No Menstrual Cycle While Breastfeeding???

you can def. get pregnant while breastfeeding. It can be harder for some but it's not fool proof for birth control. As for not getting your period it's really normal. With all three of my kids my cycles didn't even show up for a long time. Then they were sporadiac for a long time. I remember most clearly with my son. He was 20 mos. old when my period first came back and it's still not regular. Your cycle doesn't return right away because it's natures way of naturally spacing kids out. It helps prevent too much damage being done to your body. The milk and a possible pregnancy at the same time would be able to be supported by your body but possible nutritional damage can be done to the mothers body if you aren't eating just right.

Enjoy the fact that you aren't bloating... etc.... a bit of a gift from mother nature... lol

I am a mom of three girls 5, 3, and 18 months. I never had a period while I was breastfeeding any of them which was until they were about 13 months but I got pregnant with #3 while I was still breastfeeding #2. I had started spotting just before I got pregnant with her but hadn't had a regular period so beware- you can still get pregnant!

I didn't get my period until my first was 10 months. No worries... Enjoy it! No tampons!
And yes you can get pregnant again! I am pregnant with my 3rd!

Hi T.,
Yes, you can still get pregnant! The delay of your monthly cycle due to nursing is normal. I have two children: A 12 year-old and a 4 yr-old. The same thing happened to me with both of my babies. I nursed both of my babies for 2 years. My monthly cycle eventually started, even though I was still nursing, around the ninth month for my 12 year-old and around the 7 month for baby number 2.
You asked "...when should I start to worry?" The answer is that you should not worry at all!. What you are going through is PERFECTLY and COMPLETELY normal, so please don't stress/worry it. Just make sure that you use birth control during sex. Honey, enjoy the delay of your period while it lasts!!!

Hi! Don't worry, I had my period at 9 months with baby #1 and 10 months with baby #2 (I was nursing as well). Just be happy you don't have to worry about it yet :) Yes, you still can get pregnant because you will ovulate before your first period and you might not know when that will be but assume it will be in the next few months. Don't worry until you stop nursing and your period has not resumed within 1 month after. Good job nursing for so long, keep up the good work!

I also breastfed my son and I didn't have my first period till after I started weaning my son at 10 months. I wouldn't worry, your cycle will resume after you stop nursing.

You can most definitely get pregnant while breastfeeding and also while on the mini-pill at the same time; it happened to one of my friends. Boy, was she surprised!

As far as the no period, I didn't start my period back up until I was done breastfeeding each of my children. With my daughter that was 14 months, with my son it was 2 years! I recognize that it's unusual to go 2 years without, even while breastfeeding, but I want you to know that it is possible.

you shouldn't start to worry. it's normal to have your cycle while nursing. i didn't get my cycle back until my son's first birthday. what a lovely time that was!! It's actually good for your body to breastfeed thus the lowered risk of breast cancer, etc. you're not only giving your baby lots of benefits with the nursing and breastmilk, but you're also giving yourself lots of benefits.

i started to learn NFP (natural family planning) while i was nursing without cycles and i was able to correctly pinpoint when i was going to have my first cycle within two days. this method isn't for everyone - it takes time and effort to learn it and is best learned with an instructor. i wouldn't suggest using it without an instructor if you're really trying to avoid anotherh pregnancy. for me it was the only option as i refuse to take any hormonal birth control.

you can learn more about nfp by checking out their website and locating a local instructor (they would probably give you a free introductory session to tell you the basics) and you can learn more about breastfeeding benefits for mom at kellymom.com

p.s. every bf'ing mom is different. some moms can exclusively nurse 24/7 and still get their cycles really fast. but the general rule of thumb is that the more you nurse on the demand, the more likely you'll suppress your cycles.

My first post partum cycle was when my daughter was 9 months old. It was nice to have a break! YES, you can get pregnant!

My twins are 7 mos 1 wk & I still have not gotten my period. YES you can get pregnant while nursing!

