Is it Normal to Have Periods While Nursing?
The amount of time it takes for you to start menstruating after giving birth varies greatly from woman to woman. The average time for a mother who is nursing full time is six months, but it is possible to start within weeks.You can delay your menstrual cycle up to 16 months or longer by doing the following:
Do not give your baby any liquids or solids other than breastmilk.
Always allow for comfort-feeding.
Do not use a bottle or a pacifier.
Co-sleep or have your baby at least an arms reach away.
Breastfeed on demand without sticking to any set schedules. The more you breastfeed, the longer your period should stay away. Nurse at least six times per day.
Always stay close to your baby and avoid being apart. Carrying your baby in a sling or carrier is recommended.
Breastfeed your baby at night, too. Nurse at least once at night.
You are more likely to start menstruating earlier than six months after giving birth if:
Your baby is sleeping more than 6 hours at night and more than 4 hours during the day.
Your baby is eating solid foods.
You are supplementing your nursing with formula or water bottles.
Your baby uses a pacifier or a binky.
Your progesterone levels are low.
If your period returns, then you are fertile. This is an indication that you have started to ovulate again. However, due to hormone fluctuations, your periods may be extremely irregular. When you are on your period, your milk is still good for the baby. It does not sour or go bad like some old wives tales may suggest. The milk is still nutritious. However, some mothers notice a temporary drop in their milk supply in the days just prior to a period and for the first few days of bleeding. This, again, is due to hormone fluctuations. Once your period begins and the hormones level out, your milk supply will return to normal. Most babies will adjust to this drop by nursing more often.
Nipple tenderness, feelings of restlessness, and anstyness are also temporary feelings of shifting hormones. Sometimes these shifts can cause the milk to taste a little different which means your baby may not nurse quite as enthusiastically as normal. Again, this is temporary and will pass quickly. If you are nursing on demand; keeping your baby next to you for the majority of the day with a sling or carrier, allowing them to sleep next to you; not supplementing with a bottle or using a pacifier for all of their comfort sucking; then, you should have at least 4 to 6 months before your cycles will begin again.
Many mothers may feel that they want to wean their babies when their periods begin. This is always a personal choice; however, the longer you breastfeed, the better it is for you and your baby.