Conception While Still Breastfeeding (No Menstrual Cycle)

It's definitely possible to "catch the first egg" and get pregnant before you get your first post partum period. But it is also common to not be able to get pregnant right away, even if you ovulate.
One study showed that the average return of menses for breastfeeding mothers was around 14 months, and I would say that, at 8 months post partum, you are definitely on the early side of things. Some women can't seem to get pregnant when breastfeeding at all, but I think most can. It just may take longer than you want to wait.

After my first baby, I cut way back on nursing and got my cycles back when he was about 12 months old. It took a couple of cycles for things to get back to normal enough for me to get pregnant, and then I was able to keep nursing my first baby at least a little until he was 18 months old.
I'm currently nursing a nearly 13 month old and hoping for my cycles to return. I stopped nursing him at night and am trying to cut down on daytime feedings. He's past the year mark, so that "should" make decisions easier, but it doesn't. I'm wondering if I will get my PP period or menopause first (hah, not really, but I'm not getting any younger).

It's tough to feel torn between nursing your existing baby and having the opportunity to have an as yet unknown baby. You may luck out and get pregnant soon, but if you are committed to BFing for a year, it might be best to just accept that your next pregnancy will likely be a few more months out.
Good luck!

Just to add, in light of the previous response, your body can take a while to gear up before it actually ovulates, so while fertility signs such as eggwhite CM are a good start, they don't necessarily mean your body is ovulating. (I've had such signs for over three months now and clearly haven't ovulated since I haven't gotten a period or gotten pregnant yet).

One suggestion that I wanted to add: my OB suggested that I "trick" my body into jump-starting ovulation by creating a 12-24 hour period of not nursing/pumping at all. Your body thinks that you have abruptly weaned and often will respond with the hormonal surges necessary to induce ovulation. Yes, you will get engorged and it will be uncomfortable (he originally suggested a 48 hour nursing hiatus, but that was out of the question for me b/c of the extreme discomfort). Feed your baby pumped milk in the meantime if you want.
At any rate, this worked for us... after a few 10-12 hour no-nursing stretches, I got my period. The next month, I got pregnant (with an ovulation predictor kit to help)... and this was while exclusively breastfeeding my 10 month old and with infertility issues (high FSH, age 38) to boot!
Good luck!

I got pregnant (accidentally) with my 3rd while still nursing my 2nd, and she was only 6 months old.

I liked having them close together. Since I was still in the thick of it with a 6 month old, there was no adjustment, and they were always great friends.

You can get pregnant!! This is a little personal but start paying attention to your panties and your toilet paper. You will find a clear/white glob of goop when you are ovulating. Have sex that night!! Having a period only gives you an idea when you could be ovulating but you still have to watch for the goop. I did this with my son and became pregnant on the first try.

Good Luck!

Hi P.:

Every woman is different. I have 4 children and breastfed each of them until I conceived the next child. I breastfed exclusively and my period returned around the time each child was 8 months old. I never used any form of contraception because my oldest child was conceived via IVF and I never imagined that I could conceive on my own. For me, I conceived 18-24 months after each birth.

I wish you all the best!