Yes this is common. I too have a seventeen year old boy and a one year old boy with three other children in the middle. I once went three years without a menstrual period even after going on birth control, then I got it every other month. I do not have an answer but this was my experience. YES YES YES you can get pregnant while not menstrating. ~good luck~

My daughter is 6 mos old. I stopped nursing at 5 mos and just got my period for the first time. I have been on the birth control pill they prescribe when you are nursing (often called the mini pill -- I think it only has one of the hormones normally found in the usual birth control pill -- you can ask your OB about that). My OB told me to switch to a regular birth control pill as soon as I stop nursing because it's more reliable.

N.

totally normal to not have a period while you are nursing. BUT you CAN get pregnant so if you do not want to get pregnant again so soon you need to use something. there is a minipill that is safe when you are breastfeeding which I took, but I do not know how effective it really is.

Yes, it happened to me and I would worry. The moment I stopped breastfeeding, which was about 11 months and barely a period I got pregnant. And my husband and I were dumbfounded not ready at all. Our first child was not a good eater or sleeper, so I was some what devastated.

To answer your question, yes, that did happen with me. I breast fed my son for eight months and never had a menstrual cycle until two months after I stopped (total of ten months).

However, you can never be too careful. My sister-in-law was breastfeeding and got pregnant. Their children are 17 months apart. If you do the math, she got pregnant at 8 months while breastfeeding. It does happen, so take precautions if you're not ready for another pregnancy yet.

C.

You definately CAN get pregnant while nursing. I just weaned my 11 mo. 2 weeks ago and havent had a period yet either. Im just enjoying the year and 9mo I went without.

I have three children, and with my first two I started my period when they were just four months old, even though they were breastfeeding every three hours still. But then on my third, she was about 18 months before I started again! So it's definitely possible. I was concerned too and continued to ask my dr.'s about it. Apparently, anything is normal when you're breastfeeding. You can still get pregnant though, even though it's unlikely. I took the minipill, which is safe to take while breastfeeding. Don't worry though, just enjoy it!!

Hey T.,

You can get pregnant... so take precaution if you don't want to become pregnant at this time. I nursed my son for the first year of his life (now 6) and didn't get my menstral cycle back until he was 10 months old. I was starting to worry because at first its great without a period, then it felt wierd after a while. I had no signs of PMS either but my doctor recommended condoms to prevent pregnancy. Best of luck and enjoy your baby.

I have 2 kids, and from what I've heard, most women do not menstruate while breastfeeding but YOU CAN GET PREGNANT! I know a couple of moms who got pregnant without ever having a period... they got knocked up the very first time they ovulated, several months after giving birth, and therefore had no opportunity to menstruate. There is a "mini" birth control pill you can take while breastfeeding that helps prevent unwanted pregnancy. I took it after both kids and did well. You'll most likely start to menstruate a couple of months after you finish breastfeeding. I would recommend taking the mini pill or getting an IUD (also doesn't effect breastfeeding) if you don't want to use condoms while breastfeeding. Talk to your OB about the options... unless you don't mind getting pregnant!

T. F.

I wouldn't take any chances if I were you unless you don't care if you get pregnant. They do have birth control pills for breastfeeding mothers

jbd

I breasted fed all three of my children. This is normal...my period didnt come back until 9mos with my 1st.... 7mo with my 2nd and 6 weeks with my 3rd...(darn). You can still get pregnant so watch out. Its all normal. Great job with the breast feeding.....:)

consider yourself one of the very lucky women to not menstrate while nursing. with both my girls,(one i nursed for 6months and the other 8 1/2month) i had a period every month. trust me, enjoy it while you can. once you stop nursing it still can take a few more months to have a period again. i wish i was as lucky as you, and dont worry, nothing is wrong with your body.

Hi - Yes you can still get pregnant even though you are breastfeeding. I would suggest a barrier method, maybe your partner would be willing to use condoms, if you are not interested in becoming pregnant again at this time.
GEM

I breastfed my first-born until he was 13 months old, then stopped when my midwife told me that I would need to if I felt contractions (I was four months pregnant with my second!). I became pregnant with my second when my first was nine-months old, I hadn't had a menstrual period at all in between. All-in-all, I didn't have periods for over three years (was very nice!). Soooo, to make a long story short, yes it's normal not to get your period while breastfeeding and YES you can get pregnant if you are having unprotected intercourse, my 3.5 year-old is living proof of that! If you are worried about it, simply take an at-home pregnancy test. It is never too soon, I know several families who's children are nine months apart!

