Is it normal that if your breastfeeding you don't get your cycle?

Jeannine - posted on 01/09/2012

yes, totally normal. Just got mine back and my son just turned a year old on Friday.

Louise - posted on 01/09/2012

I didn't have a period for 2 years so don't worry. Well done and keep it up. As others have said, breastfeeding is indeed awesome!

Terilyn - posted on 01/09/2012

Yes its normal I didn't have one for about a year!!!! Enjoy while it last. But still gaurd against pregnancy cuz it still could happen.

Dawne - posted on 01/09/2012

Yes it is normal to not get your period for awhile when you are breastfeeding. However some women do get it back within 6 months depending on how often the baby breasfeeeds. Usually when the night time feedings slow down is when the cycle tends to return. In my case with all 3 of my kids, I didn't get a period for almost 2 years while nursing them. I have to admit it was great!

Miranda - posted on 01/09/2012

I nursed my son for 2 1/2 years and I didn't get a period again until I weaned him.

Jennifer - posted on 01/09/2012

Yes, it's fine - but don't think you can't get pregnant again, because you can! So keep taking precautions.

Kelly - posted on 01/09/2012

I breastfed my daughter till she was 9 months old, and didnt get my cycle till she was about 7 months old!! Nothing to worry about, until 6 months if u exclusively breastfeed its like free birth control....not 100% effect but mother natures way of stopping u having kids too close together x

Lani - posted on 01/09/2012

Hi Sherrine, I breastfed both of my daughters for about 2 1/4 years and did not get my cycle back until I had totally stopped nursing both times. In fact I only had one period between finishing nursing one daughter and getting pregnant with the other! I only had one period in almost six years! Lucky me! I have other friends though who got theirs much sooner, so I think it can really vary. Also, it might have something to do with how much you breastfeed. I co-slept with my babies, so it was like a round the clock buffet!

Katharine - posted on 01/09/2012

I didn't have a period the entire time I breastfed my daughter, 15 months. They came back after. Its ok, everyone is different

Sandy Greatgrandmother - posted on 01/09/2012

Sherrine , I truly would not give it another thought, you may not start your cycle until you stop feeding. In the meantime enjoy it. regards Sandy

Kerrie - posted on 01/08/2012

With both my kids it was 14 months before I got one. Best time of my life lol!

Margaret - posted on 01/08/2012

Hi Sherrine, I breastfed my second child until an hour before my third child was born, and I never had a period of my second child's birth...don't worry. However, if you have a discharge that is concerning you, check with your doctor, it could be you have a yeast infection which needs to be addressed. God bless.

Naomi - posted on 01/08/2012

I breastfed both my sons for a year and did not have a cycle for that whole time! I did not mind at all!!! Enjoy!

Anke - posted on 01/08/2012

Perfectly normal- its less normal to have any flow, even light flow, as it is supposed to stop it completely. 13 months of breastfeeding my eldest lead to 13 months of cycle-free bliss and its happening again with my second. Even when I was weaning her onto other milk and my milk was diminishing did it not occur, not until I was completely dry. So enjoy! It means your body is working perfectly as designed.

Anke - posted on 01/08/2012

Perfectly normal- its less normal to have any flow, even light flow, as it is supposed to stop it completely. 13 months of breastfeeding my eldest lead to 13 months of cycle-free bliss and its happening again with my second. Even when I was weaning her onto other milk and my milk was diminishing did it not occur, not until I was completely dry. So enjoy! It means your body is working perfectly as designed.

Allison - posted on 01/08/2012

I honestly didn't know until I read the other moms' replies that some women do have a period while breastfeeding. For me it was/is gone the entire time during breastfeeding and returns a month or 2 after completely stopping. It's also very important to remeber, as other moms have stated, that although you are not having your monthly visitor anymore you can still get pregnant. Congrats on your baby by the way.

Mystique - posted on 01/08/2012

My sister-in-law got a whole year (seriously) without a period. She went back to med school when my nephew was 6 months old, and she didn't even pump like crazy, yet I who was home full time with my baby and breastfeeding around the clock only got to 4 months, and my other sis-in-law (also stay-at-home, and exclusively BF) only got 2 months. Everybody is different, but yeah it's normal.

Jessica - posted on 01/08/2012

Yes, I missed mine for a year after all three of my kids. One of the benfits of nursing!

Genevieve - posted on 01/08/2012

Got mine right after my 6 weeks after birth one, and a friend of mine took a year to get them back. But one thing to not forget is protection if you are not ready to be pregnant again! you could be fertile and not know it!

Marilyn - posted on 01/08/2012

It is normal for some women. Me, i got mine about a month after the initial bleeding stopped. I BF all three of my daughters and got my regular cycle. It is great that ou have asked this question of this forum, but with my third child, I went to my doctor and there was a problem. So to cause on the side if caution, ask your Doctor.

Elizabeth - posted on 01/08/2012

I have 3 kids. I breastfeed all of them til they were 18 months. I never had a period the whole time that I was breastfeeding even near the end when I would only nurse once a day. This does not happen for everyone but I was happy it did for me :)

Rachel - posted on 01/08/2012

With my first child, my cycle came back with 3-6 months, and stayed consistent the usual 28 day cycle. My daughter will be 6 months old on the 20th and I have not got my cycle yet. I've been kinda wondering when its going to come back LOL! At least if I have my cycle I know I'm not pregnant again!!!! :)

Jocelyn - posted on 01/08/2012

I didn't get my cycles for over a year when I breastfed my daughter. But remember you ovulate before you get your period so don't rely on breast feeding as birth control

Fiona - posted on 01/08/2012

yes it is perfectly normal. ur body knows that it is taking care of a child and doesnt need to produce again, therefore when u r breastfeeding, u do not ovulate... u will find u will not become pregnant again until after u have finished breastfeeding ur child

Ria - posted on 01/08/2012

Sorry to put a damper on your hopes, my grand daughter was solely on breast milk but my daughter got pregnant in 4 months.

