Breastfeeding 9 Month Old and Just Got My Period

Hi Just relax. My period came back just after my post-pregnancy bleeding finished. I literally mean the next month. I didnt have any trouble breastfeeding my beautiful daughter who by the way is now a healthy, active, vibrant 4 yr old.

That is totally normal. I got my first period after my son was born when he was about 10 months old. I proceeded to breast feed him till he was 19 months old without any problems. Keep up the good work.

Hi There..I got my period when my son was 6 months old, around the time he started to eat baby food, and continued to breastfeed until he was 13 months old. I am assuming that your daughter is also eating more "solid" food now, along with breast feeding? What I learned when I was going through this is that since the baby is starting to eat solids and taking less breast milk, your body is automatically adjusting to the demand. I wouldn't get freaked out, I would just continue to enjoy nursing for as long as the two of you are comfortable. Enjoy your little one!! :-)

RELAX!!! It is normal and it is one of the old wives tales that say you won't get your period when you are nursing. You will AND you can also for sure get pregnant while nursing!!!!! It is your hormones returning to normal and NO you will not dry up. As long as you keep nursing you will keep producing. I nursed my 1st daughter 14 months and had my period every month from when she was 10 months old. My second daughter hung on even longer to nursing (18 months)and I was pregnant before she was a year old again. So relax, and enjoy that baby! A.

It's totally normal and won't stop your milk. Mine came back when my daughter was 6 months. I got pregnant again - on purpose! - when she was 10 months while still breastfeeding and then my milk did dry up quite a bit because my energy was going to the pregnancy, but I was able to continue BF her until she was 13 months. With my son my period came back when he was 10 1/2 months. It's normal, don't worry, but use birth control!!

Consider yourself lucky to have had nine months without your period. I know many women (myself included) that got it back much sooner! It is totally normal so don't worry!

Relax. I got my period 6 weeks after I had my daughter. I was so bummed. I was really looking forward to the year off. But I was regular to the day. I breast fed her for 18 months with no problem. And, 6 weeks after I had my son... it was back again. You can call your ob/gyn but more likely than not... you're body is ready for round 2! Good luck! And Congrats!

Your DD is 9 months, so I'm guessing you've probably started her on solids. If so, then you're no longer exclusively breastfeeding her, so your menses have started. There's really no reason to be concerned; even if you are still ebf-ing your DD, every woman is different and starts menses (or not) at different times while breastfeeding. I ebf my 4 mo DD, and I've gotten menses every 2 weeks, which is MUCH more frequently than when I'm not bf-ing. Some women don't get menses at all while bf-ing, but a friend of mine not only had normal menses, but got pregnant with her 2nd when her 1st baby was only 2.5 months old. If you're still really concerned, talk to you OB-GYN, but it sounds like you're well within normal parameters. :o)

Don't worry. This is not at all uncommon... you (like I was)are just unlucky. It is still possible to have your period and to nurse. The only thing to note is that sometimes babies will eat less around the time of your period - milk tastes a little bitter. Otherwise, all normal. You don't have to call your OB unless you think you might be pregnant again. Remember--even if you don't have your period, still possible to get pregnant!

I got mine right away with my two oldest children and with my daughters I got it when they were 6 months. It did not effect my milk supply. The only issue I ever head was that while I was breastfeeding the cramps were worse. (But not too bad). Don't worry about it. It is a normal thing. I highly recommend the book "The Womenly Art of Breastfeeding". It was written by the le leche league.. It has tons of great information in it. also there seem to be alot of comments on here about using another form of birth control now. You should be using birth control even when you haven't had your period yet after child birth while you are breastfeeding. You can still get pregnant even if you haven't started menstrating yet. Unless you want two babies back to back. My cousin was breastfeeding and had not had her period yet and got pregnant 2 months after her DD was born. 9 months later she had an 11 month old baby and a newborn at home with her.

Hi B.,

First of all, I think what's going on for you is totally normal -- but if it would make you feel more comfortable, by all means call your ob/gyn.

