I have been nursing my daughter exclusively for 6 months now, and I just started my first period. When I nursed my first daughter, I didn't start my period for 5 months AFTER I stopped breastfeeding. Is it normal to start so early, and will this affect my milk supply?
Glad to know I wasn't the only one. This happened to me also and I exclusively bf my baby too. It hasn't affected my milk supply either.
Absolutely. I think mine was around 5 or 6 months.
It is normal. Some of us start our periods at 2 or 3 months (like I did) and others lucky ducks don't have one for a year. You are fine, your milk supply should stay the same. The only change would be if you take the pill or something like that. But do remember to use something or you will become pregnant again. I nursed mine for 8 months exclusively and all was fine I just was unhappy that I got my period so early.
I nursed exclusively until my daughter was 6 months (and continued until she was 14 months), and I started my period when she was 3 months old. My milk supply was good enough that I easily nursed my little girl, while pumping extra for her and also for a local milk bank. That being said, I noticed that my milk supply would decrease during the first day or two of my period. I never worried about having enough for her, but I couldn't pump as much extra. When I became worried about my supply and felt it decreasing, I used the supplement Fenugreek. My lactation consultant advised me that the recommended dosage (1 or 2 a day?) wasn't really enough, and said to take 1-2 before each meal (so 2 pills 3x a day). Mother's Milk Tea also came highly recommended to me, but I hate tea.
As far as your starting being normal, my ob-gyn told me that only about 20-25% of women who nurse exclusively don't start their periods. According to him, it's normal to start at any point. My twin sister also nursed exclusively for several months, and she started when her baby was only 1 month old.
Hope that all helps!
I nursed for 8 months with my first child and had 1 period during that time at about 6 months. (I think its normal to start while breastfeeding, your cycles probably wont be normal or consistent now thought) It decreased my supply some, but I called the lactation consultants at the hospital and they suggested an herbal supplement called Fenugreek. I got it at Drug Emporium. It helped boost my supply again during that week.
I nursed exclusively with my first born and started my period after about 8 weeks. I never had any problems with the milk supply. You can get pregnant though! I got pregnant with my second when my first was 6 months old (and still nursing exclusively).
yes, it's normal and no it won't affect your supply
I exclusively nursed my first child for 10 1/2 months and started my first period about 6 weeks after giving birth. I also exclusively nursed my second child for 14 months and I started my first period about 8 weks after giving birth. I had enough milk both times to feed my child plus a couple more! It won't effect your milk supply AT ALL!
