SHOULD I BE WORRIED?? I have gotten my period...What can I do?

Alana - posted on 03/21/2009

you shoudlnt be worried. i didnt get my first period till my son was 9 months. my period is still irregular, i can go 2 months without one and my doctor said its ok. just keep breastfeeding, if you are realy worried just talk to your doctor.

Camille - posted on 03/21/2009

...my son is 7.5 months and my cycle has come twice since he was born...i still nurse him AND i'm on the mini-pill...every womans' body is DIFFERENT...if u are that worried, call up ur ob/gyn....

Stephanie - posted on 03/20/2009

I got my first period while breastfeeding after 7 months. I cramped really bad, and had a really really really really heavy period. I was due to start again 2 days ago and nothing yet. But the cramps are really bad again and a lot of discharge, so I think I'll go longer inbetween. Nothing at all to worry about. Totally normal!!

Melanie - posted on 03/20/2009

My son is 5 months old, and I know I'm not, but did a pregnancy test "just in case", because my period hasn't returned, not that I miss it! I stopped breastfeeding my first at 3 months, and period came back 3 weeks later. Also your pre- and post- pregnancy cycles could be completely different, before kids, I was irregular, and had cramps, between kids, 29 days every cycle, cramps for half an hour before they started

Carissa - posted on 03/20/2009

awesome advice ladies!! Thanks a lot.

Anna - posted on 03/18/2009

No, don't worry!  I got mine when my daughter was 4 months and all is well. :o)  I've been nursing for 13 months now and I have gotten periods randomly since then.

Arwen - posted on 03/18/2009

I got mine back when I started feeding her solids, about 7 months. When they start eating less, you normally get it back.

Danielle - posted on 03/18/2009

My sister had one cycle when her son was 2 months or so and did not have another until she stopped nursing at 13 months. I have not had one at all and my girl is 8 months. Nursing can make you irregular but don't worry it is all normal.

Ruth - posted on 03/18/2009

Don't be worried. I got mine back 3 months after my children were born. I have been told it  means you're very fertile, and it's nothing to worry about. Some people don't get theres back til they actually stop feeding. Just make sure you go to the doctor and go on the pill or you will get pregnant again. hope this helps.

Itsamystery - posted on 03/18/2009

No need to worry, everyone's period returns at different times, they often return earlier if you use a dummy (binki).

Periods are a pain, but I say BE GLAD, coz at least your sex drive will return. I had no period for 18 months after having my son and my libido was TERRIBLE and my marriage has suffered. I got one period when my son was 18 months old and felt like sex for the first time in years. I fell pregnant that month. My libido is now missing in action again. I'm still nursing :(

Pauline - posted on 03/18/2009

Nope, I wouldn't worry at all.  It doesn't mean anything about your milk supply.  It does mean you should do something for birth control if you're not already.  Some people think they can't get pregnant when they're nursing, and for some it does suppress ovulation, but for many, like you and me, it does not.  I started having periods from month 1 after both my kids.  So take precautions. 

Chrissy - posted on 03/18/2009

I've been BF for almost 5mths and have not had a period at all.  I'm also on the mini pill don't know if that keeps my period away.  Keep doing what you are doing for as long as you can. 

Rebecca - posted on 03/18/2009

Don't be worried at all! Breastfeeding moms get their periods back at varying times...some after only a few months some don't get one until they stop nursing. There are a few things that happen during that week...your supply will drop slightly (nothing to be concerned about) and the flavor of your milk could change as well (only for that week). Some babies aren't a big fan of this change in taste, but they still eat (they just might be a little grumpy about it). Just make sure you are still eating and drinking enough to support breastfeeding and everything will be fine!

Melinda - posted on 03/18/2009

You shouldn't be worried at all. I had regular periods right from the time my daughter was born. Just keep in mind that if you are having periods you can get pregnant.

Carolyn - posted on 03/17/2009

Everyone's given really good answers! You might also be confused because you might have heard that exclusive breastfeeding will keep your period away, but studies have shown that only ecological breastfeeding will adequately surpress your fertility (and hence your periods) for extended periods. Most North American women do what's been referred to as "cultural breastfeeding" and/or "exclusive breastfeeding", which is NOT the same thing. However, even ecological breastfeeding is not always sufficient for every woman to delay return of fertility, depending on how sensitive their hormonal feedback system is.

Sheila Kippley from the Couple to Couple League (was also a La Leche League leader) is considered one of the experts in the field. There's also an excellent article about ecological breastfeeding and the Seven Standards at
http://www.physiciansforlife.org/content...

What a great question!

