If you are breastfeeding your baby, your periods may not return for several months after childbirth. This is because the hormone that causes you to make milk, prolactin, also stops you from ovulating and having your period. If you are breastfeeding day and night, it can be up to a year before your period returns. Show
Many factors determine when your period will return when you are breastfeeding. These include:
If your baby is being fed only using bottles, you may find your periods return shortly after birth. Your first period after birthIf you breastfeed exclusively, your first period may not return for several months or 1 to 2 years if you keep breastfeeding. If you bottle feed or partially breastfeed your baby, your periods may return as soon as 3 weeks after having your baby. Once they do return, your periods may be irregular, especially if you are still producing milk (lactating). The duration of your period can also change. It is not unusual to skip a period, or even for it to be a few months before your next one. When you start reducing the amount of time you spend breastfeeding, your periods should start to return to their usual routine. You may notice some spotting (light bleeding) at first. If you have irregular periods while breastfeeding, such as continued spotting, heavier than normal bleeding or long cycles, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor because there may be other causes apart from breastfeeding. Your doctor will need to conduct a thorough examination and may need to order some tests to exclude other causes. If your period has come back, it means that you are fertile again and you could become pregnant, even while you are breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor or nurse about contraceptive methods while breastfeeding. Does having a period affect breast milk supply?The return of your period should have little effect on your breast milk so you can continue to breastfeed if desired. Some women find a temporary drop in the amount of milk they produce just before their period starts or for a few days into it, but it will increase again when hormones return to their normal levels. Your midwife or doctor will be able to give you further advice and information about your periods and breastfeeding. Not sure what to do next?If you are still concerned about your breastfeeding and periods, why not use healthdirect’s online Symptom Checker to get advice on when to seek medical attention. The Symptom Checker guides you to the next appropriate healthcare steps, whether it’s self care, talking to a health professional, going to a hospital or calling triple zero (000).
Pregnancy When you welcome a new baby, old routines can go out the window and your period is no exception. First things first. Congratulations mama! We’re often bombarded with information about the changes our bodies go through during pregnancy, but once our baby is born the attention leaves our bodies and focuses on our little one. Because of this, we can often feel lost about our body’s natural changes post pregnancy. The truth is, when it comes to your cycle, a lot can change after having a baby, and these changes can sometimes come as a surprise to new parents. While there’s no such thing as a “normal” postpartum period, we’re here to take out some of the guesswork and prepare you for the next stage in your pregnancy journey. What’s the deal with lochia?About a week after you’ve given birth, you’ll likely notice a discharge called
lochia. Lochia is typically creamy white to red in colour, but it’s not to be confused with your actual period. The main difference between lochia and your period is that lochia will be lighter and more watery. It may also have a sweet smell and, unlike your period, lochia’s flow will increase when you exert yourself. When will my period start again?When you get your period depends on a few factors. Typically, women who breastfeed on a regular basis will get their period later than those who bottle feed only. This is because the hormone prolactin, which is needed to produce breast milk, suppresses your reproductive hormones. With an increase in prolactin you’re unlikely to ovulate, which in turn means no period. On average, moms who fully breastfeed can expect their periods to start returning at around 6 months postpartum. If you don’t breastfeed, or don’t exclusively breastfeed, your period might return 1-3 months after giving birth.  Will my period be different?It could be! Your first period after pregnancy could be heavier than you’re used to, and then get lighter over time. Here are some other changes you might notice:
Tracking your flow both before and after your pregnancy can be a useful way to monitor the changes to your period after having a baby. This is where period tracking apps like Cycles can be very useful. Having a record of your symptoms can help you when visiting the doctor, or even for remembering what to expect after a future pregnancy. What to watch out forWhile it’s normal to experience changes in your menstruation after giving birth, there are some symptoms that require medical attention. Call your doctor if you notice any of the following:
The return of your menstrual cycle after having a baby can feel like a shock to the system. Though you can expect to notice a change from your pre-pregnancy periods, it’s important to listen to your body and check up on any symptoms that seem out of the ordinary. Find more tips for pregnancy, birth and beyond by following us @cycles.app! How long does it take to get your period after having a baby?When should I expect my first period after pregnancy? Your first period can come anytime between two and 12 weeks after delivery. For most women, it happens between six and 12 weeks. If you exclusively breastfeed, your period will likely be delayed until you give your baby solid food and other forms of milk.
How do I know if I started my period after birth?Bright red bleeding that occurs six or more weeks after delivery is more likely to be your period. Pregnancy-related bleeding can increase with increased exertion or activity. If your discharge increases with exertion and decreases when you rest, it's more likely to be lochia. Lochia also tends to have a distinct odor.
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When does your period start after birth
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