BF & return of AF....

fearlessbirth · 09-12-2006, 08:50 AM

So, my friend/1st client has been exclusively breastfeeding for 6 months until this week. She's been introducing solids to her little one and estimates that MAYBE one full bf has been eliminated. 3 days after Maya's first bite of food, my friend got her period! Can that small of a change in bf bring on AF? Or is it merely a coinky-dink that these things happened at the same time?

~Tranquility~Doula · 09-12-2006, 09:02 AM

Has there also been any changes in Maya's sleeping pattern? Is she sleeping for longer periods at night?

fearlessbirth · 09-12-2006, 09:16 AM

I don't think so...I'll have to ask but she hasn't mentioned anything.

syncreo · 09-12-2006, 12:36 PM

Hi,
I would have to say it is a "coinky-dink"

Just like any other woman, a breastfeeding woman will usually ovulate prior to getting her period (I say usually b/c we all know that some women get a period without ovulating). To have gotten her period she would have ovulated a couple of weeks earlier than Maya's first bite of food.

Some women will have their menstrual cycles return within a couple of months of giving birth, despite exclusive breastfeeding. Don't know why! That is why having the birth control talk with women is so important - unless they would like back to back children

I have children who are 19mos. apart - I was breastfeeding, knew I could get pg but let the mood get the better of me

That was it - beautiful Meredith was born 10mos later. I feel lucky now, but a bit overwhelmed when I first found out.

Anyways, got off topic. Sorry.

Cheers, Shawna

fearlessbirth · 09-12-2006, 12:43 PM

Wow...you are absolutely right!

DUH! I hadn't even thought about the fact that she would have had to ovulate (in most cases) before bleeding. Geez...how embarrassing. lol

motherstouchdoula · 09-12-2006, 12:51 PM

Then there are some of us that have only had 1 period in a year and 1 month since birth {{{ME}} {{{ME}}} {{{ME}}} LOL

syncreo · 09-12-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearlessbirth

Wow...you are absolutely right!

DUH! I hadn't even thought about the fact that she would have had to ovulate (in most cases) before bleeding. Geez...how embarrassing. lol

Don't be embarrassed! I think a lot of women forget that ovulation precedes their period - that is why all the fun surprise pregnancies

Cheers,
Shawna

Stacie · 09-13-2006, 04:44 PM

lizzyisamommy · 11-12-2006, 11:31 PM

We're still nursing of course. My DD is 12 months old and still no AF. Teehee.
With m son I got it within a month even though I was nursing him too, I think it was bc I got put on the "mini-pill".

butterfly · 11-13-2006, 01:57 AM

I think I'm one of the lucky few who doesn't get AF while BF'ing. With #1, I didn't see AF until 3 weeks after he weaned at a year old. I'm still nursing my 8 month old now...he gets solids 3x a day and sleeps through the night and AF is still nowhere in sight! I bet I won't see her at all until he weans just like last time....no complaints here!!

But it's true everyone is different. Some people get AF even when they are bf'ing exclusively, others get it once they are down to 4 feedings a day, some after the baby night weans and some don't get AF back until after they've weaned completely! You just never know and it's different after each pregnancy too.

sumama · 11-13-2006, 08:39 AM

I get it right around the two year mark (at least so far

I think it was just a coincidence that your friend got her period.

truelife · 11-13-2006, 11:37 PM

With both of my boys exclusively breastfeeding AF returned 6 weeks PP. However, I know of two different women who got AF back within 1 week of pumping more than one feeding (workshop) or starting solids. I don't know how/why or if theirs was just coincidence too....

teachinmamaof4 · 11-14-2006, 12:48 AM

Quote:

With both of my boys exclusively breastfeeding AF returned 6 weeks PP.

I always get so excited when I see I'm not the only one!

It sucks doesn't it!!!

Quote:

I think a lot of women forget that ovulation precedes their period

What about women with annovulatory cycles.....

erad76 · 11-15-2006, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teachinmamaof4

What about women with annovulatory cycles.....

without daily temperature taking or the use of a clearblue fertility monitor, it is pretty much impossible to tell if ovulation has taken place. of course neither of those will give you enought warning if you aretrying to postpone another pregnancy.
women often have other signs of returning fertility, but most women do not track these signs to know when ovulation is immenent.

b'earth angel · 12-12-2006, 11:00 PM

I know that we are all different but here's a few more thoughts to ponder. I exclusively bf and didn't get AF back at all. my fist ovulation was the ticket for me and my ds was born 9 mos. later. So I am one of the 'lucky' ones to say I haven't had AF visit for more than 4 years. But I know that my time is short...
I usually get the indication that ovulation is occurring/coming. #1 increased libido and #2 mittleshmerz, ovulation pain/discomfort.
Wouldn't it be nice if she would at least call before she stopped in for a visit??