Post Nursing Question

Hi,

My cycle began again within a month after I finished nursing all three of my boys. Hope this helps!

D.

Mary,

your cycle didn't change, just the menstruation. As your hormones shift you should begin to menstruate again. You may notice only spotting or light cycle at first but normally by the second cycle you are back to normal. Some women have spotting or break thru menstruation periodically while breastfeeding helping them to keep up with normal dates and cycles, but other lucky ones (like you) never do until they stop. It is why women get pregnant during breastfeeding because is is easy to lose track of those optimal days.
Sincerely,
K. Willis RN
The Nesting Place

I have to say you're so lucky. I nursed until 12 months (to the day when he weaned himself), and I think my first period came when he was about 5 or 6 months old!! I thought that was one of the perks, too. Sorry I couldn't be of help, but I just wanted to share that with you.

I do think it depends a little on how much milk you were letting out (for lack of better words). Mine immediately came when he wasn't nursing so much, and I was no longer at work pumping because it was in the summer, and I'm a teacher.

I am still nursing my 15 month old and mine returned last month. I was so upset, I totally didn't miss it. I have heard of nursing mama's getting back early on or never at all until they quit nursing. I think it just depends on everyone's body. Hope this helps.

M.

That's something that varies per individual and depends upon how quickly your hormones normalize after breastfeeding. I breastfed both my sons until they were over 2, but my cycle returned when they were both 18 months old. However, I know of women who also nursed extensively and theirs returned when the babies were 9 months old. One word of caution is that you can ovulate before your cycle returns, so if you were counting on breastfeeding as a form of birth control, you absolutely should no longer due so.

Hi M.,

I nursed my son exclusively for about 14 months. My cycle never did come back on its own - I had to go into my doctor and they gave me a shot and some prescription to take (sorry it's been 3 yrs. so I don't remember the name). I was not wanting to get pregngnat again, but to make sure I did not go through early menopause or have something else wrong, they gave me the medication -

But if you just quit, I wouldn't expect anything for at least a month. I didn't want my cycle back - this was not anything I pushed for!

Hope this helps some!

C. Brady

Hi M.,

I nursed my 3 boys each 9 months, and every time my menstruation came in the week I stopped.

My friends menstruation started 3 months after she gave birth, she has 3 kids and was also exclusively nursing.

Hope this helps,

I.