Pregnant And Breastfeeding Support Thread

[VickyB20]

Hiya.  AF returned when #1 was 5 months old.  It was two weeks after she dropped the middle of the night feed, so I'm sure that's what shifted the hormones.

I had one other period and then got pregnant first month of trying when DD was 8 months old.  By then, she was nursing morning, mid-afternoon, bedtime and occasional dreamfeed (if she hadn't had a good bedtime feed).  Never more than 10 minutes each feed and sometimes just 2.  She went right off breastfeeding when I became pregnant though (I had major dip in supply)  and that was really the first sign that our attempts had been successful!

My cycles had always been regular (31 days).  Still waiting for AF to return since having my twins.

Good luck!

Vicky
x

[Erin (redstarfalling)]

When did your AF return after #1?

6 months

How often each day did you nurse & how long was each nursing session when your AF returned?

At least 4 times during the day and a few times overnight, usually for between 5-15 min each session

Were your cycles normal before/after #1?

Not completely - they were rather spaced out - like 40 day cycles to start, or it just varied a lot

How many times a day & for how long each time were you nursing when you got pregnant?

Twice a day for between 5-10 min each session

How old was #1 when you conceived #2?

16 months

I was charting and discovered my luteal phases were really short.  I read on here somewhere that some women need a certain amount of darkness at night to have long enough luteal phases (something to do with hormone stimulation) - with all the NWs we were having, plus the nightlight, etc, it was pretty bright.  I started sleeping with a face mask on, and NW also started getting better.  In one month my luteal phase went from 8 days to 14 days and the next month I got pregnant.  Just a little aside!  Good luck!

[lumpty]

Hi everyone!
I wish I had found this board about 5 months ago.

Hannah's mom- I got my cycle when my Hannah was 4 months and I was nursing 4 times a day. I got one cycle and got pregnant with my ds, who is 7 days old today.

I BF for almost 4 months of the pregnancy. It was sooooo exhausting. I was really upset about stopping but the pain in my nipples became excruciating.

Gotta run. Feeding time!

[VickyB20]

Lumpty - many congratulations on your new arrival!!
Vicky
x

[Monika aka annamum]

Hello Ladies!!

When did your AF return after #1?
Six months postpartum.
How often each day did you nurse & how long was each nursing session when your AF returned?
8-9 times a day, 5 minutes on average.
Were your cycles normal before/after #1?
My cycles were irregular before dd#1, they got very regular after I got my periods back.
How many times a day & for how long each time were you nursing when you got pregnant?
I was still nursing a lot when I got pregnant with 2, dd#1 was 26 months old. I think it was 4 times a day but nursing sessions were long sometimes and short sometimes.
How old was #1 when you conceived #2?

THANK YOU!!!

[Samuel's mum]

Hey - Monika. It's great to see you. How is it all going?

[Hannah's Mom]

oh, wow, ladies!  Thanks for sharing your experiences!  My dd is 20 months and the past few days at least she has been pretty insistent on nursing 4x a day.  My AF returned when she was 16 months, and my two cycles have lasted over 50 & over 60 days. (I'm hoping with that 60 day one, I just missed a month, kwim?, b'cuz dd was begging to nurse like crazy with her very first molars coming in--like 8-12/day!)  I'm eager to get preg soon because hubby has to start arthritis meds asap, and there's no ttc'n once they start.

interesting that that darkness/luteal phase really did work for you, Erin!  that's probably important for me to know with trying to get my cycles in shape.  And Lumpty, congrats on the new one! 

Again, thank you ladies!!!!!!!!!

[Samuel's mum]

How are you charting Hannah? Of course it's possible you are ovulating even without getting a menstrual bleed.

[evelyn]

Hi ladies!

I have been nursing Lily for 2 years now....4 times a day or maybe 5 if its a bad day.  Last night I took a second pregnancy test (it was negative 2 weeks ago) and it was positive ,  I reckon I am about 7 weeks pregnant, so I am now entering unknown territory!!!  My nipples have been quite sore for the past couple of weeks and I feel my supply has dwindled somewhat......but Lily says that there is plenty!

I am quietly hoping to myself that she will self wean soon , I am finding it hard to imagine feeding 2 at the same time, but it will be her choice hopefully!  I intend to order that book that a lot of you recommend and we will 'wing it'! 

So no problems, yet, just wanted to join in!

[deenz]

Congratulations Evelyn!!

[Samuel's mum]

Congrats Evelyn.
Adventures in Tandem Nursing will answer all your questions. Almost everyone does have a supply dip at some point (before the colostrum arrives) and you virtually dry up to nothing and that can be a window to wean if you really want to. But the more determined nursling will keep going regardless!
See how you feel.

[Hannah's Mom]

Congrats Evelyn!  (I'm sure that milk or no milk, my lo would still nurse anyway! )

Samuel's Mom, I haven't been keeping track fo my basal tempt because dd still wakes up at night, which I understand will throw that off if I'm up with her.  As to EWD, I seriously get it for a day or two every time there's a change in how much she nurses.  A week before my latest AF returned (which was last week), I had EWD for 5-7 days, so we really had been hoping that I'd actually ovulate that time.  AF only lasted 4 days and was pretty light, but it wasn't nearly as light as the implantation bleeding I'd had with Hannah. Maybe I should test just in case though. . . . Since I did finally have that solid period of EWD, we're hoping that if I take care of myself (more sleep, try that darkness all night long thing) things will work out this coming month.  Time will tell. . . .

Again, thank you Ladies!

[Samuel's mum]

Yes, it's my understanding basal temping isn't worth it in your situation. Lots and lots of baby dust from me.

[evelyn]

Thank you all for your best wishes

[Hannah's Mom]

Thanks, Samuel's Mom, and Evelyn--You're welcome!