Hi T.,

Although I can't say that it has anything to do with breastfeeding, but even if you're not ovulating now, you'll be fertile on your first ovulation. So if you're not using prevention, then you could still get pregnant. I hadn't had a period in six months, and was told I had little to no chance of getting pregnant, but one ovulation did the trick and now I'm 10 weeks. So if you're not looking to have another child, I would still use protection.

Good luck,
T.

it is normal to not have menstrual cycle while breast feeding. I didn't have one for over a year. I am not sure if you canstill et prognant but i wouldn't take any chances until you were sure you may want another baby.

I didn't have a period for 9 months. It was great while it lasted! Especially since when it did finally arrive, it was so heavy that it made up for the time I didn't have one. Yes, I believe that you can still get pregnant. I would use some form of protection if you aren't wanting to get pregnant again so soon.

T.,
Do not worry. I am a Mom of two little boys (almost 2 years and 4 month old) and while I was breastfeeding my first son, I was neither obvulating nor with my period. It is very usual!!! Although it does not mean that may be while breastfeeding you CAN obvulate! If you do not want to get pregnant so soon, BE CAREFUL!!!! Once you are done with breastfeeding your period will come again. If it doesn't after a month or two, then I would see a doctor!
Good luck and happy new year!

Victoria

This is normal and you won't have any (or very few) signs of pms or a period until you stop breast feeding. Enjoy it while you can!

Hi!
Just wanted to tell you it took over 12 months for me to get my period back after all 3 my boys, actually it was closer to 18 months with the 1st one. I had no signs of getting my first period though, so you can definetely get pregnant again. As a matter of fact, I became pregnant my 2nd ovulation after son #1...

When I breastfed my first son, I went 11 months without a period. With my second son, I didn't get my period until he was 14 months old. It's totally fine! But YES you can get pregnant so take precautions. :)

I breastfed my daughter until she was over 2 and did not get my period until she was about 20 months. However, it doesn't mean you can't get pregnant so you should still use contraception if you don't wish to get pregnant.

You definitely CAN get pregnant T.

My son is almost 9 months and I still haven't started my period either. I am also taking the mini pill. As far as I have heard you may not start your period until you stop breastfeeding. I'm enjoying not having a period.

T.,

I didn't have a period for 11 months after my baby was born. Whoopie! Enjoy it while it lasts. However, you can get pregnant so be careful. You will ovulate a couple of weeks before your period returns which could be any day now. Periods usually return when the frequency of nursing drops.

Congratulations on your baby and best wishes for a healthy, happy 2008!

I breastfed for one year and never had a menstrual cycle with either of my sons. J. in Sac.

My cycle returned when my daughter was 8 months.

T. don't worry the same thing happen to me and yes you are still at risk to get pregnant but you should ask your doctor to make sure. Eventually when you slow down on breast feeding you will get your menstual cycle again.

Don't worry about not having your period as long as you're breastfeeding. Do be aware that you can start ovulating again at any time and get pregnant before your period ever comes. Thats what my google search results told me.

Hi T.,
I am in the same boat as you. My daughter is 7 months old too and soon to be 8 months and I have not had a menstrual cycle yet either. Supposedly there is a possibility of being able to get pregnant because you never know when your cycle will start up again. I wouldn't worry until you stop breastfeeding. I can't believe that it has been over a year now since I have had a period!

Hope that helps knowing someone else is in the same boat!

Yes! With my two children I didn't menstruate for more than a year while breastfeeding. But watch out. You can still get pregnant (though it's not likely). Think of the lack of a period as a little break for yourself. It is possible that your period won't return even months after you stop breastfeeding, but it could also start up again while you are breastfeeding. We're all different, but this is not unusual at all.