"Normal" is such a misleading word, because "normal" is different for each individual woman. I am exclusively breastfeeding my daughter (who will be 7 months old this week) and have been since she was born -- she doesn't even take a pacifier and has only had a bottle a handful of times. However, I got my period when she was EIGHT WEEKS OLD. *sigh* At first of course I thought something was wrong with me and I panicked, but I went to the ob/gyn and of course nothing was wrong. I told her I was exclusively breastfeeding and didn't think my period was supposed to return until I started nursing less, but my doctor told me that isn't true across the board. Some women's bodies just get right back into the cycle of fertility (again, *sigh*, lucky me...). Just be sure now that you've gotten your period to have a contraception plan, if you aren't ready to conceive #2... :)

HTH!

Hi B., your milk should be fine, I got my period about the same time and was still able to breastfeed.When the mentsraul cycle gets back to normal functioning is different for everyone. Some expereience a period right away even with nursing, others go a few months without it even after stopping. I wouldn't worry too much u less there are other health issues you may be concerned about. Congrats on the baby. ~E.

If you are on the pill and breastfeed then you are not supposed to get your period but if you are not on bcp's then you are fine. I never had a period until now since i have had all of my children and i breastfed my oldest till he was 2 (7 now) my middle till he was 8 months (now 4) and my youngest still (she will be 2 on saturday)i'm weaning her off cold turkey and it's like she is going through withdrawal! Good luck!

Congratulations! It just means that your body has enough nourishment to spare. A good sign. It won't affect the nursing.

B.;

STOP FREAKING OUT YOU ARE FINE. it is often, but not at all always true that breastfeeding will keep away menstruation. in many cases moms will not get thier period for up to 6 months, and some times longer; you however are actually lucky on the scale from one to ten that i have heard of. i know full time breastfeeders, in other words no formula ever, who got thier period back after 2 months, others who didn't get it for a year.

i exclusively breastfed my son, nearly 3 now, till he was 5 months, and then he started eating a little solid food but never had formula ever; i got my period at 4 month. i kept nursing him right through my pregnancy w my daughter, and am still nursing them both, and i got my period back when she was 5 months; she's now 15 months.

as long as it's a normal period you are perfectly fine. do not worry. if anything, your "grace period" ha ha, is now over.

good luck and keep nursing!
J.

Hi B.,
Most women get there period sometime after the six month post partem point, even if they continue to BF. I am currently nursing my 11 month old, and have nursed through my period. It did not noticably affect my milk supply or the taste or anything. It didn't seem to affect my duaghter or my milk at all. You don't need to worry, you can continue nursing for as long as you want, some women even nurse though subsiquent pregnancies and even a todler and an infant in tandem!

Best of Luck and Congratulations for nursing your daughter long term, you are really doing all you can to give her the very best start in life and you won't regret it!

I got my period 7 weeks after my son was born!! I was a little freaked at first too, but the nursing went on as normal. I noticed a little decrease in my milk when I would try to pump, but my son was still getting enough to eat. So, don't worry, your nursing will be fine but remember to use birth control!!!

No, your milk will not stop. I got my period after 3 months of exclusive breastfeeding & nursed my daughter for a year. What will happen is - after a few more cycles (which probably won't be regular - many women experience 45 day cylces for awhile), your milk will slow down a few days before your period and during the week of your period and then come back full strength. I was able to offset the slow down a little bit with eating oatmeal (a natural milk enhancer) as well as taking calcium supplements. I read tha the level of calcium in your blood has something to do with milk production. It may have been just psychological - but I swear it worked! Good luck.

Hey there! Just thought I would tell you not to worry, it is completely normal...some women get it, some don't. I have a 4 month old and an almost 5 year old. With both of them I had the normal 4 weeks of post partum bleeding, and then a month later my period returned. I still breastfed the first for 6 months, and I am planning to keep breastfeeding this one till at least then.
This is also a perfect opportunity to remind you that breastfeeding is NOT a reliable form of birth control. I just went and got an IUD put in (during my second period since she was born.)
Good luck!

