Period while breastfeeding?

I had my son a little over four months ago and have been exclusivley breastfeeding since he was born. I did bleed a little longer then they say you should after delivery. They say 6 weeks it took me 10 weeks until it stopped. I havnt had a period since the bleeding stopped. The last few  days I had to work about 5 hours, my son eats about every 3-4 hours. So me feeding him was just a an hour or two off schedule. This morning I woke up bleeding and I think I got a period. my doctor told me your not suppose to get a period when your breastfeeding so this is stumping me a little. Is it because me nursing him was a little off this last week? Am I doomed to have a period every month now? Can someone help me out on what's going on?    

[AHP84]

You most likely have no need to worry. ☺ You CAN have your period while you're breastfeeding, although the cycle is generally off and you won't have a typical 28 day (or however many days is your average) cycle.
I breastfed my first until he was 8 months old, and I bled post pardum for about 6-7 weeks. I got my periods back regularly when he was about 5½ months old.

[Ecologic]

I got my periods when my son was 9 weeks. He had refused the breast for about 5 days after we had left the maternity and even though I was pumping all day long, I was not pumping at night at this time, I was giving him formula at night. Once he accepted the breast again, I nursed him again at night but I guess it was too late and my periods came back sooner than anticipated.

[blessedmomof3]

It is different for everyone. I have a friend who breast feeds and was getting her periods since about 2 months, I breast feed as well and just got my first period in 9 months. In fact, I had 2 periods this month....LOL My Dr. was not concerned at all and said it is all normal. Everyone's bodies are different and re-act differently. Some people get it every month, and some are speratic, and other are like every other month....ect....ect. This is what my Dr. told me right after my baby was born. She also told me that just because I had 2 periods this month does not mean I will have one next month at all. So, it is all normal.

[pameladawn414]

My midwife knew a lady who was exclusively breastfeeding yet got pregnant again only 8 WEEKS!! after giving birth to her child!! Crazy but apparently possibly, so everyone, make sure your using protection regardless of breastfeeding or not! Lol.

[zazou]

Every woman's body is different. I bleed for around 9-10 weeks and got my period 5 months post-partum and was exclusively breastfeeding. On the other hand, my sister got her period when she weaned (11 months post-partum), so it really is different for each woman.

[jmks]

My mother is a pediatrician and she made sure to warn me after I had my daughter that while it works for SOME women, the notion that if you exclusively breastfeed you will not have a cycle is a MYTH so you should never trust it as a birth control. So after my six weeks wellness check up I got on a breastfeeding friendly birth control and that made my period stop completely for about 8 months.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

As others have said, we are all different.  Can't believe your doc told you that you don't have a period when you are nursing.  It is usually quite delayed, but yes you certainly can have your period.  My youngest is 13 1/2 months old and I am still breastfeeding her.  She never had any formula.  I bled about 6-7 weeks post pardum and then resumed having periods when she was 9 months old.  Even though I have been having regular periods, they have been super long cycles and I know it is because of the breastfeeding.  But even with that, each woman is different.

[mature_enough]

Wow, your doctor really shouldn’t have said that! Breastfeeding mothers DO get their period… My period came back only a few months afterward as well, and my daughter never touched formula and fed every two hours! She was extra demanding. Don’t worry, there is nothing wrong with you. A period after four months is normal.

[mature_enough]

Oh, and I am still BF and my daughter is over 14 months... If I would never get a period as long as I was breastfeeding, I wouldn't be preggers right now. haha Silly Dr. I would definitely address this issue with your doctor misinforming you. Maybe it was a misunderstanding, or he is in need of further edu.