Can you menstruate while breastfeeding

The return of your period may not have any effect on your baby or your milk supply all. Some infants continue to breastfeed well and without any issues. On the other hand, some infants will not like the taste of the breast milk or the drop in the amount of breast milk that can happen when your period returns.

Your baby may:. These changes in your baby's behavior should only last a few days. Then, your child should settle back into her regular breastfeeding routine. If you do not see any improvement in a few days, you should talk to your doctor. Breastfeeding can put off the return of your menstrual cycle for many months, a year, or even longer.

It depends on your body and how often and how long you decide to breastfeed. Your period may stay away longer if you:. Once you are breastfeeding less often such as when your baby is sleeping through the night or you begin weaning, your period is more likely to start up again. Although, some women don't get their period for a few months after breastfeeding has completely ended. When it finally shows up, breastfeeding more often will not get it to stop again.

Pumping or expressing breast milk by hand does not have the same effect on your body as breastfeeding does. If you choose to pump and bottle feed your baby, it will not hold off your period.

When your period returns, you should consider yourself fertile. Your doctor will most likely talk to you about your birth control options during your first postpartum doctor visit at approximately four to six weeks after your baby is born. If not, bring it up and be sure to tell her that you're breastfeeding since some types of birth control can interfere with your supply of breast milk.

You can release an egg from your ovary ovulate before your period returns. Therefore, there is a chance that you can become pregnant while you're breastfeeding even before your period comes back. So, if you're involved in an intimate relationship, and you're not using birth control, it is possible to find yourself expecting again without ever getting your first postpartum period.

Breastfeeding can affect your period, and your period can affect breastfeeding, your breast milk, and your baby. While many women do not notice any changes when their period returns, some women experience inconvenient or concerning issues. Luckily, the most common breastfeeding problems that result from the return of your period are temporary.

Of course, you may decide that the sore nipples and extra work it takes to keep up your milk supply are just too much. While it's still safe and beneficial to breastfeed when you have your period, some moms choose to wean once their period returns. It may even be easier if the baby is breastfeeding less due a lower breast milk supply and change in the flavor of the milk. While it's true that the longer you can breastfeed, the better it is for you and your child, it's really up to you and what works best for your family.

Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Puerperal loss lochia in women with or without inherited bleeding disorders. Am J Obstet Gynecol. Jackson E, Glasier A. Return of ovulation and menses in postpartum nonlactating women: a systematic review. Obstet Gynecol. Acute changes in the composition of milk during the ovulatory menstrual cycle in lactating women.

J Physiol Lond. Dullo P, Vedi N. Changes in serum calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorus levels during different phases of the menstrual cycle. J Hum Reprod Sci. American Pregnancy Association. Gross BA, Burger H. Breastfeeding patterns and return to fertility in Australian women. Danforth DN. 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.

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. Learn more here about the development and quality assurance of healthdirect content. All you need to know about periods, including what's normal and what's not.

Plus, see what happens inside your body during the different phases of a normal menstrual cycle. Read more on myDr website. Learn all about the menstrual cycle, what happens during a cycle, how long a menstrual cycle usually is and when you should seek help.

Read more on Jean Hailes for Women's Health website. After you've had your baby, you might be wondering how long until your periods return and if they will be the same as before your pregnancy. Once you start to ease up on breast-feeding, especially after the first year as your baby gains more nutrition from foods, your periods will start to normalize again.

You might even get your next period four weeks after delivery. How late is too late for a period to come? We'll break down how to know if it's late or just not coming this month and some common reasons why.

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A period menstruation is normal vaginal bleeding that is a natural part of a woman's healthy monthly cycle. This article details the process. Get the answers to your most burning period poop questions, from wiping tips to how to keep your tampon string clean. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Medically reviewed by Karen Gill, M. Hormones and Breast-Feeding. What Stops Periods? Changes in Feedings. When Your Cycle Normalizes.