Trying to get pregnant while breastfeeding?

Nav - posted on 04/15/2011

Thank-you everyone for the support and advice. I talked with an REI specialists and he relates that the 2-3 periods i had since November might not be periods at all. He did recommend that i might have to cut out the B-feeding as for alot of women this is a major supressor of ovulation. i believe he termed Prolactin to be the mighty hormone! I really do not want to quit, and will do more research on the cervical mucous monitoring. I have bought some ovualtion pee tests and have been testing for the last few days. Anyone know how accurate these are? I decided to do this because i had a major dip in my breat milk so that i might be getting my period. This happened with the other "periods" that i had. Ok now i have more questions but maybe will start another discussion.

Again thanks and i will wait for more answers!!!!

Brittany - posted on 04/12/2011

hubby and i had just discovered we are expecting again. our son is 10 months old now and it was a bit of a shocker because i've only had about 2 real periods and none of which were recent. i dont know how far along i am but we will find out in 2 weeks. my son eats about 4-5 times a day and i've changed nothing about his pattern. we weren't trying at all. it just happened. anyways, it is possible but i don't think you should "play" with your childs eating. patience is key. have fun trying. ;) dont make it a chore. you will only stress yourself out and beat yourself up over it.

Ashley - posted on 04/12/2011

Sorrry! Just had another thought! Although it would be different for everyone, for me, I ovulated later in my period after my daughter was born, because my cycles were longer. Before my daughter, my cycles were 28 days and I would ovulate around the 14th day of the cycle. Then after my daughter, I had 35-42ish day cycles and I ovulated around the 21st day. So it's worth taking that into consideration. Anyways, not sure if any of that helps but either way, good luck!

Ashley - posted on 04/12/2011

And I have to say, from what I have read, having sex all the time does not nessesarily help! You need to give enough time for the sperm count to increase again. I think someone else mentioned that. Anyways, I've just heard a lot of people try to get pregnant that way and I'd have to say for myself and my husband, that would be just too exhausting!

Ashley - posted on 04/12/2011

Hi! We were in the same boat as you and our daugther was feeding 3-4 times a day. I had a period about every 35-40ish days. I am now pregnant by the way, after trying for 2 cycles. What I found the most helpful was learning to know the difference between fertile and infertile cervical mucus. It's such valuable information, for many reasons. We have used this as a contraception as well. I would suggest looking up The Billings Method. You should be able to find enough information to get you started. I did cut out the afternoon feed though until I got pregnant and then now my daughter sometimes has it again after a nap. I'm not sure if cutting that feed helped us conceive or not but I wanted another baby so bad! And my daughter was happy as long as she got a snack after her nap. Trust you find what is best for your family!

Emily - posted on 04/11/2011

Actually, you could be having periods and not be ovulating, especially if they are tending to be longer cycles. You can continue to breastfeed, which I would want to do as well, but understand that if you are nursing around the clock consistently, the statistical chance of you getting pregnant is very slim--1-5%. A 10 month old should be able to go through the night without a feeding, so I would start with dropping those feedings and see if that helps! Good luck!

Annie - posted on 04/11/2011

You can continue to bf, but you will probably have to cut down the number of feeds. I didn't get my period back until I'd cut down to 3 feeds a day (about last Oct, my son is now 17 months). I now b-feed him just twice a day & have normal periods ~ the no of days are a bit scatty (they range between 27-31) but otherwise they are 'normal'.

We also went for regular sex every other day ~ allowing my husband to make enough sperm for the next time & a good nights sleep :o)
This has got me pregnant twice ~ sadly i miscarried last month so we are back to the drawing board...

Emily - posted on 04/10/2011

I really disagree with Lori and Emily. Stopping breastfeeding should be your absolute last resort in trying to get pregnant. If you've already gotten periods, that means you are ovulating. If you're ovulating, your chances of getting pregnant are just as good if you're breastfeeding than if you're not breastfeeding. I agree with charting or grabbing a fertility monitor. Also remember sometimes your cycles may just be longer than others. Even if you have a long cycle, doesn't necessarily mean you didn't ovulate. I think charting might be your best bet so that you can time it right and find out for sure if/when you're ovulating. Or, just have sex every day. lol

Emily - posted on 04/10/2011

I agree with Lori--if you are still breastfeeding regularly even through the night, your chances of getting pregnant are slim according to the textbooks. I would at least drop your night time feedings. You will need to be a bit more irregular in your feedings to allow your body to ovulate as breasfeeding so regularly inhibits ovulation.

Lori - posted on 04/10/2011

I hate to say this, but you might have to stop breastfeeding. I never got pregnant while breastfeeding because the hormones help suppress ovulation. However, I always got pregnant almost as soon as the baby stopped breastfeeding.
I have five children, and I am here to tell you that stopping breastfeeding might be the thing you need to do.
Good luck!

Jessica - posted on 04/09/2011

I am a huge believer in the ClearBlue Fertility Monitor. I tried for 3.5 years to get pregnant, and all sorts of charting failed me. This monitor helped me discover if and when I was ovulating, and helped my OB/GYN decide we needn't rush to Clomid, but to explore other fertility issues. I finally got pregnant with my monitor's help, and before my daughter's 2nd birthday, I started to monitor again. I discovered the first cycle I used it that I did not ovulate, but the second cycle I ovulated on day 28. I don't know when I would have ovulated after that, because on that second cycle, I got pregnant! That's the second pregnancy I can attribute to my monitor, so it was SO worth it! If your cycles are irregular, I can't recommend the monitor enough.

Debbi - posted on 04/09/2011

The best way to know when to time things, and to definitively know if you're ovulating, is to chart your temperature and monitor cervical fluid. There's a free online course and charting tool at fertilityfriend.com or pick up "Taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler (www.tcoyf.com)



Good luck!

Lauren - posted on 04/09/2011

It will happen. Some women take longer to return to regular fertility, but as your child eats more solid foods and nurses less at night, things will fall into place. I got pregnant with my 2nd when my oldest was 14 months. Honestly, that was plenty exhausting, and your milk supply will likely take a serious hit when pregnant. It's hard to be patient, but I am sure things will work out for you guys.

Nav - posted on 04/03/2011

Thanks brittany. I thought that the moms would get a laugh. My husband certainly did when i jumped up and said, "OK, I'm ready!" We ended up just laughing to sleep that night.

Elizabeth - posted on 04/02/2011

LOL NAV!! as I was typing that out I was going...well she is a mom..she's probably just as tired as I am ..she's going to have to pencil it in...It's even more difficult to coordinate when you have 2 1/2 kids LOL

Nav - posted on 04/02/2011

Thanks Elizabeth..i am breastfeeding every 3-4 hrs and still thru the night. I also have to up this when i do get my period as the supply dips. But i do think you are on the right track..do it all the time!!!! Just to share a funny note with you...on some days i have to schedule in naps to get ready for doing it all the time!!! Just the latest joke with my girlfriends.

Elizabeth - posted on 04/02/2011

You are probably irregular because of the frequency with which you are BF. You could reduce your BF a bit ..not sure if it is something you want to do but it may regulate you a bit ..or you can just "do it" ALL the time! lol Don't stress it will happen.