful. I was told that you couldn't get pregnant while breastfeeding. I found out first hand that you can. My daughters are only 14 months apart.

Yes when you are breast feeding it is very normal not to have a period. but it does not mean you can't get pregnant again. so be careful

I went with out my from January until last week, but I am breastfeeding plus have the IUD so it might be a little different for me, but I have heard it is very normal.

Hope that helps,
A.

It's completely normal. If you are exclusively breastfeeding your cycles may not return until you start offering anything else by mouth, including pacifiers. With my first, I started hormonal birth control and my periods came back, but with irregular flow. I decided to go with the paragard IUD because it has no hormones and haven't bled since it was inserted. So, unless you count the postpartum bleeding and the spotting from the IUD placement, I haven't had a period since before I got pregnant in Feb 07. My baby is going to be 6 months on Monday. So long as you're using condoms or other contraceptives, you don't need to worry about pregnancy either. Just relax, enjoy your baby and the break from the monthly mess.

S., nothing to worry about, this is the way it goes, but you can still get pregnant so be VERY careful!!!!

Breast feeding does trigger hormones that are supposed to suppress your period... doesn't always happen but should. Also, please take into consideration everything your body has been through in the past year. Your body has gone through so many hormonal changes throughout pregnancy and it isn't done yet. Don't expect your period to be regular instantly. It can be in some women but there is nothing wrong with you if it isn't. Our bodies need quite a bit of time to recover from pregnancy in a lot of different ways.

It's normal not to have a cycle while breast feeding. Mine didn't get back to normal until after I completely stopped. I breast fed my son for 1 year. Just a friendly warning, you can still get pg while breast feeding, but your cycle may not be normal until you stop.

I didn't have a period the entire time I breastfed my 1st baby, which was about 11 mos. It was awesome! Unfortunately I started cycling with my second after about 3 mos. So enjoy it as long as it lasts!

It can be normal to have very irregular to nonexistent periods for the entire time you breastfeed. I just had my third by c-section and went about 3 months before my first period. I have a friend who went 18 months!! Don't be afraid to call your doctor and check with him or her for reassurance. Congratulations!

Congratulations on your new little one! My cycle was also a little erratic after my daughter (also a C-section). The doctor assured me this was normal. As long as you have a regular cycle within 3 months with no abnormal pain before you actually start there is nothing to worry about. Give it a few more weeks. If you still haven't had a full normal cycle, definately get in to see your doctor.

J.

If you continue to breastfeed, your cycle may not return for a while. I gave birth on Jan. 28 and breastfed until about the middle of April, and my period returned in the middle of April. With me, though, the only reason I quit breastfeeding is that my milk stopped being consistent enough to keep the baby full.

It is different for everyone, but it can take about 3 or more months to have a period after the baby.

yes this is normal. My son is 5 years old now but I also breastfed him and didn't have a cycle the whole time I nursed. About a week after I stopped nursing the cycle returned. It was a little heavy at first but then tapered off. I was just like you as well with my cycles being like clockwork. Don't worry, this is nothing to panic over.

Don't have any fears in my opinion! I have been breastfeeding my son since he was born May 2007. We are in the process of weaning now that he is a year old, and I have yet had a period. Of course I am not complaining. It is normal for women who are nursing to have light or even no periods at all. If you still have concerns though, contact your doctor. They are there to help you whenever you need it!

Hi. When I had my son I did not get a period until my son was 7 mth. old. I had stopped nursing by this time. I believe that you are not suppose to have a period while nursing. But you might want to check with your doctor.

Hi Stacy, I am a mother of 2 sons and I breastfed both of them. My first son who is now 18, I breastfed for 2 years and I did not have a menstrual cycle the whole time I breastfed and it only came back a few months after. The same goes for my second son but I only breastfed him for 6 months, I had to go back to work. Anyways enjoy while it lasts. The doctor said it was normal not to have one when breastfeeding.

I didn't get my period back until a few weeks after my son turned 1 and that's when he was starting to just nurse in the morning and at night.

Yes it is normal not to have a period while you're breastfeeding. I went through the same thing with a c-section then breastfeeding. Your menstual cycle will eventually come back.

I too am breastfeeding and my son is 10 months old. I didn't get my first period after he was born till around 6 months. Once he wasn't feeding as often was when it started.(those wonderful female hormones!!) I had a period and then skipped the next month and its never been like clock work.(Like prior to having my son) So just be careful with sex if your not ready to have another!!!Who knows when your ovulating!!

