i am breastfeeding my three month old son. my period has not come back yet, but for two and 1/2 days i have been lightly spotting. what could this mean? is this normal? could i be pregnant?
2006-07-18 07:25:45 · 15 answers · asked by Aayah 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
does this usually happen b4 the period returns?
2006-07-18 07:28:47 · update #1
i am only breastfeeding- nothing else
2006-07-18 07:29:17 · update #2
A lot of women do have spotting before their first period while breastfeeding. If this is the case, it is a warning that your fertility is returning and that you can no longer assume you can't get pregnant. (A woman who is exclusively nursing a baby under 6 months old is 98% protected from pregnancy--a higher effectiveness rate than the Pill. Once you have *any* bleeding, this is no longer the case.)
To understand the *real* facts, please read _Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing_ by Sheila Kippley--some of the answers above are just so full of misunderstandings!! Almost *all* women do have periods while breastfeeding, but not usually during the first 6 months. (I have a friend, however, who nursed exclusively and got her period back around 3 months with all of her kids, so it *does* happen.)
There is no reason you can't keep nursing. *Some* babies seem a bit fussy during the first cycle or two when you have your period. Just nurse him more frequently if he needs it, and it will be fine.
If you are fertile, you also *could* be pregnant, but it is *highly* unlikely. As I wrote above, you have less than a 2% chance of conceiving *before* your first period during the first 6 months of your baby's life. In fact, if you get your period back so early, you are likely to not be fertile for the first few cycles, although this is not necessarily the case--and, again, see the book above for details. You may not actually be ovulating, or you may be ovulating and have your period too soon after ovulation to be fertile (if there's not enough time between ovulation and menstruation for a fertilized egg to implant, you cannot get pregnant).
Your first few periods may be shorter or longer, or heavier or lighter than usual. Your cycle length may also be short or long. After a few cycles, it will probably be about what was normal for you before you got pregnant. And it is likely, although not definite, that you will get your period back early after any future children you have.
I hope this helps!!
2006-07-18 07:43:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If" you're breastfeeding your baby exclusively, day and night, you may not menstruate again for up to a year after giving birth. If your baby sleeps through the night at an early age, your period will likely return sooner — typically within three to eight months. The same is true if you're supplementing with formula. In other words, the more often your baby nurses, the longer it may be before you get your period again. Experts believe this is because breastfeeding curbs the hormones that trigger ovulation. But remember, you could start ovulating again at any time and you probably won't know when it happens. If you want to make sure you don't get pregnant, use some form of birth control every time you have sex. "
2006-07-18 14:30:07 · answer #2 · answered by fuhreezing 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it is pretty common for breastfeeding to throw off a period. Breastfeeding can make it a lil harder to get pregnant BUT, IT'S still very possible. You can just take a test to ease your mind. If you are not wanting another baby this soon look into some kind of back up birth control thats NOT hormonal like a IUD.
2006-07-18 14:29:45 · answer #3 · answered by ally'smom 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First off, don't let anyone tell you that you can't get your period while breastfeeding or that it is any means of birth control because that is not true. My 4 month old is exclusively breastfed and I got my period after I had him for 6 weeks and it started out the same way. Sorry to get your hopes down but that's what I have read and asked my doctor.
2006-07-18 15:05:59 · answer #4 · answered by Cici Tater 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sweat heart...I breast fed my son for 10 1/2 months and never got my period until I stopped. It was a blessing in disguise. I loved not having my period. Enjoy it! But the spotting could be that you just have your period lightly, but it wouldn't hurt to take a test. Enjoy that baby!!!!!
2006-07-18 15:28:36 · answer #5 · answered by blueyegurl0283 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be the first signs of a returning period. Or it could just be some excess junk that hung on for this long. My period didn't come back until I had stopped breast feeding. My doc said that was typical. If you're worried about it, or if you seriously think you could be pregnant again, go to your OB/GYN as soon as possible to get checked out. Just to be safe.
2006-07-18 14:37:41 · answer #6 · answered by rocknrobin21 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually a woman's period does not return until breast feeding has stopped . ..thus no ovulation is occuring. However in some cases it does occur or the period returns. If you are not solely breast feeding but are suplementing with formula it could mean your milk is attempting to dry up and you need to increase your nursing or pumping schedule.
2006-07-18 14:28:36 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi... it took me 7 months to get my period back after my c-section. I also breastfed. This is normal. If you think you're prego take a test... but it might just be a light period.
2006-07-18 14:29:46 · answer #8 · answered by Queen of Kings 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Darling my period didn't come back for 5mths, but I'm curious you're having sex already.
Well everyone's different.
But it's real easy to get pregnant, during those mths when your period is kinda wack.
Do a preg test, ease your mind.
2006-07-18 14:32:26 · answer #9 · answered by scabs32 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It May be Coming Back On
2006-07-18 15:59:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