When will your period return when breastfeeding?

Understanding the Return of Menstruation While Breastfeeding
The return of menstruation after childbirth is a significant concern for many new mothers, particularly those who are breastfeeding. The timing can vary widely based on individual circumstances, primarily influenced by breastfeeding practices.
Breastfeeding and Menstrual Cycle
For mothers who choose to breastfeed, the return of their menstrual cycle can be delayed significantly. In many cases, women who exclusively breastfeed may not see their periods return for several months, or even years, after giving birth. This is largely due to the hormonal changes that breastfeeding induces, which suppress ovulation and, consequently, menstruation.
Research indicates that the body’s natural response to breastfeeding can lead to a prolonged absence of periods. The hormone prolactin, which is elevated during breastfeeding, plays a crucial role in inhibiting ovulation. Therefore, the more frequently and exclusively a mother breastfeeds, the longer it may take for her menstrual cycle to resume.
Typical Timeframes
While some women may experience their first postpartum period as early as six weeks after giving birth, this is more common among those who do not breastfeed or who supplement with formula. For breastfeeding mothers, the timeline can be quite different. Many may find that their periods do not return until they begin to wean their baby or reduce the frequency of breastfeeding sessions.
In fact, some studies suggest that mothers who practice exclusive breastfeeding may not have a period at all during the entire duration of breastfeeding. However, if a mother begins to introduce formula or if her baby starts sleeping through the night, she may notice her period returning sooner.
Variability Among Individuals
It’s important to note that every woman’s body is different. Factors such as individual hormonal balance, the frequency of breastfeeding, and overall health can all influence when menstruation returns. Some women may find that their periods return earlier than expected, particularly if they have started to reduce breastfeeding sessions or if they experience changes in their breastfeeding routine.
In summary, while the return of menstruation during breastfeeding can be unpredictable, it is generally understood that exclusive breastfeeding can delay the onset of periods for many months. Mothers should be prepared for this variability and understand that their bodies will adjust at their own pace.

Does getting your period mean your milk is drying up?

Menstruation can sometimes decrease milk production
The increase in these hormones can cause a decrease in milk production for some women. However, for most women, the increase in these hormones is not high enough to affect milk production. Most mothers do not notice any impact of menstruation on their milk production.

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.

Why has my period not returned 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.

When should I take a pregnancy test if I am breastfeeding?

So, if you’re breastfeeding, having sex without using birth control, and think there’s a possibility you might be pregnant, you should take a standard pregnancy test on the first day of a missed period or two weeks after having unprotected sex.

When do your periods become regular after having a baby?

It can sometimes take up to a year for your periods and fertility to get back to normal. Generally, you are advised to waiting at least 2 years after giving birth before getting pregnant again.

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.

How long does it take for periods to normalise after breastfeeding?

Once you start to ease up on breast-feeding, especially after the first year as your baby gains more nutrition from foods, your periods will start to normalize again. If you don’t breast-feed, you should have normal cycles again right away. You might even get your next period four weeks after delivery.

When does your period come back when breastfeeding?

Most women find their periods return between 9-18 months post partum although but we do know that continued breastfeeding will cause spikes in prolactin levels which can be enough to impact fertility.

How long does it take for hormones to balance after breastfeeding?

The return to pre-pregnancy hormone levels can vary greatly, but generally hormones will normalize within three to six months. If you are breastfeeding, as you wean from it, your prolactin and oxytocin levels will drop—potentially leaving you feeling sad, anxious or irritable.

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.