Hi all - this is a bit of an odd question. I have been exclusively bfeeding my son since he was born. In July, I moved to solely pumping since it was less painful. For the last month, I have been gradually easing out pumping sessions (I am down to two: 20-25 minutes in the morning, and 20-25 minutes at night). So far, I still produce enough for him to meet his needs throughout the day.
I am planning on dwindling down the time spent at each pumping session within the next month, and hopefully by October 15th, be done with pumping completely. We are going on vacation (across country) shortly after that, and I would absolutely HATE to get my period while we are traveling. Do you think I should continue to pump at least one session until after my vacation? I have a manual pump I can bring with me. I also don't want to deal with all the hassles of air travel we're having these days, but I think that one pumping session would be ok for us to handle.
So basically - here are my questions -
How soon after you stopped bfeeding did you get your period?
Did you get your period if you were only nursing/pumping once a day?
Which pumping session should I keep? Morning or evening? How many minutes should I pump?
Any advice on stopping the whole breastmilk thing? I went from 4 sessions to 2 in a matter of weeks, and oddly enough, I'm making the same amount of milk at 2 sessions I did at 4! (makes me wish I had gone to two sessions a LONG TIME AGO! ha)
Ladies - thank you all SO SO SO much for your responses. I feel ready to tackle my vacation head on! :) I'll keep you updated with how it goes. Thanks again.
My son recently turned a year old/ continues to bf for naps and at night and I just got mine 1 month ago. It doesn't matter whether or not you are still bf, you can still get your period and on the other hand even if you stop bf it does not guarantee your period will return immediately. Every woman is different and it all depends on your hormonal balance :)
Hope it works out :)
A. B,
I think the answer is just different for everyone. With my oldest, as soon as I went to occasional pumping (one or 2 times a day), my period started right away and got progressively more regular as I weaned off completely. It was back to "normal" almost right away. With my youngest, I exclusively breastfed him for 9 months and never really pumped. I didn't get my period the whole time, even while weaning him off. Within weeks of being completely dried up my cycle started again. That being said, I know several women who exclusively breastfed and had periods within a couple months of childbirth. I know others who never had periods until they were completely done.
Sorry I don't have any words of wisdom on the pumping other than hurrah for you for continuing to give your child the wonderful give of breastmilk. Good luck and best wishes.
Hi,
my son is 5 months, and still no period for me. sorry I couldn't be more help!
J.
My daughter was bf for about 2 1/2 years and after I stopped I did not get my cycle for about another 6 months....3 plus years with no cycle...oh those were the good old days.
Like someone else said though it all depends on your body so no one can really tell you when it is going to start back up.
Good luck on your trip though.
M. N.
You're lucky that you haven't had your period. I exclusively bf both of my daughters and my cycle started back again within 3 months. As for how to wean your babies- its a gradual process like what you are doing. Plus when they began to eat more- you just introduce him/her to the sippy cup. They now have the soft kinds that are kind of similar to nipples on bottles. Just a little about me- my first baby weaned herself at 10 months- she just hurt my little feelings. The second who is now two- I weaned completely off on her 1st birthday. I had been introducing her to foods and the cup- so it wasn't too tramactic. Also I think I had reduced breastfeeding to maybe 1-2 times a day when she was 11 months old.
If you are on BC you might try skipping the placebo pills (the last week) and start a new pack instead. Of course, always consult your doctor before changing your medications. I don't know if this works with the mini-pill typically prescribed to nursing mothers, but it worked for me with the regular pills...I hate to get my period and had some extra samples from the dr., had read in a magazine advice column (a girl was trying to avoid having her period on her wedding week), tried it and it worked for me. Good luck!
I got my period when my son was 3 months old. I nursed exclusively until my son was 6 months old and could start solids. It was horrible. That was a small reason for why I wanted to b-feed. I have gotten used to it now, my son is 10 months old.
I exclusively nursed and pumped, and my period returned when my daughter was 8 months – while I was still nursing. At 10 months, during my period, she started to refuse the day-time feedings (I guess my flow was down) but would nurse in the am then before bed. At 11 months, during my period, she refused all together and got frozen milk until 1 year. With the less feedings and the return of my cycle, I NEVER had engorgement (this is a tip I have for nursing mothers – if your period returns while you’re nursing, wean-when you/baby are ready-during a cycle!)
So, you could start your period again before you stop nursing. Breastfeeding is NO guarantee that you won’t ovulate / have your period. Always be prepared with tampons/pads as you just never know! (one of my friends started unexpectedly and had to use a diaper!)
