How long after I've stopping breastfeeding should my period return?

Lori - posted on 05/03/2013

I had my son on September 14th last year. I have been breastfeeding him exclusively until a couple weeks ago I am slowly decreasing his nursing and i haven't had my period since before Christmas of 2011. After I had him I had that bleeding that lasted a month or a little longer that was a pain so annoying. I have been wondering how long it might take for mine to come back once I am completely done breastfeeding and pumping. But that is my experience.

Anne-marie - posted on 04/17/2012

i to worry about not getting my period back yet i am still feeding once a day but my little girl is 17months old, been to dr and although it is a long time the tests all say everything is ok, good luck

Aileen - posted on 04/16/2012

Well my baby's 11wks 2moro and i still haven't got my period and yes I've been breastfeeding and formula as well only because baby girl was demand feeding she does perfer the real thing, but it makes it easier for me when i want time out. Its funny because i still get the symptoms and feel like i'm going 2 get my period, but never comes lol i should enjoy not having it, but is this healthy or what and when it does come back well i have it heavy and for a while and does it build up each month?

Angel - posted on 05/12/2011

I am still breastfeeding but slowing down. My LO is 17 months old and I haven't had a period since she was born well except the month long one. I have finally started and still going. I am also irregular. I would figure I would have some major cramping or something and I haven't. Best of luck to everyone else.

April - posted on 02/03/2009

Quoting Acacia:

It is very possible that you could be pregnant again. I breastfed my first little boy. he took himself off around 4 months. When he was 6 months I still hadn't gotten my period. Co- workers kept joking about being pregnant again and I laughed it off. When Cole was 6 1/2 months old I took a home prengancy test and low and behold I was pregnant! After going to the doctors we found out I was 7 weeks along! It was very hard for me to learn we'd be expecting again so soon! But it has worked out for us! They are so close and they always have a playmate! Oh and while i was breastfeeding I was also on a half pill for breastfeeding mothers...NOT a recommended birth control if you want to wait awhile to have another child.  After Grayson was born I had an IUD! Works like a charm:)

I've done regular pregnancy tests and all of them are coming up negative. Went to the doctors today and got the mini pill. Maybe that'll do the trick. I think stress is a factor. I'm right in the middle of moving house (fun) with fiance, baby and two mad cats!!!. Thank you though for all the replies.

Acacia - posted on 02/02/2009

It is very possible that you could be pregnant again. I breastfed my first little boy. he took himself off around 4 months. When he was 6 months I still hadn't gotten my period. Co- workers kept joking about being pregnant again and I laughed it off. When Cole was 6 1/2 months old I took a home prengancy test and low and behold I was pregnant! After going to the doctors we found out I was 7 weeks along! It was very hard for me to learn we'd be expecting again so soon! But it has worked out for us! They are so close and they always have a playmate! Oh and while i was breastfeeding I was also on a half pill for breastfeeding mothers...NOT a recommended birth control if you want to wait awhile to have another child.  After Grayson was born I had an IUD! Works like a charm:)

Jackie - posted on 02/02/2009

everyone is different! no need to run to the doc! some people get theirs after a few weeks, some get theirs a year later. losing weight could affect that. but dont worry!

Jenn - posted on 02/01/2009

I just stopped bf'ing my twins at nine months and I'm still waiting for mine to return.  With my oldest, around 6 months my period returned/

Larissa - posted on 02/01/2009

I breastfed my son excuslively for 2 weeks but he ate to much to keep up with so I started using formula and breastfeeding him 3-4 times a day until he was about 4 months old. I was on the mini pill and didn't get a period for 5 full months after stopping brestfeeding.

Isa - posted on 02/01/2009

Mine took 10 months to come back and I was substituting feeds with a bottle, every one isdifferent, my doctor said it was OK, he prescribed the mini pill whilst breastfeeding to get my hormones back to normal and they came back like clockwork, I should have stayed off that pill, haha lol

Holly - posted on 02/01/2009

omg lucky :) i got mine straight away after having my daughter.. i only bf for 4 weeks..

Shawna - posted on 01/31/2009

I have been breastfeeding exclusively for 3 months now and nope i dont got a period and i hope i dont get til im done breastfeeding.

Dora - posted on 01/31/2009

I didn't get mine back till my boy was six months old so every one is different.. my friend got hers 10 weeks after her baby was born..