Yes, you are completly normal!! I delivered by C-section and had the normal bleeding from that for about 6 weeks also. I breastfed also. My first normal period was the end of Febuary ( 8 months after the baby was born )
Just enjoy your "time off" It will come back soon enough!!
Enjoy your new baby!
T. S

Hi S.. What your body is doing sounds completely normal to me. After I had my son, I didn't have a period for the whole nine months that I was breastfeeding him. It was awesome! I had never heard of that, either, but everything was fine. Enjoy your little one. They change so quickly!

With both of my girls (who were both breastfed) I didn't start my period until they were around 6 months old. I think that it's pretty normal. Some women I know didn't start back until their babies were 10 - 12 months. Some women I know started back earlier. Hope that helps! :)

First off, congrats on the new baby!! Yes it is normal for your cycle to be completely out of whack and/or MIA while you are breastfeeding. With my first child I had a cycle about 3 times the whole time I was breastfeeding. Now, with my second that was born on Jan. 30 I haven't had a single cycle yet only the usual bleeding for 6 weeks after the birth. It is your hormones being messed up and the bodies own personal birth control. If you feel like you are not sure about pregnancy you can take a test if you want. Also, thank you, thank you, thank you! Feb. 18th is my birthday.

I breast fed all of my children and never had a period while doing so. My oldest I breast fed for a year and a half and didn't have a period at all until about a month after I stopped breast feeding. Some women are like me and don't have periods and some women do have them. My guess is you're going to be one of the lucky ones like me. Good luck on everything and congratulations.

Totall normal. I did not have a period until a month after my son stopped breastfeeding. Consider it another perk of breastfeeding!

I breastfed and after about six months I had a period and then it stopped until about nine months. At that point my daughter was starting to ween and my periods became more predictable in time and length. It's just part of your body's way of preventing a second pregnancy while you're nursing a new born (although you can always get pregnant while nursing whether you're having your period or not).

Hi S.,
Yes it is normal not to have your period while breastfeeding. (In my opinion, just enjoy not having one more thing to take care of at this time.) It just depends on your body when it will return. This could be any time now up to 2 years. Your period will probably not resume while you are breastfeeding around the clock.
I have twin 18 month old children. Mine resumed when they were 11 months old.
The LaLeche League has a great breastfeeding hotline with very helpful people answering any breastfeeding questions.
Their number is 877-453-5324.
I hope this helps.
C.

Totally normal not to have a period when breastfeeding. I nursed my daughter for 7 months straight....no formula and didn't have a period at all for those 7 months (it was kind of great actually.) When I did stop nursing my period did come back and it seems like it is a little weird in that it seems like it goes on forever (7 + days) I didn't have that with my first child so I am hoping after a while this will go back to normal. Good luck! L.

Hi

It is normal. I didn't start my period after having my first child until she was 6 months old. I breast fed her also. Enjoy it while it last!!

Sydne

It's very normal not to get a period while breatfeeding. I breastfed all of my kids for the first year and did not have a period the entire time.

yes, this is normal. mine don't usually return til i wean. you can get pregnant though, as i found out! even without a regular cycle, you can still ovulate.

Yes it is totally normal. When you are breastfeeding. Everyone is different you could start in a couple of months or if you are nursing exclusively it might not start again until your son starts solids.

It is normal to bleed for the 6 wks after birth and if you are breastfeeding to not have a period at all. I nursed both of my boys until they were a year old. I started my period back when they were both about 6 mths old.

S.,

I think it is an individual thing. I started mine at about 9 months after giving birth and I was still breastfeeding. My sister-in-law was even longer. You can get a mild birth control and still breastfeed, that is what I did. My sister got pregnant while breatfeeding, so I started the pills when my baby was 6 weeks and it did not effect with my milk production. Enjoy your son, they grow up way too fast.

Congratulations S.!
My middle son was born on Feb 18, 2003. It is absolutely normal for you to not have a period for months after having your baby if you breastfeed at least 6-8 times a day and do not go on the pill. The hormones your body produces while breastfeeding supress ovulation. Just another benefit of nursing! Enjoy every stage with your little guy. As you said, it goes too fast!
D.

i breast feed for the first month and a half after i had my baby boy! i had him on Feb 15 i just started my period last saturday

Yes it is normal!! I didn't have a period for a year after both of my children and my cycles have always been normal and have now returned to normal. Please enjoy this time with no period and don't worry!! Read up on this at babycenter.com or another informative website.
L.

That's normal. The hormones that are produced while you are breastfeeding inhibit ovulation, but only for a short time. I breastfed my daughter for 4 months. I started my first period when she was about 3 months old... The amount of time varies from person to person, so enjoy the break from your menstral cycle, but don't count on it for birth control!!

Hi S.!!