I breastfed my son exclusively and got my period at nine months too. I went on to breastfeed for 2 1/2 years. Once your child starts taking solids, it is common to get your period because the feedings decrease. Don't worry!

I went about 8 months breastfeeding without my period (both times) and considered myself lucky. I nursed well over a year with both kids. Don't worry, it won't affect your milk supply.

Hi B.,

I am breastfeeding my son as well and I got my period when he was 9 months old. He is now 13 months old. Unfortunately, I heard this happens once your baby no longer nurses through the night. Although I was bummed that I got my period, I had also heard that I would not get my period if I nursed, I've had no problems. Of course, if your are concerned definately call your OB/GYN.

M.

Don't worry, everything is fine. Your milk won't stop as long as you keep breastfeeding as you have been. I'm breastfeeding my 10 1/2 month old and recently got my period too, no issues with milk supply. Because newborns breastfeed so often, that keeps most of us from getting our periods. At 9 months though, your baby is probably eating solids so you are probably breastfeeding less often - this is why you got your period back. It's normal and hey, now you know you are fertile if you want to conceive again. I even know moms who breastfed while pregnant with their next baby. Enjoy your daughter and don't stress!

Hi B.,

Don't worry! When I was breastfeeding, my period came back after my boys were eating some foods and cereal and not just nursing. I didn't run out of milk though. I breastfed twins for 2 years, and a single for almost the same. Just keep drinking plenty of water!

I got my period both times after delivering my two boys exactly 6 weeks after giving birth and nursed them for 18 months.

You'll be fine. It is an old wives tale that you won't get your period or you can't get pregnant while nursing. You will and you can.

Good luck.

Calm down and don't worry. Some women don't get their periods while they are nursing and others do. It doesn't necessarily mean that you are going to loose your milk. After I had my daughter I didn't get my period for a while but about six months later it did start again and I still nursed my daughter until she was 18 months old. Everyone's body is different so it is normal for some women to not get their periods and also normal for some women to get them. Many women assume that they won't and relie on nursing as a form of birth control, which can but may not work for this reason. If you notice a change in your milk production then you could consult your doctor to see what is going on but otherwise don't worry about it.

Good luck with your little one!
C.

it looks like you've already got alot of responses and information... i just wanted to say that all women are different... i got AF back VERY QUICKLY with dd#1 (i think about 2 months post partum). there was NO obvious slow in nursing at all... she nursed successfully until 2 years old.

if you have any other questions or concerns about nursing www.kellymom.com has lots of great articles and advice/facts. (of course, posting on here you'll get support too!)

HTH

Hi,

My period came back full force when my son was 3 months old and I was exclusively breastfeeding. My supply wasn't affected at all and I continued to exclusively breastfeed until he was a year and after that still successfully breastfed on demand until he was 14 months old and he decided to wean himself.

So after all my blabbing, I guess what I am saying is that I wouldn't worry. I guess some of us just aren't lucky enough to have a long hiatus from our period even if we do exclusively breastfeed.

First settle down! After my firstborn I got my period a month after and nursed him until he was a year old because was allergic to dairy. So don't worry about your milk drying up. If you drink plenty of water and keep nursing your milk will be fine! But you definitely can get pregnant again so be careful about that! LOL! God bless and good luck!

I exclusively breastfed (nursing and pumping) my twin boys until they were 10 months old and then continued to supplement with formula until 13 months when they started whole milk and even then I gave them a little in addition to the milk. My period started when they were 5 month old and it surprised me a lot too! But it did not affect my supply at all. Just remember you can get pregnant and use precautions!! Good luck! :-)

I think everybody is different. My oldest, I nursed for 14 months and got my period again when he was about 4 months. My second child I nursed for 23 months and got my period when he was 6 weeks old. I am on my 3rd boy, once again nursing. He is 3 & 1/2 months and wouldn't be surprised to get my period any time now. Don't worry about it. It is no fun, but that is just how your body works.

