The Return of the Period

Updated on April 12, 2007
K.L. asks from Jacksonville, NC
22 answers

I've been breastfeeding my son and his is 4 months old, and I just got my monthly visitor. When does your period normally return if your breastfeeding? I thought that usually is comes much later. I've been mostly exclusively breastfeeding him, we hit a rough spot, but its been a week since I supplemented him or gave him a bottle.

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L.W.

answers from Norfolk on

Hi K.,

I exclusively breastfed both my boys (and am still breastfeeding my youngest). With my first son, I didn't get my period until he was 10 or 11 months old. With my second child, I got it at 3 months. Sorry you didn't get a longer reprieve!

Take care

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P.M.

answers from Goldsboro on

Hey there i was solly breastfeeding my son it took me til he was 8 months old to get it back.With my daughter it only took 2 months for it every person is different.

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R.B.

answers from Charleston on

I think every woman is different i know when i was breastfeeding my son i did not have a period until i was fully dried up and then my doctor thought that they would have to give me something to get my period going because it took a while for it to start up again but i was told by my doctor some women do get their period while breastfeeding i know i did not get mine until i stopped breast feeding

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M.V.

answers from Florence on

Hi Kimerbly
This varies immensly from woman to woman. Some woman need very little nursing to suppress their periods entirely, others can nurse all day and night and it's not enough to suppress their periods.
Don't be suprised if when you nurse more (your baby hits a growth spurt, or you supplement less) your period disappears for while. It just depends on your body. So you might not be regular for a long time.
Good luck with your little nursling!!

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H.L.

answers from Hickory on

Well i got my period back when my kids were 6 weeks old. All 3 of mine were breastfed so it really depends on your body. I was never the lucky one with the not having your period

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S.

answers from Spartanburg on

mine came back when I stopped breastfeeding, I didn't think you could have it while breastfeeding...there is always something new to learn about this I guess!!!Did you speak with your GYN?

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J.S.

answers from Norfolk on

I am still exclusively breast feeding and I got mine the second month out. I was soooo upset! I figured that was one of the perks of nursing! :( Oh, well.

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J.B.

answers from Fayetteville on

My daughter is 5 months old and I just got mine for the first time yesterday. I talked to a doctor and they said it is normal for it to show back up 4-6 months post partum. Nothing to worry about though.

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S.J.

answers from Charlotte on

Hi K.,

I never missed one even though I was breastfeeding exclusively. After the post-partum stuff was done, 4 weeks later I started and haven't missed one unless I was pregnant and then, the same thing happened. Everyone is different, but that's how it worked for me.

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C.A.

answers from Spartanburg on

Hi K.:

I think that it just depends on your body. I pumped and supplemented my 1st daughter for 3 months and it returned about 2 weeks after I stopped. I pumped and supplemented my second daughter for 10 months and it returned again about 2-3 weeks after I stopped. Every woman's body is different.

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T.K.

answers from Spartanburg on

I don't know when it is spoced to return I think it is different for every person and every pregnancy. I breastfeed my daughter who is now 3 and got my period back right away like within the first month after having her. I am now breastfeeding my son who is 5 months old now and still haven't had my monthly. Hope this helps.

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J.J.

answers from Greenville on

Hi there,
I exclusively breastfed both of my children for over a year each and my period returned right on schedule after my bleeding stopped from childbirth. I guess I was not one of the lucky ones because mine was just as regular as it was before childbirth and breatfeeding. I never supplemented or pumped and I still got mine, so like everyone says it is different for everyone. And remember, you can still get pregnant while breastfeeding :-)

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R.C.

answers from Asheville on

I think it is pretty normal to get your period even when your breast feeding. ALthough its been several years I seem to remember having mine pretty regularly during that time. Just like you can still get pregnant when your breast feeding I think same goes for having your period.

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J.C.

answers from Charlotte on

I have a 11 month old. I have been exclusivly breastfeeding her also. It was about 4 months when I had a light period. Since then I have only had one more. Your cycle may not be regular. Do not be surprised that it came so soon. Believe me it will not be your regular one. I was so sure that it would go back to normal and I haven't yet.

I hope this helps.

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M.M.

answers from Norfolk on

Some people get it at 6 weeks. I got mine at 1 year. The supplementing could have done it. It might be possible that it doesn't come back again for a while.

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I.F.

answers from Washington DC on

Usually when you are breastfeeding even when you are not doing it exclusively, your period does not return until the baby is 7 months or older. I breastfed my daughter until she was 12 months and sometimes i supplemented with formula and my period didnt come on until she was around 11 months or so. Maybe you should consult your Dr or Lactation Consultant to see why your period is coming back so soon.

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N.O.

answers from Norfolk on

What happened to you isn't unusual. The return of AF is very individual. I'm on the other side and haven't had mine for 10 + months.

A link for you. http://www.mother-2-mother.com/menstruation.htm

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B.P.

answers from Jacksonville on

Well, I must have had luck because, I did not get my period until my son turned 7 months. I stopped nursing when he turned 6 1/2 months. But, if your not sure just remeber every woman body is different. Also ask your doctor if your still not sure.

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C.C.

answers from Charlotte on

I was told when I breastfed that I may not get my period while breastfeeding. That was not the case for me, it wasn't long after I had my children that my periods returned, and things were back to normal. I exclusively breastfed both of my boys. I have heard of women who didn't have their periods while breastfeeding. I guess I wasn't one of the lucky ones.

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H.P.

answers from Fayetteville on

when i asked the doctor about this, they said that it usually returns around six months post partum, but for some women they get their mesntrual cycle earlier.. even if they are breastfeeding

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S.C.

answers from Fayetteville on

i got mine after 7 months, it just depends on your body and how quickly your hormones recover.

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J.H.

answers from Greenville on

i nused 5 kids and had periods with all five from day one. youre lucky you got a short break.:)

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