Is it normal to start your period while breastfeeding

Once they do return, your periods may be irregular, especially if you are still producing milk lactating. The duration of your period can also change. It is not unusual to skip a period, or even for it to be a few months before your next one. When you start reducing the amount of time you spend breastfeeding, your periods should start to return to their usual routine. You may notice some spotting light bleeding at first.

If you have irregular periods while breastfeeding, such as continued spotting, heavier than normal bleeding or long cycles, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor because there may be other causes apart from breastfeeding. Your doctor will need to conduct a thorough examination and may need to order some tests to exclude other causes.

If your period has come back, it means that you are fertile again and you could become pregnant, even while you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or nurse about contraceptive methods while breastfeeding. The return of your period should have little effect on your breast milk so you can continue to breastfeed if desired. Some women find a temporary drop in the amount of milk they produce just before their period starts or for a few days into it, but it will increase again when hormones return to their normal levels.

Your midwife or doctor will be able to give you further advice and information about your periods and breastfeeding. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content.

All you need to know about periods, including what's normal and what's not. Plus, see what happens inside your body during the different phases of a normal menstrual cycle. Read more on myDr website. Learn all about the menstrual cycle, what happens during a cycle, how long a menstrual cycle usually is and when you should seek help.

Read more on Jean Hailes for Women's Health website. After you've had your baby, you might be wondering how long until your periods return and if they will be the same as before your pregnancy. If you plan to birth your baby in a hospital, then choosing a Baby Friendly accredited hospital means that you have a better chance of establishing breastfeeding successfully and going on to exclusively breastfeed your baby for a longer period of time. Also, this would be a good time to consider a method of birth control that is compatible with breastfeeding unless another pregnancy is desired.

More information can be found at our resource page for Breastfeeding and Contraception. It is common to have a drop in supply at certain points in your cycle, often from mid-cycle to around the time of your period. It can also be less comfortable to nurse at this time. This is due to the hormonal changes and is only temporary. Our book The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding states that:. Birth Control Breastfeeding and Fertility.

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Dullo P, Vedi N. Changes in serum calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorus levels during different phases of the menstrual cycle. J Hum Reprod Sci. American Pregnancy Association. Gross BA, Burger H. Breastfeeding patterns and return to fertility in Australian women. Danforth DN. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. Gibbs RS, editor. Ellison PT. Breastfeeding, Fertility, and Maternal Condition. Breastfeeding: Bicultural Perspectives.

Lawrence, Ruth A. Elsevier Health Sciences. Riordan, J. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Fourth Edition. Jones and Bartlett Learning. The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding. Random House Digital, Inc. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellFamily. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page.

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Post-Labor Bleeding. First Period After Birth. Affects on Breastfeeding. Your Period and Your Baby. Fertility Following Childbirth. Lochia starts out as bright red bleeding. It can be very heavy, and it may contain blood clots. Your Guide to Breastfeeding and Sore Nipples. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.

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