How to get your period to come back while breastfeeding?

Understanding Menstruation While Breastfeeding
For many new mothers, the return of their menstrual cycle during breastfeeding can be a complex and often confusing experience. The interplay between breastfeeding and menstruation is influenced by hormonal changes, the frequency of nursing, and individual body responses.
When to Expect Your Period
Most breastfeeding mothers will find that their periods resume between 9 to 18 months after giving birth. This timeline can vary significantly based on how often and how exclusively a mother breastfeeds. For those who breastfeed full-time, it is common for menstruation to be delayed until they begin to wean their baby. In fact, many mothers may not see their periods return until they stop nursing altogether, particularly if they are breastfeeding both day and night.
If a mother is not exclusively breastfeeding—meaning she is supplementing with formula or introducing solid foods—her period may return sooner, sometimes within two weeks to 12 weeks postpartum. However, it’s important to note that the return of menstruation does not necessarily mean a return to a regular cycle immediately; fluctuations can occur as the body readjusts.
Factors Influencing the Return of Your Period
Several factors can influence when your period returns while breastfeeding:
1. Frequency of Nursing: The more frequently a mother breastfeeds, especially during the night, the longer it may take for her period to return. This is due to the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production and suppresses ovulation.
2. Weaning: Gradually reducing breastfeeding sessions, particularly night feedings, can signal the body to resume its menstrual cycle. Many mothers find that once they start weaning, their periods return relatively quickly.
3. Individual Variation: Every woman’s body is different. Some may experience a quick return of their menstrual cycle, while others may take longer, regardless of breastfeeding practices.
Tips for Encouraging Your Period to Return
If you are looking to encourage your period to come back while breastfeeding, consider the following strategies:
– Gradually Reduce Nursing Sessions: Start by cutting back on daytime feedings, and if comfortable, reduce night feedings as well. This can help lower prolactin levels, potentially allowing your menstrual cycle to resume.
– Introduce Solid Foods: If your baby is old enough, introducing solid foods can decrease the frequency of breastfeeding, which may help in the return of your period.
– Monitor Your Body: Pay attention to your body’s signals. Some women may notice changes in their milk supply or feeding patterns as their menstrual cycle approaches.
Conclusion
The return of your period while breastfeeding is a natural process influenced by various factors, including nursing frequency and individual hormonal responses. While it can be frustrating to navigate, understanding these dynamics can help you manage your expectations and make informed decisions about breastfeeding and weaning. If you have concerns or specific questions about your menstrual cycle during breastfeeding, consulting with a healthcare provider can provide personalized guidance and support.

Is it normal to stop menstruation while breastfeeding?

Most breastfeeding women find they don’t have their period for many months after the birth of their baby. This is because breastfeeding hormones can stop you from ovulating (releasing an egg) each month.

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.

How can I get my period immediately while breastfeeding?

It’s not unusual to skip a period, or even for it to be a few months before your next one. When you start reducing the amount of time you spend breastfeeding, your periods should start to return to their usual routine. You should talk to your doctor about your periods if you are having: changes in their usual pattern.

Will my period affect my 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.

How to naturally get your period back after birth control?

Most people find that their cycle returns to normal soon after stopping birth control, so there is often no need to try any specific techniques to help the body adjust.

Will milk supply drop when period returns?

Menstruation can sometimes decrease milk production
After ovulation, estrogen and progesterone levels in the body rise and calcium levels fall. The increase in these hormones can cause a decrease in milk production for some women.

How do I get my period back when breastfeeding?

Most breastfeeding mothers will resume their periods between 9 and 18 months after their baby’s birth. Weaning your baby will almost certainly cause your menstrual cycle to return, but most people find that they do not need to wean in order for their cycle to gradually resume.

Why am I not getting my period while breastfeeding?

Almost all breastfeeding mothers are menstruation-free for the first six months postpartum. It’s a phenomenon known as lactational amenorrhea. Essentially, your baby’s regular nursing acts as an inhibitor on the release of the hormones necessary to prepare for a new pregnancy.

Why is my period absent during lactation?

What causes lactational amenorrhea? Lactational amenorrhea is caused due to disruption of the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus. Suckling during lactation reduces GnRH secretion, which leads to a decrease in the levels of LH secreted from the pituitary and estrogen levels.

What happens if your period doesn’t come back after breastfeeding?

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.