How did I get my period back while breastfeeding?

Understanding the Return of Your Period While Breastfeeding
For many new parents, the return of menstruation while breastfeeding can be a perplexing experience. After months of postpartum recovery and the joys of nurturing a newborn, the onset of a period can feel like a significant shift. But how does this happen, and what does it mean for breastfeeding?
The Hormonal Landscape
During pregnancy and the initial postpartum period, the body undergoes substantial hormonal changes. Prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, typically suppresses ovulation. This natural mechanism is often referred to as lactational amenorrhea, which can delay the return of your menstrual cycle. For many breastfeeding mothers, periods may not resume until they start weaning or significantly reduce breastfeeding frequency. However, this timeline can vary widely among individuals.
When Does It Happen?
Research indicates that most breastfeeding mothers will see their periods return between 9 to 18 months after giving birth. Factors influencing this timeline include the frequency of breastfeeding, whether the mother is exclusively breastfeeding, and individual hormonal responses. Some mothers may experience their first period sooner, even while exclusively breastfeeding, while others may find it takes longer.
The Experience of the First Period
When menstruation does return, it can come with its own set of surprises. Many mothers report that the first period after childbirth can be heavier and more painful than they remember from before pregnancy. This can be attributed to the body readjusting to its pre-pregnancy hormonal balance.
Impact on Milk Supply
A common concern among breastfeeding mothers is whether the return of their period will affect milk supply. While hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can influence breastfeeding patterns, most mothers find that their milk supply remains stable. If there are any temporary dips in supply, increasing breastfeeding frequency can help boost it back up.
Navigating the Changes
As your body transitions back to its menstrual cycle, it’s essential to stay attuned to both your needs and your baby’s. Some mothers may notice changes in their baby’s feeding behavior during their period, which can be linked to the hormonal shifts occurring in the mother.
In conclusion, getting your period back while breastfeeding is a natural part of the postpartum journey. Each mother’s experience is unique, shaped by a variety of factors including breastfeeding practices and individual hormonal responses. Embracing this change, while ensuring both your and your baby’s needs are met, can help ease the transition back to a regular menstrual cycle.

How to get your period back after stopping breastfeeding?

If you are a breastfeeding parent, your menstrual cycle will return within one to two months after you stop nursing your child or start significantly reducing the amount you nurse.

Does return of period decrease milk supply?

The two primary hormones involved are estrogen and progesterone. As menstruation approaches, these hormone levels decrease, leading to a drop in milk supply for some women. Additionally, the increase in the hormone prolactin before menstruation can cause a temporary decrease in breast milk production.

Can your period come back while pumping?

But in general, if you are lactating consistently, your period will likely not return for several months or even a year after childbirth. If you aren’t breastfeeding exclusively, you may get your period sooner. Lactation suspends your menstrual cycle by impacting postpartum hormones.

What are the odds of getting pregnant while breastfeeding?

About 2 out of 100 people who use breastfeeding as birth control get pregnant in the 6 months it can be used after a baby is born. Breastfeeding won’t prevent pregnancy if you feed your baby anything other than breast milk. So if you breastfeed but also use formula, LAM isn’t a great birth control method for you.

Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding after period returns?

Breastfeeding and Fertility
As menstruation returns to a fairly regular schedule, it usually means that you are back to full fertility and breastfeeding won’t have any effect on your ability to get pregnant. However, every woman’s fertility and ovulation cycle is different.

Why did my postpartum bleeding start again?

So, what’s makes your bleeding after birth stop and then start again? While there are a few reasons, some of the most common causes include: Experiencing extra blood flow in the morning when your first wake up. During physical activity or when exercising as part of your postpartum recovery.

When did your period return when breastfeeding?

The time it takes for a woman’s periods to return when she is breastfeeding can vary widely – from as early as 3 months after the birth to over 2 years. In Australia, the average is around 9 to 10 months.

Is it possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding?

“You can’t get pregnant if you’re breastfeeding.” Maybe you’ve heard this myth before…and we should warn you, it’s just that—a myth! The truth is you can get pregnant while you’re breastfeeding, even if your menstrual cycle hasn’t returned to normal.

Can periods start and stop while breastfeeding?

It’s normal to have inconsistent cycles when you’re nursing, and you can chalk it up to the same hormones that cause amenorrhea. Almost all breastfeeding mothers are menstruation-free for the first six months postpartum. It’s a phenomenon known as lactational amenorrhea.

What causes your period to come back while breastfeeding?

But more commonly your menstrual cycle returned because your baby already started nursing less or you started pumping less. If your supply has decreased because your baby is nursing less often, or you are pumping less often, then breastfeed or pump more times a day to increase milk production.