Period Returned While Breasfeeding

Hi T.,

I'm the mom of an eight month old little boy. I too started getting my period when he was about eight weeks old. I did with my daughters as well. I'm still breastfeeding, although he's starting to wean recently. The milk supply does go down, especially near the time of your period, I have mine right now so I know LOL! Some suggestions are to try to pump right after feeding him, more demand will bring up the supply. In Feb. I also starting giving my son a bottle of formula at the last feeding, b/c I knew it would really fill him up. Just recently he seems not to be getting enough at all. Some tips some of my friends gave me was to eat certain foods such as oatmeal, almond, most nuts actually b/c it's supposed to increase milk supply. There's also mother's milk tea that seems to help. Keep up the good work, I'm going to try to stretch it to at least nine months, this month it's really lightened up unfortunately, but just know that you've given him a good start regardless of how long you'll continue.

T.,

I experienced that towards the end of my nursing experience with my latest baby. I think it will help if you drink extra water during your period. I know that it helped me.

I always felt like I never made enough milk for my daughter. But here are some things you can take to help increase it. There is an herbal tea that is great, it's called Mother's Milk and it will help. Also drink a non-alcoholic beer a day. My midwife suggested this to me. These should help.

Have you tried drinking organic mother's milk tea or taking fenugreek capsules? Both are available at the health food store. I found that my production started to dwindle when I returned to school full time, despite the fact that I pumped every day at lunnch. A friend from LLL recommended I try either of those and it helped bump up my production. You will notice a slight maple syrup smell to your sweat after you have been taking it for a while. And remember that the more you suppliment with formula the less milk you will produce. I know that is very frustrating because you want to make sure your baby has enough milk. If you can, take a "nursing vacation". Basically stay in bed with your little one for a day or two and do nothing but nurse. The more he eats the more your body will produce. Good luck.

There are safe herbs you can take to help increase your supply. One may be nettle I think? But don't quote me on that. If you contact a lactation consultant or La Leche League, they might be able to tell you what they are. Or, call the Postpartum Place (formerly the Lactation Resource Center) in Chatham--they're great, and I think they even sell the herbs in their shop. I have talked to moms who have had success...http://www.postpartumplace.com/

T., I didn't get my perioud until I stopped nursing so I was fortunate for that. Only I have noticed that my body doesn't produce milk for long. My second one, I was losing milk about 3 months and thought it was because of stress since there was only 1 year and 3 weeks between the first and seonc. Then almost 21 months later, I gave birth to another boys and tried nursing and noticed that the milk was depleting again about 3 months and I took Fenugreek (according to the OB midwife) and it worked. I have read and learned that garlic and peanuts help with producing more milk as well. Because my seond ended up in the thospital for a few days, I completely lost my mmilk for my third, but he's 8 months so he had 8 months of nursing. Try Fenugreek. But, my friends who took it and was getting her period, found tht it made her bleed more. Try it since it's just an herb and see what it does for you. Eat garlic and peanuts and don't worry about the peanut allergy the pediatricians will discourage you about. I did with my boys and they were fine!!! I have certain nut allergy but it never affected them whatsoever. Be careful listening to pediatricians. They go by the books, you go by your child and yourself....there is a HUGE difference. Anyways try the herb and let us know how it turned out!! Congrats on your child and enjoy him!!! They grow soooooo fast and before you know it they are 6 mos and 8 months and 1 year old and then 2 yo and then 3yo. Enjoy everyt minute of him!!!

The same thing happened to me! I got my period 6 weeks after I delivered my son while exclusively breastfeeding. The funny thing is that I only got it that one time and then I didn't get it for rest of the time I was breastfeeding (8 months). It is totally normal and it does feel like your supply is getting low, but that should only last a day or two and then it should be back to normal. Remember that you can still get pregnant while breast feeding, so think of it as a little reminder to be careful!

yes very common. i read good things about fengeek(not sure of spelling). since he is going to get older, if you want to continue breastfeeding, i would start pumping every night after the last feeding. you can store the milk and use it if your periods continues to be a problem, but if you pump, you can build up more mil than needed, so when your AF comes, you might still have enough. that night i would still pump after. even if you arent getting anything, it is helping build. then as you build to where you dont need to bottle that time, you will be stocking milk for when cereal starts. i know it might be a pain, but an extra 10 mins a night might really help. no need to supplement, the aap really stresses no formula or solids for the first 6 months for breastfed babies is very important. good luck.

It happened to me with my three children. It was hard with my first as it did affect my milk supply while I was having my period. Hang on there for those few days and then things go back to normal. Like you, I decided to supplement because it is very hard to deal with an unsatisfied baby, and I was lucky that when my period was over my milk supply was up again. Please remember, no matter what lactation consultants tell you, formula is not poison, and a very stressed out mom makes unhappy kids, so if you have to supplement please do so without feeling guilty.

I've heard gatorade can really help but I've yet to see this happen myself. ( I just started drinking it today...) Fenugreek, I think it's an herb is supposed to help, there's this in the mother's milk tea. There are lots more ideas if you go to kellymom. Good luck, I'm there with you, my period has been as regular since I had Max (4 months ago) as yours.

K.

Yes I did

eat more fruits and fibre, take your vitamins
drink plenty of water,
and lastly USE condoms, because you can get pregnant.

Good luck

M