How common is it to get your period while breastfeeding?

Understanding Menstruation While Breastfeeding
For many new mothers, the return of menstruation during breastfeeding can be a perplexing topic. The experience varies significantly from one woman to another, influenced by factors such as breastfeeding frequency, individual hormonal changes, and overall health.
Timing of Menstruation
It is quite common for women to experience a delay in the return of their menstrual cycle while breastfeeding. Many mothers do not get their period until they begin to wean their baby off breast milk. However, some may find that their period returns just a few weeks after giving birth. This variability is largely due to the hormonal changes that occur during and after pregnancy, which can lead to irregular periods as a lingering effect of both pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Impact on Milk Supply
When menstruation does return, it can have noticeable effects on breastfeeding. Some mothers report a temporary drop in milk supply around the time of their period, particularly from mid-cycle to the onset of menstruation. This fluctuation can sometimes lead to changes in the baby’s feeding behavior; while some infants may continue to breastfeed without issue, others might become fussy or alter their feeding patterns due to changes in the milk’s taste or flow.
Pregnancy Considerations
It’s important to note that even while breastfeeding, it is possible to become pregnant. The return of menstruation can be an indicator of fertility, so mothers who wish to avoid pregnancy should consult healthcare providers about effective contraception methods suitable for breastfeeding.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding often delays the return of menstruation, the timing and experience of getting your period can vary widely among mothers. Understanding these changes can help new mothers navigate the complexities of postpartum life, ensuring both their health and that of their baby are prioritized.

What does a period look like when breastfeeding?

While it may not be as regular and consistent as your pre-baby periods, menstruating while breastfeeding will be similar in other regards. Whether or not your cycle was inconsistent before your baby, your period while you’re breastfeeding could be longer, shorter, or even missing in action for several months at a time.

Can a breastfeeding mother miss her period without being pregnant?

Breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can suppress your period, depending on how frequently you are nursing. You may get a period while breastfeeding, and then not have another one for several months or more, particularly if your baby is nursing exclusively.

Why did I get my period if I’m breastfeeding?

If you have lower levels of progesterone, you’re likely to get your periods back earlier than people with higher levels (Ingram et al 2004). So it’s possible that you could be breastfeeding around the clock, but still become fertile and start your periods again.

Is it normal to have a random period while breastfeeding?

The hormone prolactin, which stimulates milk production, often delays the return of regular ovulation and menstruation, making irregular periods even more common among breastfeeding women.

Does getting your period mean your milk is drying up?

Menstruation can sometimes decrease milk production
The increase in these hormones can cause a decrease in milk production for some women. However, for most women, the increase in these hormones is not high enough to affect milk production. Most mothers do not notice any impact of menstruation on their milk production.

When does milk supply decrease?

Breast milk supply is maintained by frequent nursing. Some moms experience a sudden drop in supply when they return to work or if they’re away from their baby for other reasons. Not pumping often enough. If your pumping frequency doesn’t match your little one’s demand, you might see your supply dropping.

What are the signs of pregnancy while breastfeeding?

In the early stage or first trimester of your pregnancy, you may have nipple tenderness and breast soreness. You may have a decreased food and water intake due to morning sickness and feel tired. Such physical discomfort may increase while breastfeeding.

Why do I only bleed when I breastfeed?

Breastfeeding releases oxytocin, which causes more cramping. While this ultimately leads to less bleeding, you may notice more cramping or bleeding while you breastfeed or just after. Breastfeeding can also cause a delay of your first period after giving birth.

When will your period return when breastfeeding?

364-366), almost everyone who is fully breastfeeding their babies will be free of menstrual periods for 3 – 6 months or longer.

Can you be around a newborn on your period?

Since mom herself will be back on her period soon, there’s no valid, medically-proven reason that someone’s menstrual cycle would cause any harm to a newborn.