Totally normal, no need to call anyone! Your baby is eating table food, becoming less dependent on you. Your milk will not stop, it will stay as long as you keep nursing. I got my period between 8-12 months after each of my children, and nursed all three to between 19-22 months. No worries!

It's normal to get your period while breastfeeding- some women get it after 2 months, 6 months, 9 months. Your milk supply will be fine - I nursed my son for a year and got my period when he was 9 months old as well. You're baby is probably eating baby food, so less demand on the breast signals your body to begin menstruation again.

mine came back at 9 months as well. dont worry. you're probably not nursing as much anymore? i only nurse two times a day now max so its ok. keep up the good work! I plan on nursing till my son is 1 year then weaning him. i think its going to be harder for me than him! good luck and take care. D.

B.,

Don't worry you should be able to continue. It happened to me around 6 months and I did notice that my milk supply decreased slightly, but I just pumped more (I was already back to work) and my period stopped again and then came back once I stopped all together. So again, don't worry, you'll be fine. Just keep drinking lots of fluids and nurse/pump a little more frequently over the next 3 to 4 weeks. Good luck and congrats on nursing this long. You are doing great!!!!

I just wanted to thank you for asking this. I myself was wondering how long it would take and what it meant, etc. I just read through your advice and it has really helped me!

Hi,
I have 3 children and nursed them all I have had a period every month since they were 6 weeks old. It has never interfered with my nursing. Everybody is different and i wouldnt freak out over it.
Sherri

hate to tell you but its totally normal. and that whole not getting your period while nursing is a total and complete old wives tale. Your lucky you got this long with out it. As soon as my six weeks were up, I got my period. And I was exclusively nursing. There were no bottles. so I guess it all depends on your body. I wouldn't stress though. you should be fine. i would only call the OB if you get extremely heavy.

I too got my period while still breastfeeding, when my daughter was 7 months old. My milk supply generally went down right before my period but adjusted quickly. I first got it when my daughter started eating more solids and didn't need as much milk. Be careful because I got pregnant just after. This is a very fertile time for many people. I continued to breastfeed for 6 months after and my supply gradually went down, but so did her need for milk. I was lucky and some women do lose supply more quickly, but it is supply and demand the more you nurse the more your body should make.
Good luck!

You can get your period anytime - so don't worry. Keep breastfeeding -- and your milk wont dry up. It's just a bummer for you!!

I nursed all 3 of mine exclusively and I got my period at 3 different times -- one starting at 9 months.

Don't worry, it doesn't mean that you milk will dry up. I had my period the entire time I breast feed my now 20 month old daughter. However you can get pregnant while breast feeding. I don't recomend using hormonal birth control if you plan to continue to breast feed. I went on the Depo shot 2 months after having my daughter and it dried me up. All hormonal birth controls run this risk, as well as other risks. Such as being escreted in the milk. Use condoms that have spermiced. I was lucky enough to have ecpressed enough milk ahead of time to continue giving her my milk for several more months after having dried up. ( I was a heavy producer :). ) I hope this helps alieveate some of your concerns.
D. Morseman

I breastfed all four of my kids until they were at least a year and I got my period at around 4 months each time. Some people do and some don't. Increase fluids at that time of the month and be very careful....now you know you can get pregnant again!

Hi B.,

The book "Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing" by Sheila Kippley is an excellent resource to understand the impact of breastfeeding on your fertility (or lack of fertility). When your cycle returns has to do with several factors, including how physically close you are to your baby (for instance, women in an African city were studied as were their counterparts in the country, and those in the city in general used more baby carrying devices like mechanical swings whereas those in the country wore their babies in slings on their body. More "modern" city dwellers who breastfed for the same length of time as their country counterparts had a 75% quicker return of their cycle), how much nipple stimulation your baby needs (babies given a pacifier stimulate moms less, for instance), how well rested you are (women who take naps with their babies regularly average a greater delay in return to fertility), and a couple other factors. Genes play a role too, as some people just have a more estrogen dominant physiology. "The Garden of Fertility" by Katie Singer or especially her workbook "Honoring Our Cycles" can help you figure out where you are in your cycle and if you are fertile while you continue to nurse. Take good care of yourself!