I was about 8 weeks with my first and 6 weeks with my second. Hope this helps!
Hi there, with my first baby i didn't start my period for almost a year AFTER I stopped breast feeding And with my second I started about five months later. Even when I did start it took a good three or four months before I was any kind of normal. good luck.
Hi, I got my period while I was still breastfeeding. My baby was 10 months old. About a month after that she pretty much weaned herself. My ob/gyn says everyone is different and that you can get your period at anytime. So I wouldn't count on breastfeeding to keep you from getting your period and ruining your vacation. Good luck and have a great vacation regardless of what happens.
Is your son ready to stop? If not I would keep it going as long as possible. Breastfeeding is great for even toddlers (as I'm sure you've heard.) I nursed my daughter until she was 8 months old and I had to stop when I went back to work because she would not take a bottle at all from my husband and it was too hard for her to switch back and forth. I am currently nursing my son who is now 9 months old and we are definately not ready to stop nursing anytime soon. I didn't get my period for about 6 months after I stopped nursing my daughter. Are you on any type of birth control? If not, talk to your OBGYN about different methods. There are options to control your period. I have an IUD and I have not gotten a period yet. I am still brestfeeding but still...I hope this helps. Good job for breastfeeding for so long and have a safe and fun trip. :)
DM Nugent wrote:
> Hello fellow Mama,
> I did not have my period for a few months after my son self-weaned @
> 20 months. It was a gradual process though. I did not set a date or
> anything. If you stopped pumping next month I doubt that menstruation
> would return so soon. Usually nipple soreness subsides after the
first
> few weeks of nursing. Then there's that wonderful stage of teething
> when you get the occassional bite while your child is testing their
> new chompers. Nipple salve eased a lot of discomfort. So, I'm sorry
> that you're having pain actually 'nursing' your baby. But I commend
> you for not giving up and pumping to give your growing child Momma's
> 'golden' milk. I must also say that my son was NEVER ill the entire
> time he was nursed.
> Keep in mind that when you cease all pumping your breasts are going
to
> ache mercilessly. Mine hurt for a week or two and I was at that point
> down to one nursing at bedtime only when my son was 20 months. I
would
> not rush the natural process. The more gradual the process the less
> difficult it will be for you and baby. I would not worry about your
> period returning for a while (that was my experience), but you may
> have very achy breasts. I hope you work it out. Goodluck and best
> wishes for a lovely trip.
> P.S. If you are going to use formula to replace your breastmilk, it's
> a good idea to begin one formula feeding a day before your trip so
> that the adjustment is not a shock to baby's belly.Studies show that
> many children are fed cow's milk way too early. I tried organic soy
> formula from the health food store, my son loved it.
> Take care,
> D.
Are you on birth control? I ask because my Dr. put me on the mini-pill while I was bf (we really only want the one angel-girl we have :). After I stopped bf'ing, he switched me to Ortho-Tricyclen. After the first month of the Ortho, I got my period right on schedule. Although, it is true that it really depends on your own body. Unless you're trying to conceive, you can try using the BC to prevent you from getting your period while you're traveling, but I guess that's not a sure bet. Ask your OB/GYN. Cheers!
I didn't really have a chance to breastfeed for long after the twins were born since I didn't produce milk due to my PCOS. But I have friends that have been exclusively BF for up to a year or longer and they cycles started anywhere from a few months to 6 months after stopping BF.
I just think it depends on your body. For me, I had post partum bleeding for a week or so after my c-section. Then I didn't get one until after my 6 week check up and I would say it was probably 3 months after, but prior to the twins, I didn't really have a cycle, so I'm not a good example. Although since the twins birth, my cycles have become more regular, about every 38-40 days, after not having one for 6 -7 months. LOL
As far as bringing stuff on the plan with you. They are allowing baby formulas and the like, but you have to have that baby with you. I would check with your airline about the manual pump and see if they allow that. If not, you can always freeze a few bags of BM and take them with you on the plane...some hospitals give those little ice packs with bottle holders, I got two of them, because of the twins. Or you can put them in your diaper bag in a ziplock bag. At least with it being frozen, maybe it will tie you over until you get to your destination.
I don't think that right after you stop BF all together, you will get your cycle, but bring some things with you just in case.
Maybe some other moms can give you more insight into that and your other questions.
Hope all goes well. Let us know how things go! Good Luck and hopefully enjoy your vacation!!! :)
Take care,
God Bless,
J. D
Pensacola, FL
Mom to Ashleigh & Austin ~ 2.5 yrs old
