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280369 tn?1316702041

Period while breastfeeding....

I posted this on the breastfeeding forum...but it's not that busy, so I decided to post it here as well!

How many of you ladies who are/were exclusively BFing got your period? I just had mine about a week ago...at least I think I did. I spotted for 2 weeks, then started to bleed for 4 days like a normal period....then it stopped. I thought I would be one of those lucky women who didn't get it!  =) But I guess not. We'll see what happens next month.

Another question...It seems that my supply is not as great as it use to be....I use to be able to pump and get 4-6oz with no problem...I haven't pumped in a couple of days, but I did today and only got 1oz!! I was shocked.
Is it because I didn't pump for those 2 days? I am trying to just pump and freeze it in case I have to go somewhere or need it for some reason like that. I usually pump in between Jeremiah's feedings. I have actually increased my water intake, but I was sick last week, and probably didn't drink enough during that time, could that have affected it in any way? I am clueless!
Thanks for any input! =)
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287246 tn?1318570063
I have had 5 and exclusively breastfed all of them for long periods of time.  Well, with my first, I only bf for about 4 months.  But with the rest of them, I bf for 7-10 months.  Sometimes I wouldn't get my period for several months, but with one, I got it like you, when the baby was only 2 months old.  So, it has varied for me from baby to baby even though I exclusively bf for those months.

Your supply will come in in an abundance at first.  You just have more milk than you know what to do with.  But once the baby gets a little older, your body begins to know what the baby needs and you won't have that "full" feeling all the time.  And I'm sure being sick did also affect it.  Just keep drinking lots of water and pumping and that will help.  Make sure to eat well and get extra calories as bf burns quite a few calories each day.  When my last baby was like 6 months old my doc gave me a prescription for some medicine that helped me produce more milk.  That is not what that medicine was for.  That was just a side effect.  But it did help.  If you need more info. on that, just let me know and I will give you the name.  But as long as Mr. Jeremiah is gaining enough weight, you are doing just fine :)
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Avatar universal
I have three boys and I only BF for three months with the first but with the second I didn't get a period until he was 8 months old and that was great!  However, with the third I had my first period, like you it sounds like, after I had bled for about three weeks when my baby was a month old.  I was breastfeed exclusively then too.  You also should know that the hormones that your body produces during your period lowers your production level for a short time so, that is probably another reason that you did not have as much milk.  Also, being sick does take more away from your milk as well since it needs to fight the virus to make you well  again.  It can also help to eat filling foods along with adding more water.  Just remember that your baby eats what you eat and if you eat filling and satisfying foods for yourself your baby will benefit as well.  Hope this helps.  Feel free to ask more questions.  Take Care and Good luck with the new baby.
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280369 tn?1316702041
thanks ladies! yea...i drank tons of water today...and Jeremiah seems to be satisfied now after each feeding! yay. i guess i just need to increase my intake. I was thinking maybe being sick would affect things...but hopefully, if i cont. to get my period...it won't affect anything. =)
Helpful - 0
419964 tn?1333301906
i wish i could answer that for you as i never personally experinaced bf but my twin sister didnt get her period for like 6 months while she was bfing and her supply did go down alot. but i would just increase your water intake :) good luck sorry i couldnt be of more help
Helpful - 0
251790 tn?1317312867
As far as the period while breastfeeding I don't know.  I didn't have a cycle the entire time I nursed my first and then with my second it started immediately after the first month like clockwork while exclusively nursing.  With the pumping thing, I would guess that it was most likely affected by being sick.  Just keep drinking plenty of fluids and eating well.   Good luck.
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