ttc whlie breastfeeding, do i stop b/f?

[girlygirl]

Hi
Im in a bit of a dilema. I want number 2 and im still breastfeeding. My daughter is 8 monhts and i only wanted a 18month ish gap between babies.
I love breastfeeding so i dont really want to stop, but might have to.
Ive just cut down feeds and now feed only 7am 3pm and 8-9pm. She used to feed alot more as i gave her comfort feeds for her naps...naughty i know! But ive stopped that now. She doesnt take much at 3pm so may replace this with formula (grugingly) to see if periods return. Then id just feed morning and evening.

Has anyone been in this situation? It only took 3 months to conceive Rhiannon so hopefully it wont take too long. Then again i hear you can conceive when feeding? But surely you have to have your period back 1st?

Oh im confused. what to do. It upsets me tho think i may stop feeding soon but i do want number 2 too.

How long does it take to stop feeding too, i guess it takes a few weeks to reduce milk to avoid getting engorgment, god that must hurt to stop!

 

[kelsey]

Go to kellymom.com it has loads of info on this


And good luck hun xxx

 

[DaisyRose]

Hiya,

I'm assuming your cycles have returned to normal. I do know a few women who have conceived when BF. I stopped when trying for my 2nd and 3rd but had a bigger age gap than you want. Doc said it would improve my chances but I'd say give it a go first before stopping and see if anything happens, and if not you can always stop.

Good luck.

 

[maybebaby]

I got my period back by 6 months with Austin, shortly after we introduced solids. They were really irregular though, right up until I conceived. By the time we started TTC #2 (when Austin was 9 months) I was breastfeeding twice a day (morning and afternoon) but dropped the afternoon feed after the first month. Austin self-weaned 2 weeks before his birthday and that was the month I got pregnant - I don't know if it was just a coincidence though as it was the 4th cycle trying.

Your best bet is to work out if you're actually ovulating - if you haven't had a period yet chances are you aren't but it's not unheard of. Have a look in TTC for some more info on how to do this if you're not sure.

Good luck hun,

 

[girlygirl]

Thanks for the replies. no my periods havent returned yet. someone suggested i have a blood test done to see my hormone levels as they do that in New Zealand. The NHS prob wont do it here tho.
I think im going to carry on feeding and try as rhiannon loves it and so do I. I just hope periods return soon.

 

[fothers]

I am in the same boat as you and wondering about taking vitex to see if it kickstarts my period. Can't decide whether too or not?

good luck

 

[beanie]

I conceieved whilst still breastfeeding but my periods had returned when my eldest was 10 months old. If you are enjoying it I wouldn't stop, just see how it goes. Its nature's way of spacing out your pregnancies making nsure your body is ready for another pregnancy

 

[mum's the word]

I conceived while breastfeeding (DS was 9 months and I'd had periods for 3 months). I carried on breastfeeding for another 3 and a bit months too.
Good luck!