Why am I starting my period while breastfeeding?

Understanding Your Period While Breastfeeding
For many new parents, the return of menstruation during breastfeeding can be a surprising and sometimes confusing experience. While it is commonly believed that breastfeeding delays the return of periods, this is not a universal truth. The timing of your menstrual cycle can vary significantly based on several factors, including breastfeeding frequency, hormonal changes, and individual physiological differences.
The Role of Hormones
Breastfeeding influences hormone levels in your body, particularly prolactin, which is responsible for milk production. High levels of prolactin can suppress ovulation, leading to a condition known as lactational amenorrheaWhy Am I Starting My Period While Breastfeeding?
It’s quite common for breastfeeding individuals to start their period again while still nursing their baby. This is because the hormonal changes that occur during breastfeeding can affect the return of menstruation in various ways.
Breastfeeding and Menstrual Cycle
Typically, breastfeeding can delay the return of menstruation, a phenomenon known as “lactational amenorrhea.” This is because the frequent nursing of the baby suppresses the release of certain hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, which are necessary for ovulation and the menstrual cycle.
However, this suppression of the menstrual cycle is not absolute, and many breastfeeding individuals will still experience their period while continuing to nurse their baby. There are a few key factors that can influence when the menstrual cycle resumes:
Frequency of Breastfeeding
The more frequently the baby nurses, the longer the menstrual cycle may be delayed. Babies who nurse both day and night are more likely to suppress the menstrual cycle for longer.
Baby’s Sleeping Patterns
If the baby starts sleeping through the night, this can trigger the return of the menstrual cycle, even if breastfeeding is still occurring during the day.
Individual Hormonal Differences
Every person’s body is unique, and individual hormonal variations can affect when the menstrual cycle resumes after giving birth, regardless of breastfeeding frequency.
Impact on Milk Supply
The return of menstruation while breastfeeding can sometimes temporarily affect milk supply, as the hormonal changes can impact milk production. However, this is usually temporary, and additional feedings or pumping can help boost the milk supply back up.
In summary, it’s very common for breastfeeding individuals to start their period again while still nursing their baby. This is due to the complex interplay of hormones and individual physiological differences. As long as the baby is continuing to gain weight and the milk supply is maintained, the return of menstruation is generally not a cause for concern.

Why did my period come back so early while breastfeeding?

If your first postpartum period returns earlier than expected while you’re breast feeding, one reason could be if you’ve stopped breastfeeding overnight. If your baby is sleeping through the night before the age of 6 months, this may cause your period to return earlier than normal which can affect your milk supply.

When did your period return while breastfeeding?

The return of ovulation and menstrual cycles remains highly variable. However, research shows these cycles are more likely to return after six months than before six months if a mom is breastfeeding exclusively. This is normal. However, it is possible to get your period while breastfeeding before the 6 month mark.

What is the first period like while breastfeeding?

Changes to your cycle
Some women have longer, more painful or heavier periods after having a baby, while others find their periods improve. It is common for the first few periods to seem different (lighter, heavier, shorter, longer or irregular).

Why do I have my period if I’m 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.

Should I stop breastfeeding if I’m bleeding?

Usually, even if you have an infection, it’s still safe to breastfeed with blood in your breast milk but some infections are not safe for your baby. For instance, if you have a blood-borne infection, you should talk to a health care provider.

Why did I start bleeding while breastfeeding?

If you begin menstruating again while you’re breastfeeding, you may experience spotting and irregular periods and wonder what’s going on. It’s completely normal to have inconsistent cycles when you’re breastfeeding a baby, and you can chalk it up to the same hormones that caused amenorrhea.

Will my milk supply return after my period?

Your milk supply may drop the week before your period starts and then rebound thereafter. Moms may notice decreased pump volumes or softer breasts during this time. Remember, you can’t go wrong feeding the baby on demand at the breast. You may pump less, but your body will always make milk as the baby is suckling.

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 breastfeeding cause mid cycle bleeding?

When you breastfeed, the levels of this hormone are high in your body. Because of this, you will probably not have your period or will experience only some light spotting while breastfeeding. Meanwhile, some women get their period a few weeks after giving birth, even if they are breastfeeding.

Can you be around a newborn on your period?

Since mom herself will be back on her period soon, there’s no valid, medically-proven reason that someone’s menstrual cycle would cause any harm to a newborn.