Did AF come back at the same time for you after each baby?

**Heaven** · April 4th, 2011, 02:12 PM

Just wondering if I can expect AF to stay away for a long time again. Didn't get it back until DD1 was 14 months last time. And then I only had it once and was pregnant

I don't want to take the pill or anything. I would use condoms if I had to but I don't really like them. DD2 is fully BF so wondering if for now I'm safe to not use any contraception? But don't want AF to surprise me by coming back early!

***Efjay*** · April 4th, 2011, 02:17 PM

Sort of. For me it linked up with when they started walking. So my 1st they returned around 11 months (DS was walking at 10 months) Both 2 & 3rd they were walking around 12 months & AF returned around 13 months & with number 4, he didn't walk to 15 months & AF returned at 16 months.

**Olive** · April 4th, 2011, 02:17 PM

with DD1 it was 9 months, she was sleeping through from around 8 weeks and fully BF
DD2 its was 6 months and she fed around the clock!

**feeb** · April 4th, 2011, 02:19 PM

DS1 AF returned at 6 months and I was still feeding overnight.
DS2 AF returned at 10 months and still feeding through the night. But was and am tandem feeding.

**lilima** · April 4th, 2011, 02:23 PM

With both of mine it was around six weeks. It is no way a reliable firm of contraception, so I suppose as long as you are happy that it may result in a pregnancy then it is ok.

**~Kim~** · April 4th, 2011, 02:27 PM

After DD it started at 6ish weeks and was random - fully BF
DS was 10months old

***Efjay*** · April 4th, 2011, 02:31 PM

Personally I think you would be safe enough. BUT it does come down to how you would feel about being pg again. Another method would be to chart or simply keep track of your cervix/CM & watch for any changes.

**Just Me** · April 4th, 2011, 02:36 PM

The age gap of my kids is the difference when AF returned each time.

After DD1 - it was 10 weeks. Had one AF and then was pg with DS1. Found out 4 weeks after AF returned that I wasn't making any milk as DD1 had lost nearly 2kg so while I was BFing, my milk production stopped.

After DS1 - BFing was more successful until 5 months. AF returned at the time that I stopped feeding him. Had one AF and got pregnant with DD2.

After DD2 - BFing was heaps more successful and no AF until she started solids at 6 months. I had one AF and then I got pregnant with DS2. I was still bfing DD2 until I was 11 weeks pregnant with DS2 (my milk dried up at that point).

Everyone is so different and every pregnancy is different. I would say I am fairly certain that I don't ovulate until I have had AF once after each baby and exclusive breast feeding is a fairly certain thing for me in the first months after I have a baby. However, we are done having kids and I don't want any surprises so as much as I am certain, I don't want to trust it.

I think that breastfeeding is a good form of contraception if you aren't too worried if you do get pregnant again. I wouldn't trust it if you really don't want another baby at the moment.

If you chart, you might be able to look more into this ... when you get pregnant your temp elevates and stays elevating. I think the same hormones are still working when you are pregnant to keep your temp elevated which means you may notice a drop for two weeks before you ovulate. I don't know for sure, but it might be something worth looking into. I noticed that pattern on my own charts before I got pregnant because even after the return of AF, I didn't ovulate 2 weeks later but I did notice a temp drop two weeks before I ovulated with 2 of my pregnancies. That might be a better way to tell, but I don't know if there is an research of evidence that would help you out with that ...

**OceanPrincess** · April 4th, 2011, 03:05 PM

No for me it has been completely different... DD was fully bf and AF returned once at 5mths, then nothing, then at 6.5ish mths then I was pg.

DS is almost 9mths and no sign of AF.

I wouldn't use it as a reliable source hun... Unless you are happy if you do fall pg.

**Cassius2** · April 4th, 2011, 03:13 PM

nup, different. DD1 was at 6 months on the dot (on our wedding night no less..urgh lol) and still waiting with DD2 (and both girls are fully BF although DD1 was sleeping through while DD2 is waking once overnight).

**boomba** · April 4th, 2011, 03:18 PM

Yes pretty well the same after DS2 it came back sooner I think?

You will probably safe but remember you dont need a period to fall pregnant...you could do it that one time and not know you have ovulated....just saying dont want to scare you :-P

**sneakysparkle** · April 4th, 2011, 06:12 PM

After DD#1 it was only about 8 weeks or so (was fully BFing)
DD#2 it took almost 13 mths!
totally random!

**Laranna** · April 4th, 2011, 06:22 PM

With DS it came back just before he was 7 months.

After DD, well, I'm still waiting for AF! DD is 15 months!

**Barb Glare** · April 4th, 2011, 09:51 PM

Hi,
If you are fully brestfeeding with no comps or foods, your baby is under 6mnths and you haven't had a period then it is highly unlikely that you will get pregnant. This method is about 97-98% effective. But, if any one of these conditions is breeched - then all bets are off. It is a very effective form of contraception though.