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Is it normal to not have a period after stopping breastfeeding?

The Relationship Between Breastfeeding and Menstruation
It is completely normal to not have a period for some time after stopping breastfeeding. The return of menstruation after childbirth and breastfeeding can vary greatly from woman to woman.
During breastfeeding, the hormone prolactin is elevated, which suppresses ovulation and menstruation. This is why many women do not get their period for several months, or even up to a year, while exclusively breastfeeding their baby.
The timing of the first period after stopping breastfeeding depends on several factors:
– Breastfeeding Frequency: The more frequently a woman breastfeeds, the longer it may take for her period to return.
– Supplementation: If a woman supplements breastfeeding with formula, her period may return sooner than if she was exclusively breastfeeding.
– Individual Variation: There is a wide range in how quickly a woman’s period returns after stopping breastfeeding, from a few weeks to over a year.
Irregular Periods After Breastfeeding
It is also common for women to experience irregular periods for some time after stopping breastfeeding. This is due to the hormonal changes the body goes through during this transition.
In summary, it is completely normal and expected for a woman’s period to not return for some time after stopping breastfeeding. The timing can vary greatly, but the return of regular menstruation is a natural process as the body adjusts.

How long after stopping nursing will I get my period?

Only around one-fifth of breastfeeding parents will get their period within six months of giving birth. 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.

Why is my period not returning after breastfeeding?

Women who breastfeed can find that it takes longer for their periods to return after giving birth. This is because the hormone that is used for milk production – prolactin – can also suppress the hormone that is responsible for ovulation.

Can your period skip a month while 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.

Can breastfeeding randomly stop your period?

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.

When should I be worried about not having a period postpartum?

If this happens in the first few days following delivery, it could signal a potential uterus, kidney, or bladder infection. A longer delay in your period returning if you’re not breastfeeding. If you’re formula-feeding and don’t get your period by three months postpartum, talk to your OB or midwife.

What are the side effects of stopping breastfeeding?

What’s more, when you wean, your body stops producing the feel-good hormones of oxytocin and prolactin. For some parents — especially if those who wean abruptly — this can increase feelings of moodiness, irritability, and sadness. For others, it can lead to something anecdotally known as post-weaning depression.

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.

What’s the longest you can go without a period after birth?

If you bottle feed or partially breastfeed your baby, you’ll tend to start having periods sooner than if you exclusively breastfeed. 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.

What is the maximum delay in periods if not pregnant?

If you don’t have any known condition affecting your menstrual cycle, your period should start within 24 to 38 days of your last period, depending on your usual cycle. If you’re 7 days past your expected due date, it is considered late. After 6 weeks, you can consider your late period a missed period.

How long until my period comes back while breastfeeding?

If you are exclusively breastfeeding, you may still see the return of a monthly bleed beginning around 4 months, especially if your little one starts sleeping longer stretches at night at an early age. But more commonly, women get their periods back anywhere between 8 – 18 months postpartum.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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