Ria - posted on 01/08/2012

Sorry to put a damper on your hopes, my grand daughter was solely on breast milk but my daughter got pregnant in 4 months.

Barbara - posted on 01/08/2012

I have nursed my 4 children (still nursing my almost 17 month old). I consider myself lucky that I usually did not get my period until my babies were b/w 14-16 months old. I love it! Usually when the baby really slows down their nursing is when your period will return (such as the baby sleeping through the night!) But, be very careful it is unpredictable as to when it will return so you can ovulate and not know it. With our second daughter, I was ready to start trying but I was disappointed b/c I had not yet gotten my period yet b/c I was still nursing my first daugter. In our case it was awesome b/c I got pregnant without knowing when I ovulated! It was a blessing. So, enjoy it, no worries it will return when you least expect it! I just got mine on Dec. 10 (I did not have it for 25 months b/c I was pregnant and then nursing) so I was kind of bummed when it showed up! Enjoy the lack thereof:)

Sandi - posted on 01/08/2012

I nursed for 9 months, and my cycle returned around the time I stopped nursing (about 9 months, I think). The second child, I nursed longer, but I think my cycle returned around 9 months, as well. I don't remember exactly.

Zee - posted on 01/08/2012

Totally normal. If you're unsure, ask your doctor at the baby's next check up.

Patricia - posted on 01/08/2012

Actually, I was unable to breastfeed, and it still took about five months for my real period to return. I specify "real," because of course, I had the post-birth bleeding that went on for ages. ;)

Jennifer - posted on 01/08/2012

I nursed my first for a year & didn't get my period back until a month after I stopped. My second is now 7 months & I plan to also nurse her for a year. No period this time around yet either. It's great!

Summer - posted on 01/08/2012

I got my period a little over a year after breastfeeding... I just stopped after her second birthday. Believe me I was not in any hurry to get my cycle back, but be careful a friend of mine got pregnant 8 months after her first and she did not have her cycle yet and she was breastfeeding!!

Lauren - posted on 01/08/2012

Don't count on breastfeeding as a contraception though, you can get pregnant again before you have a period.

Wendie - posted on 01/08/2012

That happened to me and I didn't get a cycle for 6 months...then it begins as normal but a little lighter while your feeding...great job that your sticking with breast feeding

Keren - posted on 01/08/2012

Yes! I didn't get my cycle until I stopped pumping at work when my dd was one-year-old.

Emily - posted on 01/08/2012

Our son was 20mo old when mine came back!....I was still feeding here and there....

Lisa - posted on 01/08/2012

Yes! I didn't have a cycle for 9 months! I continued nursing until 13 months but it slowed down after my cycle came back. One of those extra little bonus' to breastfeeding! Quicker weight loss, more relaxed, and no period? Yes please! I don't know that this is true for everyone but it was for me.

Renee - posted on 01/08/2012

It's perfectly normal....but don't let it fool you into thinking you don't need birth control : )

Miranda - posted on 01/08/2012

its is normal.. and once you stop breastfeeding, your cycle will return.

Jessica - posted on 01/08/2012

Totally normal! I nursed all four of my kids and yes it is normal.

Alicia - posted on 01/08/2012

I didn't have one for almost 2 years, it was Blisssssss. however it did start up again even though I am still breastfeeding.

Dela Ama - posted on 01/08/2012

It's different from every woman. With my first baby I wasn't doing exclusive breastfeeding and it started after 4months but the second one also came at exactly 4months although I did exclusive breastfeeding.

Michelle - posted on 01/08/2012

I breast feed both my boys for their first year and did not have a menstrual cycle until after I dried up.

Jennifer - posted on 01/08/2012

Yes. I never got my period until a week after I stopped breastfeeding with both of my kids.

Jen - posted on 01/08/2012

Very normal. After my first son I didn't start my cycle until the week he turned 1yr. My second is 6mths and still no sign of my cycle. One of the perks of breast feeding ;-)

Rebecca - posted on 01/08/2012

oh its normal, since u're breastfeeding ur babe. ;o) once u stop breastfeeding, u will eventually have ur cycle back.

Nicole - posted on 01/08/2012

With my first daughter I didn't have a cycle til she was almost one. With my second I never had a cycle but when she was 9mos. I found out I was pregnant with my third. I didn't have a cycle with the third until she was 10-11mos. old. I nursed all three of my girls so it is normal for me just be sure you re taking birth control, because you never know what could happen!

Julia - posted on 01/08/2012

A lot depends on your body as well as the frequency you are nursing, like moms who co-sleep typically have a longer delay. All of my children kept my period completely away for over a year. Shortest was 14 months, longest was 18 months. Sounds like you are doing things just right!

Evita - posted on 01/08/2012

My twins are 13 months stil breastfeeding still no cycle :-)

Jeannine - posted on 01/08/2012

I was about average, getting my cycle at about 5 or six months with both of my children. It was always lighter, however, when I was breast feeding. Also, when I got my first period post-baby, with both kids, I did have a milk supply issue. I had to just be much more diligent and my babies had to work a little harder. It was a little frustrating, but just a hurdle in the process. I breast fed both of them until about 13 months, when they naturally weened. It has been about a year since I've completely stopped nursing, however, and my cycle is just now seemingly regular and basically back to what it was before being pregnant. Hormones are powerful. It's always a process.