AF only 3 months after baby :(

[graceworks]

Hi everyone,

AF arrived today much to my surprise. I am exclusively breastfeeding my little 3 month old daughter. I thought I would have months of freedom.

This is my first baby so I'm just curious. does the arrival of AF/returning of cylces change anything with breastfeeding? Did I do something "wrong" that AF returned so quickly?

ugh!!!

[seacat]

Nope. Mine came back at 4 months and DS is about to turn a year and we are still going strong.

[MandyLee]

The same thing happened to me, twice. I was (am) exclusively breastfeeding ... multiple time through the night, no pacifiers, etc., and I still got AF back at 3 months with DD1 and 4 months with DD2. I have no idea why. It shouldn't affect your supply, it didn't for me.

[graceworks]

thanks...I really hope you're right that it doesn't change anything about breastfeeding. I'm just really bummed about this. I loved not having a period lol I would tell people that the best thing about being pregnant is no AF!! Now I'm just sad about the return of cramps, mood swings, and general all around uncomfortableness

[mommajewels]

Not your fault, mama. I've never had delayed menses, despite EBFing.

I, too, got mine back at 3mos PP with my newest DD. No bottles, no binkies, no supplements WHAT SO EVER. She was (and is) a constant nurser, but it still came back at 3mos PP.

Some women (myself included) do experience a bit of a descrease in their supply when they are on their period. I've noticed it happens if I am not taking care to stay plenty hydrated. So my advice is to drink plenty of water while you are bleeding, to avoid that. But overall, it shouldn't interrupt your nursing experience.

Also remember, once ya bleed.. you're definitely fertile.

[kittyn]

I don't even get 3-4 months. I get my 2-3 weeks pp bleeding, and 2-3 weeks later I start with everything again.

Was that way with my mostly FF boy, and now with the BF 5 month old baby girl. I think I'm just unlucky

[redneckmama]

Same thing happened to me with dd2. No bottles, but she did take a binky and AF came back at exaclty 3 months pp. I also had a bit of a supply dip every month right before I started but we never had to supplement... she just nursed A LOT for a few days!

[MrsAsh]

I say you're lucky to get 3 months!! Mine returns 6 weeks PP. No fun!!!! And that was with DS1 EPing and then with DS2 EBFing.

[noahbriansmom]

Nope. The same thing happened to me. I was shocked! Got AF 3 months after having Noah. Even my mom was like there's no way it's AF because Noah BF so much. He was EBF too.

[graceworks]

thanks everyone for the support. oh well...now to research mama cloth or diva cup....