When Should I Expect My Period?

Hi JAckie,

My name is H. and I am a board certified lactation consultant. I just wanted to give you a little info regarding your menses cycle.

I would strongly encourage that you use birth control if you are not planning a pregnancy. The reason that I mention this is..... you may not have a period right now but that does not mean you cannot ovulate. This often happens before the first period. Usually lactational amenorrhea is only effective if your child is under 6 months of age & your menses has not returned & he/she would be getting exclusive breastmilk with very little use of a pacifier and no formula/food substitutions.

Usually your period will happen some time between 6 - 8 months if you are exclusively breastfeeding. Even then, it can be very irregular. Some days you bf more and some days less. There for some days you may bleed more and other none.

Please write me back if you info regarding safe birth control to take while breastfeeding.

H. B.

I nursed my son until he was 3. My period came back when he was exactly 12 months old. However, it can vary from woman to woman. I've heard of women's cycles starting again as early as 2-3 months, so you really never know. It was great not to get my period in my opinion, so I didn't mind at all about the 1 year delay.

J., I just want to praise you for what you are doing with your blended family. And for sticking with it for what must seem like the longest 8 years of your life. Keep up the good work!

Hi Jacqueline,

When your menses will return is anyone's guess when you're nursing.. nursing regularly can help to supress ovulation by increasing the amount of progesterone that your body normally makes.. right before you start your period - your progesterone drops and that signals the uterus to let go of the lining tissue, causing a period.. Nursing doesnt alawys supress ovulation however.. and you can ovulate and also not have a period..

Your periods likely wont be regular until you are no longer nursing at all.. A decrease in the frequency of your nursing could cause you to have a period - but it's also possible that it wont..

I know these arent very solid answers =) when you're nursing it's sort of "anything goes" .. if you're trying to prevent pregnancy by nursing, be sure to use a back up method as nursing alone is not a reliable birth control method.

Hope this helps!

I quit breastfeeding my son when he was 9.5 months and got my period back about 2 months after that. As for what to expect, every woman is different - you could get it before you quit breastfeeding, right after you quit, or sometime after.

I am still nursing my 9 month old and I haven't started my period either. It's one of those things that only your body can decide. Some woman have it within months after their baby's birth and some don't have for years if they are nursing! All I can say it enjoy it while it lasts!!

Hi J.,

I didn't breast feed becasue my milk did not come in. However, when I had any questions abt my period, or getting back on BC or whatever, I called my OBGYN. Mine came back pretty quick becasue I went back on the pill fairly quick. I do know the cycle is usually 28 days a month. Hope this helps....

Blessings,

K