BFing moms - first pp period?

When did you get your first pp period? Was it awful? How long did it last? More or less painful than before? Did it affect your supply?

DS is 8 months and mine just started yesterday. For the past few weeks, I've been feeding less - he's been getting bottles from after his morning nap until bedtime - and I wonder if that's brought it on. I've been going back and forth about continuing to BF because I'm worried that he's not getting enough milk during the day, but part of me is not quite ready to give up either. I wonder if I won't be able to keep going because of lack of supply and the decision is being made for me

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

Dang...I wish I remember when I got mine after Ella....I BF for 15.5 months, exclusively! I think AF showed up when Ella was 13 months old, maybe 14....I know it was close to a full 2 years without AF from being PG to that first PP AF. It is SO much worse now....heavier, cramps can be more painful and the bloating is TERRIBLE

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

With DD #1 I got my first one at 4.5 wks pp then I didn't get it again until 7mths pp and then every month after that. The first few times were very heavy but then slowly returned to my normal periods. With DD#2 I just got my first pp period this time at 8wks, and even though I have an IUD in place now (paraguard) which can make your periods much heavier by itself, suprisingly my period was fairly light just like the periods I was used to when I was on bcp. Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that I am EBF and it's my 2nd baby?

ETA: the first period with DD#1 at 4.5 wks was only slightly on the heavy side while the one I got 7mths pp was much heavier.

Message edited 3/27/2010 12:11:58 PM.

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

I got mine right before he turned 5 months. I don't remember it being bad. Yes it did affect supply but not much. was able to continue Bfeeding until about 2 weeks after he turned one. The more you supplement the less milk you make. If your baby is growing then he's getting enough from you!

Message edited 3/27/2010 1:24:29 PM.

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

For older DS, I went 10 mos PP until AF arrived. It wasn't very heavy but the cramps were worse than before I had a baby.

For younger DS, I just got AF last week....He's barely 4.5 mos old and we're not even on any solid foods yet. (I was hoping to be AF-free for a bit longer )

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

I got mine 11.5 months PP (this past Dec.) it has been pretty irregular since then, sometimes it'll last over a week but be very light and other times it is only here for 3 days but is heavy. I also got it twice in Dec and Jan. Feb and March were once, so it seems to be regulating.

It isn't any worse than before DS, it may actually be a little easier.

I am also still nursing DS (he is 15 months) and have been wondering about trying to ween him. I am not really ready to give it up and he enjoys it but part of me feels like it is time, I'm not sure why.

Good Luck with your decision, it is a hard one.

ETA: I don't think it has affected my supply

Message edited 3/27/2010 2:46:52 PM.

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

oops meant to edit not quote

Message edited 3/27/2010 2:46:35 PM.

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

I think I bled for a day at exactly 3 months but it was just that one time (yes, a cruel joke!).

I'll say I probably got it for "real" maybe 4-6 weeks later (I honestly don't pay attention that much!). I don't feel it had any effect on my supply (I believe all my supply issues came from pumping at work and fenugreek really addressed it - I only stopped when I got sick in the beginning of February because at that point I was only nursing her in bed with me and being sick I felt I shouldn't be that close, breathing on her).

The period itself wasn't and hasn't been bad or long (compared to pre-pregnancy).


ETA: Ugh, does that mean you're gonna be "moody" when I see you??

Message edited 3/27/2010 3:22:45 PM.

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

It was this week...DD just turned 13 months. And it SUCCCKKKSSSSS.

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

DS was 7 months. I had a huge drop in supply the week before and during AF. It pretty much went back to normal after that. My supply took a huge hit at 9 months, but I think that had more to do with DS eating more solids and me not nursing/pumping as much. I had a pretty good freezer supply so that helped me make it to a year of EBFing. I continued to nurse 1-2 times per day until DS decided to wean at 15 months.

Your supply should go back up soon. Drink a lot of water and nurse/pump often.

ETA: My first one was extremely light, but the second one was awful. I think it went back to normal after that although I had long cycles at the beginning.

Message edited 3/28/2010 5:59:52 AM.

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

I got my 1st AF at 8 months pp.

My supply was really low the week before, as well as the week during.

It was very very heavy- just awful!

I got AF again about 40 days later... not as bad... still a dip in supply the week of, but not as heavy and/or crampy.

My period is worse than it was previously to having DS- but right now Im not on birth control, so Im thinking that may have something to do with it.

Re: BFing moms - first pp period?

Posted by Wendy
ETA: Ugh, does that mean you're gonna be "moody" when I see you??