Trying to Conceive While Breastfeeding and No Return of Period

Updated on February 10, 2011
M.S. asks from New York, NY
12 answers

Hi ladies. I am breastfeeding and have not gotten my perioid yet. Our child is almost 1 year. (She both breastfeeds and eats solids.) We are trying for another baby. But because my period has not returned, it is hard to determine when I am ovulating because most calculations call for the last day of your period. Any suggestions, tips, similar experiences? Oh - I guess it is worth mentioning that I did get pregnant with our second while I was still breastfeeding our first, however in that case my period had returned. Thanks tons in advance.

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S.C.

answers from Norfolk on

My doctor told me not to try to conceive while I was still breastfeeding. So I breastfed a few more months and then started for a second.

1 mom found this helpful

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T.C.

answers from Colorado Springs on

I never got my period before 14 months postpartum at the earliest. I imagine you are similar to me in that. My advice is to enjoy the breastfeeding of this child, don't wean earlier than you had planned just because you want to get pregnant. It will come in time. If you wean your child earlier than you planned, and then can't get pregnant for some reason, you will have missed out on this joy with your baby. We always just trust that God has perfect timing for our children, and rest in His perfect providence for us.

4 moms found this helpful

R.N.

answers from Phoenix on

I became prego with my second without having a period in between and breastfeeding. I think it just depends on the person. Keep breastfeeding and go as long as you can kuddos to you for going as long as you have! Like one of the other moms suggested if you really want this baby just keep having sex! If sex isn't really a motivator then just go with the flow and it WILL happen eventually. I'm a strong believer of things happen for a reason. Just give it time, pray, and somehow things will work out the way they are supposed to :)

2 moms found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Clarksville on

After my oldest I had an iud placed, then when my baby was 9 months old I had it removed. I got pregnant about 6 weeks later. I nursed the whole time and got pregnant while nursing. Before having the iud removed I had one spotting period, it wasn't a heavy period. Then after having it removed I had a heavy period. When I got pregnant my due date didn't add up with my last period, so I am not sure if the bleeding I had after getting the iud removed was do to getting it removed or having a period. Good luck, I hope you get a positive soon.

1 mom found this helpful

A.S.

answers from Spokane on

First, you can still get pregnant. I was nursing my oldest daughter, no period in site, when I got pregnant with my youngest daughter. Second, are you out of your mind wanting to get pregnant again this quickly? Your body needs time to heal, at least two years between pregnancies. Seriously and I'm talking from experience here! All four of my children are approximately 16 months apart. I certainly didn't plan it that way. Two of them shouldn't even exist if birth control worked properly. Chasing a toddler around or multiple toddlers around while caring for a newborn is no picnic. Plus the extra cost in diapers & lost sleep is astronomical. Not giving your body a chance to heal properly can lead to problems with a new pregnancy and also problems with you as well. Why are you in such a hurry? Why do you want to be so worn out with having children that you don't have the energy to care for them properly or even give them the individual time that they deserve? It's impossible to do with them so close together.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

I never had a period while breastfeeding. However, it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding but it is a small percentage.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.K.

answers from Kansas City on

Unless you take an ovulation kit test EVERYDAY while you breastfeed, you won't know you ovulated until your first period back. The reason people get pregnant while breastfeeding without a period is because they got caught on the first cycle. You ovulate, then have a period. Without a kit, you won't catch that first ovulation.

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Y.Y.

answers from New York on

if you want to have another baby i think its better to consult your obstetrician-gynecologist... they may ask you to take pills to trigger your period.. my ob told me to take progesterone pills to trigger my period though mine's another way around.. i want to have my period back so i can start on my depot-provera..

1 mom found this helpful

P.M.

answers from Tampa on

You can still conceive even if your period hasn't returned... BUT

I'd wait another year at least. Children need to have one on one Mommy time for at least the first 2-3 years. It's the most important period of time in their development. It's also super h*** o* your body to have another child so soon.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.D.

answers from New York on

No advise just a note to say my close friend was very happy to get pregnant before her period returned. I myself got pregnant while still nursing at about 14months but I'd had my period so no big help there :) Good luck and blessings to you and your family...I guess your body will let you know when it is ready :)

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E.C.

answers from New York on

Get "The Billings Method" book from amazon - it shows you how to test your signs of ovulation - you ovulate in order to have a period - so you can get pregnant before your first period returns. It is also just great to understand your own body!

1 mom found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Boston on

I breastfed both my kids; my period returned after about 16 months with the first, and after about 13 months with the second. We did IVF for both kids, and I had to stop nursing the first in order to try for the second.

If you are in no particular rush, wait a few months and see if you get your period back.

Also, if I remember correctly, Toni Weschler has a chapter in "Taking Charge of Your Fertility" about trying to conceive while BF - has a method in there aboaut tracking your cycle to see where ;you are at...

good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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