It is very normal. I do not start until my babies are 9 months old. When you start while breastfeeding is different for every woman. Enjoy the break from it.
My baby boy was born on February 18th as well, I am breastfeeding and have not started. If I follow my normal routine, I won't start until his is around 9 months old.

I have two children, one little girl who will turn 3 this summer, and an almost 4 month old baby boy, who I am nursing currently. I also nursed my little girl as well. Both times I haven't had a period while nursing, its completely normal! Enjoy the time off from having one, because once you stop nursing, its sure to come back. Enjoy your new baby, they grow up too fast!

This is normal. Some mothers don't have a cycle while breastfeeding.

It is very common, be happy and enjoy it while you can.

I think that is normal. Breast feeding naturally inhibits fertility for about six months--though you don't want to rely on it. My doctor told me that the hormonal mix while breastfeeding actually resembles menopause, so if sex doesn't feel right, that could be why.

Dear S.,

Congratulations on the birth of your new baby.

You have discovered just one of the many benefits of nursing - no periods. It is different for each woman, but with three babies myself, I have gone as long as 14 months without a period. Don't think that just because you aren't having a period that you are not ovulating - it is still possible to become pregnant while you are breastfeeding, even if you haven't had a period.

Enjoy your precious baby.

Blessings,
D.

Some women start while breastfeeding, but I never have. I wean my children around 18 months and i will have my first period about a month after that. then it takes a couple months to get regular again.

Some women start when their babies begin drinking less milk and eating more food (8-10 months). As you don't know when you will have your first cycle, just be aware that you could get pregnant. So take precautions.

But enjoy the break!

Hi S. - It is quite normal. I have girlfriends whose periods did not start until the 7th month. I just had my first period and my baby will be a year in a few weeks. I went from having her to an IUD to having the IUD taken out.

Don't worry, enjoy the time without the monthly friend.

If you're breastfeeding fulltime you shouldn't have your period. Supposedly, you shouldn't be able to get pregnant either. My second came about right as I was transitioning my first to solids, at 4 mos. :}

I never breast fed, ( no milk) but I heard it is normal not to have a period while breastfeeding. good luck to ya and God bless you and your baby boy.
Carolyn

Just to let you know you as normal as you can be. I breastfeed all my kids and the only one I had a period with was the one that I started on the pill. Untill I finished breastfeeding I did not have one so don't worry you are fine.

Enjoy not having one but be ware you still can get pregnet.

L. C.

S.,
I didn't get my period until a couple months after I stopped breastfeeding. By that time my daughter was almost a year old! My doctor said that's normal, but it's also normal to start getting periods while you're breastfeeding. I think they start about the time that you're no longer exclusively breastfeeding, if I remember right. Like maybe about the time your baby starts eating babyfood, etc. Hope this is helpful!
W.

no it is not abnormal to not have a period while nursing, it could be a couple of moths. But remember you could still get pregnant.

Hi, S.. Yes, it is perfectly normal not to have a period when breastfeeding. I have five kids, and my breastfeeding freedom from periods varied in length from one year to only six months.

L.

That is totally normal. I also gave birth Feb 18th c-section, and have yet to have my period. With my first son, I didn't have a period for about 7 months after having him (breastfeeding) and didn't get back to my regular cycle till about a year after giving birth...also by c-section. No worries, unless you start to get severe cramping without bleeding or a dark discharge with a bad smell...then you definitely get to the doc, fast.

That is completely normal. Breastfeeding can delay your period. Just always be sure to take something with you because you never know when Mother Nature may return. Are you exclusively breastfeeding?

As long as your baby is nursing a lot it keeps you from having a period. I didn't get mine back until my daughter was 8 months and starting to eat solids well. Enjoy it!

I had a c-section 7 years ago and breast fed my daughter. I did not have a period for almost 4 months afterward. From what I remember my doctor telling me it was perfectly normal, however, that doesn't mean that you shouldn't use safe sex practices. You can still get pregnant during this time.

I didn't get my first period (after a c-section) until my daughter was 10 months old. You're not necessarily protected from getting pregnant while breastfeeding; but, don't be surprised if you don't get a period.

I had a C-section with DD and bled for about 10 - 12 weeks afterward. Then, I didn't have a period for a year and a half.

Then, with DS, I had a vaginal delivery, bled for probably 6 weeks afterward and then didn't have a period for about 11 or 12 months.

It's completely normal. Enjoy it while you can. :)

~A.~

i nursed my son for 13 months, and did not have a period until he was 1 year. i was on birth control pills that are okay with breast feeding - not sure if this had anything to do with it. i also took a pregnancy test every couple of months just because it made me nervous & the pills that are compatible with breast feeding are not the most effective at preventing pregnancy. enjoy this time while it lasts!!