Question About Breastfeeding! - El Mirage,AZ

Updated on April 04, 2007
G.S. asks from El Mirage, AZ
24 answers

I have a 3 month old that is currently breastfeeding and I just wanted to know if I am supposed to be having my regular periods each month. I have forgotten to ask my ob/gyn about this. She just told me that I wouldn't get pregnant. I have menstrual cramps once in a while, but no period. Is this normal?

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A.B.

answers from Phoenix on

It's normal to not have periods for up to a year as long as you're breastfeeding. Mine came back when my son was five months, but I'm still irregular and he's 8 1/2 months now. Things may change when you start to introduce baby foods, but until then you probably won't have a period.

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A.G.

answers from Las Cruces on

I never had regular periods while I was breastfeeding so I wouldn't worry to much! however, my Dr. put me on a very mild birth control that had no hormones because she said it was still passable to get pregnant, just not very likely... you may want to ask about this...

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B.M.

answers from Phoenix on

With my first two I did not get my period. But with my daughter I cramped and spotted. You CAN get pregnant while breastfeeding.
I hope I have been helpful and good luck!

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K.H.

answers from Phoenix on

I cannot believe your OB/GYN told you that you couldn't get pregnant while breast feeding. Do not believe it! My friend got pregnant 2 months after having her 2nd child. If you don't believe me, do the research. Six weeks after my deleiveries, I got my period and it normalized. You will have cramps while breast feeding, this is normal. Some women never get their periods while breastfeeding---but that doesn't mean you can't get pregnant.

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A.

answers from Tucson on

Hi G.,
Every body is different. With my first, I didn't get my period until she was 14 mos. old. With my second my period came back when she was 12 mos. old. With my third, my period came back at 7 mos. Definately one of the perks of breast feeding is not getting your period. So it's totally normal and enjoy. Just be mindful that just because you don't have a period doesn't mean you can't get pregnant.

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T.W.

answers from Phoenix on

perfecly normal you probably won't get your period until you stop breastfeeding. so don't worry.

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A.J.

answers from Phoenix on

First off you can still get pregnant the chances just aren't as high due to your bodies hormone levels while breastfeeding. As for the period you may not have one right away it all depends on how your hormone levels are and stress and all that good stuff. If you are concerned that you might be pregnant get a test just to make sure.
Good Luck Happy Parenting

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D.R.

answers from Tucson on

G.,

Not that you necessarily need one more response, but I just wanted to add my two cents. My son is 15 months and still nursing at night and in the morning, I just got my first period two months ago (when I first swtiched to twice/day nursing). I nursed my daughter until she was 15 months and never got a period b/c I got pregnant when she was 10 months. I didn't know that I was until I was about four months along. I know that others have said it, but you can definitly get pregnant while nursing. Your chances are decreased, but I'm proof that it happens. You may want to talk to you doctor about going on the "mini pill," it's safe to use while nursing. It's what I have been on and I haven't seen any adverse effects.

Good luck to you w/ your new little one. I know that it's tough to be a mom to two little ones. Mine are 19 months apart.

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L.F.

answers from Phoenix on

Wow! I'm shocked...who is your OB/GYN???? You might want to get a different one....

Yes, you can get pregnant even if you don't have your first period. Think about it....you ovulate...then get a period IF the egg does not get fertilized. Your period is the shredding of the unfertilized egg.

I nursed my dauther 18 months and got my period back around 10 months. I nursed my other daughter 11 months and got my period back at 6 months. My son 20 months and period at 9 months. I never used a bottle or pacifier.

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C.M.

answers from Dallas on

As long as you are nursing or pumping at least 8-12 x per 24 hour period, you probably won't get your period. The pregnancy thing isn't 100% so use a back up method if you definitely DON'T want to conceive. I nursed my son for 14 months and got my period back around 9 months after he was on solids and nursing less. I have a friend who is nursing a 2 1/2 year old and she still hasn't gotten hers back yet. And now she's TTC again and can't predict anything. lol

hope that helps! A great website for breastfeeding is kellymom. com

C.