I got mine at seven months while still breastfeeding. Nothing to worry about.

I got my period at 2 months with my daughter and 7 months with my son. I pumped and used bottles with my daughter and I know that effected it, and reduced my production with my period, but it would come back a few days later. I didn't use bottles with my son at all and didn't have any trouble keeping up my milk. I suggest you continue to nurse often, drink lots of water and eat right. And don't count on breastfeeding as birth control. Good luck.

It ok- one can get your period and even get preg with or with out your period during breastfeeding. At 9 mons I assumer shes strarted some solid foods so she isn't necessarily eatting from you as much and our bodies change. Take a deep breath and look back enjoying the last few months with out your period.

You are fine. Just use birth control unless you are ready for another baby already!! I got my period at 6 months with each of my 2 kids and nursed with an overabundance of milk for a year each.

My period returned after nursing for 10 months. My sister-in-law got her period back two months after delivering my niece and she nursed until her daughter was 18 months old. It's totally normal. Rest your fears.

Calm down. This is TOTALLY normal. You are not going to lose your milk supply or have to stop nursing. And just so you know, use another form of birth control because you can also get pregnant while your breastfeeding. But with both my kids I got my first period about 6 mos after they were born and I was breastfeeding. There is nothing wrong with you. Just continue to nurse her like you have for the last 9 mos.

I think that's pretty normal. My big sis got her period when BF and her little girl was 7-8 months.

I got my period after 3 months and successfully continued to breastfeed. It had no effect on my milk supply. The only danger is that now you are fertile again.

No this it completely normal, and why your OB/GYN should have asked you what you were doing about birth control after your child was born as yes it is possible to get pregnant when breast feeding.

Don't worry you will not stop producing milk until you stop nursing your baby.
Good Luck

Be happy you went 9 months! I usually went 5-6 months. Yes it is normal. Just relax about it. No need to freak out. You are fine.

A.

Lucky duck! With both my girls I got my period by the time they were 2 months old.

It is totally normal to have your period. You may find that your supply drops a wee bit when PMS-ing, but it comes back up within a day or so of getting your period. Just drink extra fluids.

You'll be fine. :-)

That's pretty normal. You're lucky that you didn't get pregnant! Because I did! 5 month after the birth of your baby, your body started to get ready to get pregnant again. So when that happens, you can get pregnant even before your period. You don't need to go to see your doctor but I think you have to plan some contraseption if you don't want to have another baby within a year.

I started getting my period again when my baby was nine months. (I nursed her until 13 months.) I think it had to do with stress and the fact that she was eating more food, so she was needing less milk. I know some moms do have their cycles even while they are nursing from the start. If you are concerned it is a good idea to talk to a laction consultant.

Hi B.,

Nothing to freak out over and nothing to call the doctor about. This is totally normal, and a common age for exclusively breastfeeding moms to get a period. If you were told by someone that you would not get a period the entire time you were breastfeeding, you were given wrong information. You typically won't ovulate if you are breastfeeding exclusively around the clock, but once you introduce solids, supplement with formula, your baby sleeps through the night, etc., it's typical for your period to come back. You don't stop getting your period for as long as you breastfeed when you do so for an extended period of time. Some women notice a decrease in milk with their period - often just before their period. Your milk doesn't disappear, but you may find that your baby nurses more often than she used to, or that you're not getting the pumping volume you did, but your supply often goes back up once your period ends.

not only can you get your period, you can get pregnant again - so don't listen to old wives tales! Lucky you, you went 9 months without it :)

Don't freak out!!! I breastfed my daughter for 5 months and got my period regularly...it started exactly 4 weeks after the postpartum bleeding ended and I got it every four weeks after that. It did not affect my milk supply at all. It is not true that you won't get your period while breastfeeding, although it is true that it may be a little irregular, which is why they say breastfeeding is not a reliable form of birth control!!! I have two girlfriends that have second children within a year of their first because they believed they would not be ovulating and therefore could not get pregnant while breastfeeding!