April - posted on 01/30/2009

Thanks ladies for the advice. you never know i maybe on here in a couple of weeks asking for some really good pain relief for period pains, lol. Xxxxx

Stephanie - posted on 01/29/2009

It could take a month to a few months for all of your hormones to return to "normal" levels and it can take that long for your period to return b/c of it. I breastfed all 3 of my little ones and each one was different.

Ellena - posted on 01/29/2009

Mine were all different stages i fed my first child till he was 1 and got them back by the time he was 9 months, my 2nd child was fed till he was 9 months and i got them back by  the time he was 10 months and i finished feeding my 3rd child 2 weeks ago and she is now 10.5 months and im still waiting. every one is different if you are worried or feel different (no one knows your body like you do!) then it can't hurt to seek advice. to tell you the truth i really wish i would never get them again so enjoy the time out from them.

Christina - posted on 01/29/2009

The thing is that EVERY single person is different. There are no hard and fast rules about how long after you've stopped breastfeeding that you should expect your period to return. My friend thought she wasn't ovulating because she was nursing, and she ended up having her babies 11 1/2 month apart! I, on the other hand, breast fed my son for 13 months, but my period started again after 11 months. I'd say you just got a good deal. ; ) If you're really concerned, thought, you should probably consult your doctor.

Cara - posted on 01/29/2009

omg i am so jealous! I am BF my 3 month old and I Just got my period back.,...I wish I could go 8 more months without a period!!!! 

Katelyn - posted on 01/29/2009

I breastfed for 6 weeks and when I stopped I got my period the next week, Everyone is going to be different though... you won't know until you get there!

Jennifer - posted on 01/29/2009

I breastfed my 17 month old son and still am but started getting my period when he was around a year old, my Dr told me it was fine, everyone is different. So I would agree to check with your Dr. but I would try not to panic about it. And once you get it back you will wonder why you waited for it :)

Jessica - posted on 01/29/2009

My first son was breatfed exclusively for 13 months and I got my period back soon after I gave birth~ and with my second son who is 8 weeks old and exclusively breastfed, I havent gotten a period yet~~so it looks like everyone is different!!

Rachael - posted on 01/29/2009

How long after you've stopped breastfeeding and when your period will return really depend on the person! That is quite a length of time for you not to have gotten it. I ,too, agree you should call your doc because of the pregnant issue or it may just be your body rebounding from the pregnancy or it could be something else wrong. Good luck, hope all turns out well for you;)

Alexandra - posted on 01/29/2009

i also stopped breastfeeding my son at for months caus e i stopped making enough for him to drink and i got my period back 3 weeks later, like one of the other mothers said it would be a good idea to check with ur doctor cause that is not normal. running around after baby would have nothing to do with that from what i was told.

Michelle - posted on 01/29/2009

I am exclusively Breastfeeding and my son just turned 7 months. I got my first period on Jan. 16th. I would check with my doctor if I hadn't gotten a period in that length of time. Is it possible that you may be preggers again?

Helen - posted on 01/29/2009

I breastfed my daughter for 17 weeks and gave her the odd feed (2-3 oz a day) thereafter, along with the bottle until 6 months.  I got my period when she was 7 months old, so a month after I stopped breastfeeding is when my period returned. 

Jessica - posted on 01/29/2009

Hi there,

I think the whole 'You wont get your period whilst your breastfeeding'/'You get your period back at such and such a stage' are all myths.

I breastfed my daughter until she was 14months old, but my period returned when she was 8months old and the breastfeeding had no affect on it in any way.

I think that perhaps your body just isnt ready to menstruate yet. Give it time, it will return, and I bet you will wish it had stayed away a little longer! LOL :-)

Christina - posted on 01/29/2009

The thing is that EVERY single person is different. There are no hard and fast rules about how long after you've stopped breastfeeding that you should expect your period to return. My friend thought she wasn't ovulating because she was nursing, and she ended up having her babies 11 1/2 month apart! I, on the other hand, breast fed my son for 13 months, but my period started again after 11 months. I'd say you just got a good deal. ; ) If you're really concerned, thought, you should probably consult your doctor.

Rachael - posted on 01/29/2009

How long after you've stopped breastfeeding and when your period will return really depend on the person! That is quite a length of time for you not to have gotten it. I ,too, agree you should call your doc because of the pregnant issue or it may just be your body rebounding from the pregnancy or it could be something else wrong. Good luck, hope all turns out well for you;)

Helen - posted on 01/29/2009

I breastfed my daughter for 17 weeks and gave her the odd feed (2-3 oz a day) thereafter, along with the bottle until 6 months.  I got my period when she was 7 months old, so a month after I stopped breastfeeding is when my period returned.