When can my period return while breastfeeding?

Understanding the Return of Your Period While Breastfeeding
For many new mothers, the question of when their menstrual cycle will return while breastfeeding is a common concern. The timeline for the return of menstruation can vary significantly based on individual circumstances, particularly the frequency and exclusivity of breastfeeding.
Typical Timeline for Menstruation Resumption
Most breastfeeding mothers can expect their periods to resume between 9 and 18 months after giving birth. This delay is largely due to the hormonal changes that breastfeeding induces in the body. Prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, also suppresses ovulation, which in turn delays the return of menstruation.
For mothers who breastfeed exclusively, especially on demand, the return of their period may be postponed even longer. In some cases, menstruation may not return until breastfeeding is significantly reduced or stopped altogether.
Factors Influencing the Return of Your Period
Several factors can influence when your period will return while breastfeeding:
1. Breastfeeding Frequency: The more frequently you breastfeed, the longer it may take for your period to return. Exclusive breastfeeding can keep prolactin levels high, which suppresses ovulation.
2. Weaning: If you begin to wean your baby, particularly if you stop breastfeeding overnight, you may notice your menstrual cycle returning sooner. Many mothers find that their periods resume shortly after they start to wean.
3. Individual Variation: Each woman’s body responds differently to the hormonal changes associated with childbirth and breastfeeding. Some may experience their first postpartum period as early as six weeks after delivery, especially if they are not breastfeeding exclusively]. Conversely, others may not see a return for many months or even years.
What to Expect When Your Period Returns
When your period does return, it may not be the same as it was before pregnancy. Changes in flow, duration, and even menstrual pain are common. If you notice significant changes or have concerns, it’s advisable to consult with a healthcare provider.
In summary, while the return of your period during breastfeeding can vary widely, understanding the factors at play can help set your expectations. Whether you’re exclusively breastfeeding or beginning to wean, your body will navigate this transition at its own pace.

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 do I know if it’s my period or postpartum bleeding?

Lochia and menstrual blood are similar in that the bleeding subsides before going away. The biggest difference between the two types of discharge is that lochia lasts much longer. A typical period lasts about one week. Lochia lasts about six weeks in most people.

How do you know if you are returning fertility while breastfeeding?

If you are having regular menstrual cycles it is likely you have returned to fertility. Long, short, or irregular cycles can be a sign that your cycles are not yet fertile. Keeping a record of your periods can help you to identify that your body is ovulating.

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.

What are the signs that your period is not coming?

Depending on the cause of amenorrhea, you might experience other signs or symptoms along with the absence of periods, such as:

• Milky nipple discharge.
• Hair loss.
• Headache.
• Vision changes.
• Excess facial hair.
• Pelvic pain.
• Acne.

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.

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.

When will your period come back when 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.

When does your period return after having a baby?

After birth, your periods will return at your body’s own pace. It’s possible for your periods to return as soon as 4 to 6 weeks after childbirth. If you bottle feed or partially breastfeed your baby, you’ll tend to start having periods sooner than if you exclusively breastfeed.

Is it normal to have an inconsistent period while breastfeeding?

Once your periods return, they may be irregular to start with if you are still making milk (lactating). It’s not unusual to skip a period, or even for it to be a few months before your next one.