Are you KIDDIN me???? I got my first period when my baby was a month old. I breastfed him just fine. Don't panic! It won't stop as long as you breast feed her. If you quit, it will dry out.

Don't freak! You don't get your period while you're breastfeeding EXCLUSIVELY. Since your baby is 9 months old, I'm assuming she started solids a few months ago and is probably drinking less milk. That decrease in demand is what makes you get your period again. I got mine 2 months after my oldest son started solids, and with my 8 month old son I got it a week after he started. You might notice a slight decrease in your supply when you have your period, but it's temporary. Hope this helps.

Not to worry. I got my period back after 4 months and was breast feeding round the clock. Your milk supply won't stop--although continue to drink lots of liquids. Now you know to be careful though so as not to get pregnant again so soon like I did! :) I continued to breastfeed my baby till she was 13 mos old.

Your friend,

H.

It's totally normal. I also got pregnant while I was breasfeeding with each of my last two children.

don't worry, your breastmilk will not stop. Breastfeeding can slow down periods, but not stop them. You should not assume that just because you are breastfeeding that you will not get pregnant. I know a few women how had the second early becuase they thought that and they never had a period.

Call me crazy, but I don't think getting your period has anything to do with being able to breast feed. You should be OK.

Don't worry! You're fine! No, your milk won't stop, it will continue on as long as your baby keeps nursing. Women get their periods back at different times throughout nursing. Some get it sooner than others because they've cut back on night nursings. Some get it after 6 weeks without any rhyme or reason. It may also not be regular for a while - so don't be surprised if you're not automatically back on schedule with it. In all the randomness of it, you are perfectly NORMAL!

Don't worry about it! It is totally normal for your period to return. (Especially since your baby is probably eating some solid foods too, at this point. It will not impact your milk supply or anything like that. Just know that, of course, you can get pregnant. (Also, don't freak out if it's not totally regular at first!)

No need to freak out. Your milk will stay. You can absolutely get your period while nursing. I have a friend who was exclusively nursing her three month old and got pregnant. Though this is rare, it can happen. As far as nursing, getting your period will not affect your ability to nurse. You keep putting her to your breast and the milk will come. Nature is amazing that way.You should however, make sure that if you do not want to get pregnant you use protection of some kind. There is even a mini-pill (with a lower hormone level) you can take while nursing. You should contact your OB/GYN if this interests you.

I got my period when my boys were 4 months old and I was nursing full time. I continued nursing after that, I did notice that while having my period they did want to nurse more often, but went back to "normal" when it was over.
I hope this helps.

my daughter is only 4 months and i havent gotten mine yet but i have read lots of women getting them while nursing. even the introduction of solids, pacifiers, or just your own body can kickstart it. the only concern would be around the time of the month, your milk supply might lessen a tiny bit, so alot of moms recommend fenguneek(not sure of the spelling). you will be fine:)
on a side note, watch out. i knew a woman who was using breastfeeding as birth control thinking she couldnt get pregnant. well it turned out she got pregnant but didnt know until 5 months since she wasnt expecting her period. she had no pregnancy symptoms(i assume until she felt the baby kick?) and didnt show at all with either pregnancy.

That is true only while you are exclusively breastfeeding. Now that your daughter is older and is presumably eating solid foods, you are breastfeeding less, so your period is going to come back. This does not mean that you won't have enough milk. You don't have to freak out about it. It's no big deal.

Don't stress, it happens. I got mine while I was breastfeeding my son. It was inconsistent after that so don't think you are going to have it every month now. Also, it shouldn't interfere at all with your milk supply. Just know that you can get pregnant again now!!

Hi B.,
No worries...I got mine last July and am still nursing my 2+ year old son.

All the best,
S.

Not to worry - I was only 3 months into it and I got my period. It didn't slow my flow at all.