How soon after breastfeeding will I get my period?

Understanding the Return of Your Period After Breastfeeding
The journey of motherhood is filled with numerous changes, and one of the most significant is the return of your menstrual cycle after giving birth. For breastfeeding mothers, this can be particularly variable and influenced by several factors.
Timing of Your First Period
For many women, the first menstrual period after childbirth can take anywhere from six weeks to several months to return. If you are exclusively breastfeeding, it is common for your period to be delayed even longer. Research indicates that most breastfeeding mothers will see their menstrual cycles resume between 9 and 18 months postpartum. In fact, only about 20% of breastfeeding parents will experience their first period within the first six months after giving birth.
Factors Influencing Menstrual Return
The primary factor affecting when your period will return is whether you are breastfeeding exclusively or supplementing with formula. If you are combining breastfeeding with bottle feeding, your period may return as soon as 5 to 6 weeks after delivery. Conversely, exclusive breastfeeding tends to suppress ovulation due to hormonal changes, which can delay the return of menstruation.
Weaning and Menstrual Cycle Resumption
Interestingly, the act of weaning your baby can significantly influence the timing of your menstrual cycle’s return. Many women find that their periods start to resume shortly after they begin to reduce breastfeeding frequency or stop altogether. This is because the hormonal environment that breastfeeding creates is conducive to delaying ovulation and menstruation.
Individual Variability
It’s essential to remember that every woman’s body is different. While some may find their cycles returning quickly, others may experience a longer wait. Factors such as individual hormonal balance, overall health, and breastfeeding patterns all play a role in this process.
In summary, if you are breastfeeding, you can expect your period to return anywhere from 6 weeks to 18 months after giving birth, with many women experiencing a longer delay if they are exclusively nursing. Understanding these timelines can help you navigate this new phase of motherhood with greater ease and awareness.

How soon after birth do you get your period while breastfeeding?

You are more likely to ovulate and resume regular periods if your baby is going for more than a few hours without breastfeeding (for instance, at night) and your baby is more than 6 months old. Most breastfeeding mothers will resume their periods between 9 and 18 months after their baby’s birth.

What is your first period like after breastfeeding?

You may enjoy easier periods due to physical changes in the uterus and cervix, although some folks experience stronger cramps. Here’s another surprise: After your first post-baby period, the next may show up early…or quite late. It can take a few months for your cycle to become regular again.

Why did I start my period if I’m exclusively 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.

How quickly can a woman get pregnant after giving birth?

You can get pregnant 3 weeks after the birth of a baby, including if you’re breastfeeding and your periods haven’t started again. You need to use contraception every time you have sex after giving birth unless you want to get pregnant again. Your midwife will discuss contraception with you after your baby is born.

How fertile are you after having a baby?

You can get pregnant 3 weeks after the birth of a baby, including if you’re breastfeeding and your periods haven’t started again. You need to use contraception every time you have sex after giving birth unless you want to get pregnant again. Your midwife will discuss contraception with you after your baby is born.

Is it normal to not get your period back after breastfeeding?

After having a baby, your periods will return at your body’s own pace. If you are breastfeeding your baby, your periods may not return for months or even years after childbirth. If your baby is being fed using formula, you may find your periods return shortly after childbirth.

Does breastfeeding delay your period?

New or first-time mothers have many questions about their bodies. One is whether they will have their period while breastfeeding. If you choose to breastfeed your child, it can delay your period after birth. However, this is not always the case, as some mothers may have irregular periods.

What is first period like while breastfeeding?

Your periods may be irregular, especially if you are still breastfeeding sometimes. At first, you may have some more clotting in your periods than before. Experts recommend seeking medical advice if you have blood clots in your period for at least a week. Some people find their periods get easier after pregnancy.

How soon after breastfeeding does period return?

If you choose to breastfeed exclusively, your first period may not return for several months. For those who keep breastfeeding, it might not return for 1 to 2 years. There is no way to know if your periods will return the same way they were before you were pregnant.

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.