Charmaine - posted on 03/16/2009

I spoke to my obstetrician and he said it is completely normal to have irregular periods whilst breastfeeding. My daughter is 7.5mths and I had spotting and a full period started 2mths ago, and then I had another one after around 40 days. He told me that this is all normal as they should normalise when I stop breastfeeding.

Tanya - posted on 03/16/2009

It's normal to get a period at any time while breastfeeding while most won't get one for at least the first six months. It's possible to notice a drop in milk supply while you have your period because of the changes in hormones. I just wanted to add that now that you are having your period, you are also ovulating which means that you are not able to rely on breastfeeding as birth control any longer.

Lolly_loulou - posted on 03/16/2009

well i took cheeky way out of periods, i get the depot injection so no more periods no more babies lovely only get injected once every 3 months....

Nicole - posted on 03/16/2009

I got my period back after three months. It stayed for about two weeks I think. Now I get it every month, and it stays for about two weeks, tho it seems like it's going away in the middle. I started the pill the second month I got my period and it still isn't regular. If it keeps up like this, I'm going to the dr just to see if he wants to change the type of pill. Not really worried about the bleeding tho. I think it's more of an annoyance.

Also, my girl is almost seven months now, and just this month I'm noticing she seems uninterested in nursing unless she's tired. My friend read that the hormonal changes can change the taste of the breastmilk and they'll pull away lots.

Tammy - posted on 03/16/2009

Quoting Anneka:

Are you not mean to get a period? My boy is 1 monh old and i had one right after i had him and it lasted over 2 weeks.

This is not a period this is lochia which is the normal cycle of your body getting rid of the womb lining after birth.  This can last up to 6 weeks.

I am also BF and my daughter is 7 months old.  I had a period in month 4 as well and have had nothing since.  It is normal for it to start as you start the transition to solid foods but I have been feeding solids as well as BFing for 1 month and still nothing.

You have nothing to worry about everyone is different.  You should look into birth control of some kind if you are having sex and don't want to get preggers again.  Keep BFing and don't worry.

Katie - posted on 03/16/2009

Some get theirs back right away, others are still waiting (like me at almost 10 months!).  If you notice your supply dips when you're on your period (as I've heard it can), just take fenugreek before and during to keep things up.

Lauren - posted on 03/16/2009

My daughter is 6 months old.  I have had two.  I had one when she was 2 and 3 months old and have not had once since.  Who knows!

Nicole - posted on 03/16/2009

I had postpartum bleeding for 4 weeks, had a week off and then started bleeding again. I thought I might have over done it w/vacuuming or might be my period. Sure enough my period came back the next month and did every month after, despite exclusively breastfeeding my son (he never took a bottle) until almost 7 mo. I had it every month until month 20, when turns out I was pregnant again. So some of us are just unlucky and periods return. Mine were a little off on length, but for the most part pretty regular.

Stephanie - posted on 03/16/2009

no worries all women get there period some time after giving birth, for most women that do not breast feed it is usually 5-6 weeks after. for women that breast feed it varies, i got my period only 3 months after giving birth and i also breast, plus it took me 6 weeks to stop bleeding so in total i only had 1 1/2 months no no bleeding.

Renee - posted on 03/16/2009

I've had my period since my son was 3 months old, and it has been pretty regular (though my cycle length is a little longer than it was pre-pregnancy). The only thing that might worry you is what you mentioned about your supply being low. I noticed that my supply diminished more and more after each period. I now take Fenugreek religiously and try to eat oatmeal every day; when I pump I only get drops, but I am still able to nurse about 2 to 3 times a day. 

Michelle - posted on 03/16/2009

yes being irregular is normal when BF. You may find you only go two weeks until u get another period or you could go 2 months.

Heather - posted on 03/16/2009

my son is 4 and a half months. I breastfeed and I haven't had a period yet. No spotting either. So you have nothing to worry about

Carissa - posted on 03/16/2009

I wonder if it is normal for it to be a bit irregular??I think it has been shorter then a 28 day cycle...which is what I am use to.  i do notice that mysupply is a bit low those days too.

Anneke - posted on 03/16/2009

Are you not mean to get a period? My boy is 1 monh old and i had one right after i had him and it lasted over 2 weeks.

Michelle - posted on 03/16/2009

Quoting Carissa:

SHOULD I BE WORRIED?? I have gotten my period...What can I do?

I have been exclusively nursing my almost 4 month year old and have had a period already. I have been spotting a lot since moth 2 and just had a heavy period last month for about 7 days. SHOULD I BE WORRIED?? What can I do?

No Hun dont be worried at all.

Women can have periods while Bf. some do some dont.

I know I did from month 1 and regular after that.

Just keep nursing.!!!!