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L.G.

answers from Albuquerque on

I think its perfectly normal in fact I loved it when I had my second son I breastfeed him for the 1st 9months and the whole time I never had a period. Consider it a bonus!

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B.K.

answers from Phoenix on

First off, don't take this personally, but GET A NEW OB/BYN!!!

You absolutely CAN get pregnant, even if you are breastfeeding. That is one of the biggest myths ever. Your periods will be spotty with breastfeeding however, this is normal.

You also CAN get pregnant, even if you are having intermittent or irregular periods.

All very normal, post-delivery recovery is very different for all of us.

But please, keep in mind, YOU CAN GET PREGNANT without some form of real protection.

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C.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Hi there, it's completely normal to not have your period during breastfeeding. I have a 14 month old and breastfed her until she turned 1 and I didn't have my period the entire time. I do want to say that there is still a chance you could get pregant. Some women do get their periods back while breastfeeding, so it's not a certain thing that you won't get yours. Yours could come back at anytime, therefore it IS possible for you to get pregnant. Or, your period can be absent for the entire time you breastfeed, like mine was.

I hope this helps!

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C.K.

answers from Santa Fe on

I breastfed for two and a half years and didn't get my period until I stopped breastfeeding. With my second child, I got my period when she was 8 months old, and my milk dried up, so I was really bumbed out to get my period. Keep breastfeeding as much as you can. It's amazing what it does for children's immune system and their brain development.

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M.G.

answers from Santa Fe on

It is normal. Also, it is a lot less likely that you will get pregnant during this time, but NOT impossible!! Your periods should return in a few months, if not sooner. Talk to your local La Leche League leader and attend meetings. They should be in your phone book. Or they likely have a website.

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E.C.

answers from Santa Fe on

I didn't get my period until my son was 8 months old and I cut back on breastfeeding to twice a day. However, I would seriously consider a back-up birth control method. I know several people who got pregnant while breastfeeding!

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J.L.

answers from Phoenix on

I had that happen and I was told it is normal, you can have a period breast-feeding or you may go the whole time without one, it just depends one how your body reacts to your babies changing eating habits. =)

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K.R.

answers from Phoenix on

my baby is 6 months, I am nursing, no period yet. It is normal. I get mild cramps every so often. I'm not worried cuz its so nice not having a monthly period!! AND I can't believe your OB told you that. You can get pregnant while nursing. My friend did.
K.

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L.

answers from Phoenix on

I didn't get mine until my son was 10 months, but you can get pregnant while breastfeeding. I did. You should call your doctor to discuss it in more detail.

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A.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Yes it is normal not to have your period while you are breast feeding. I did not get my period for a month or two after I stopped breastfeeding.

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J.B.

answers from Albuquerque on

Usually if you are breastfeeding solely (no binkis or bottles) then your period doesn't return till about 6 months, however if you are using binkis or bottles even once in a while it will return sooner. And you are still fertile. I have a girlfriend that has 3 children now and since getting pregnant with her first 4 years ago she has only had one period, but had 2 more kids. One she was pregnant with while only breastfeeding and didn't know she was pregnant till she was about 4 months. I had cramps while I was breastfeeding and then got my period about 4 1/2 months after giving birth but it wasn't always my regular 28 days until my daughter weaned. Talk to your ob, just call you probably don't need to make an appointment, she'll quiet your concerns and if she thinks somethings odd she'll ask you to make an appointment.

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K.G.

answers from Albany on

Completely normal. You'll probably start getting your period again sometime in the next 3-4 months. I'm surprised she would tell you that you can't get pregnant, tho. My OB said that while its a little less likely, you still could get pregnant while nursing, as early as the 6 week mark.

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C.

answers from Phoenix on

I didn't get my period for a couple of years whe I breast fed my son until he was two.

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A.H.

answers from Phoenix on

Yes it is normal. I did not get mine with my daughter till she was like 11mos but earlier with my son and I did get pregnant with my daughter while breast feeding my son.

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