thread: Concieving and breast feeding

  1. #1
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Melbourne
    1,521

    Concieving and breast feeding

    Ok, so DH and I have decided we're ready to start trying for number 2. Number 1 is only 6 1/2 months old and still being breast-fed. How much is this likely to interfere with trying to concieve number 2?

  2. #2
    Registered User

    May 2004
    Shepparton
    4,871

    Have you begun cycling again? When was your last bleed?

  3. #3
    BellyBelly Member

    Jul 2006
    1,069

    Hey Tara

    I think it's such a individual thing as to how much bf'ing affects ovulation. Do you have any other signs that you may have resumed your cycle? (or at least ovulating etc)

    I have fallen pregnant 2 times while breastfeeding (I was even tandem feeding the last time!). The first pregnancy AF had returned, but the last pregnancy I hadn't even had a period yet after having my last baby. Although my babies were all a bit older than your one is now.

    All the best!

  4. #4
    Registered User

    Jun 2007
    Dandenong Ranges, Melbourne.
    5,673

    i fell pg with ds2 when ds1 was 7 months old and fully breastfed, so it is definitely possible!

  5. #5
    Registered User

    Nov 2008
    Melbourne
    1,521

    Well period hasn't returned but have had cramping where I thought period was coming. However, I've always had a really irregular cycle as it was and hadn't had a bleed in two months when I conceived Noah. So I guess the answer is I have no idea whether
    i've started ovulating again or not Bit silly I guess

  6. #6
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Gold Coast, Queensland
    945

    It is definitely possible to conceive while BFing. My son is living proof (DD was 15 1/2 months when I conceived DS). DD only self-weaned half way through my pregnancy. I know quite a few women who did conceive while BFing. However, their kids were a little older than yours. Although I also know a few who have conceived within a few months of their first bubba's birth, despite the fact that they were full time BFing).

    Chances are with your first child still so young that you either haven't started to ovulate yet, or are just starting. Whether or not you have your period is not a good indication on whether you are ovulating or not (you can have a period without ovulation and you can ovulate before having a period).

    Weaning your bubba may or may not help bring back your fertility. There is no fool-proof formula. If I was you I would start to TTC without pressure (if you can find the time with a little baby in the house ;-) If you haven't conceived by the time your baby is 1, you might want to think about stepping up your efforts. If still not pregnant after a few months, you might want to consider weaning him to increase your chances, if you feel an urgency to conceive (if you haven't weaned him yet). But I think at this point it is just too early to focus on TTC too much. Not that i think it is too early to conceive, but your body might just not be ready (BFing or not) and putting too much pressure on yourself or your partner might just be that: too much pressure. On the other hand, you might fall pregnant instantly and this might be a welcome surprise.

    Lots of luck! Having 2 kids is so much work - and even more fun!
    Sasa
    xx
    Last edited by sunshine_sieben; January 11th, 2010 at 12:11 PM.

  7. #7
    Registered User

    Dec 2007
    1,039

    I was also wondering this??? We had to use IVF/ICSI to get pregnant with DS but we are hoping to try a la natural for a while. I haven't had AF yet either.... Not ready just yet cause DS is too young...but I may keep an eye on this thread
    All the best for number 2!
    Rach xx

  8. #8
    Registered User

    Aug 2004
    Hunter Valley, Wine Country, NSW
    3,006

    #2 was conceived 5.5 months after the birth of #1, we had planned throughout pregnancy that we`ll let nature take it`s course, I was fully breastfeeding around the clock but that didn`t stop AF arriving 8 weeks post birth.

  9. #9
    Registered User
    Add UntoldAngel on Facebook

    Nov 2009
    Between concrete walls
    1,885

    I say definately possible... my mum conceived my brother when I was 2-3months old, and my youngest brother 3months after that pregnancy iftm... and all us kids were soley bf
    Good Luck

  10. #10
    BellyBelly Member

    Jun 2005
    Sydney
    2,121

    It is possible....but everyone is so very different when it comes to this situation. Some women get AF 8 wks after birth...others can still be b/f their 18mth old and never yet ovulated.
    I too have conceived twice whilst b/f - babies were 10 mths, and 11 mths. First time i never got AF post partum, second time i had 1 x AF. Looking at this track record, i think my body just kicks into fertile mode around the 9-10mth mark....your body maybe tuned to kick into fertile mode next week, next month,or when baby is over 12 months of age...its a guessing game really....

  11. #11
    Registered User

    Feb 2008
    6

    Hi,

    I have been TTC whilst breastfeeding for the past 8 months and had to totally wean my bubba (I waited until he was 13 months old) in order to try and start to conceive. It took 1 month for my period to come back. I have only had 2 cycles since and they have been spot on (28 days) so I am hoping and praying that I will fall pregnant soon.

    My friend fell pregnant when her bubba was 6 months old when she was exclusively breastfeeding and on the mini pill so everyone is different.

    Good luck :-)

  12. #12
    Registered User
    Add JennaJayen on Facebook

    Oct 2008
    Kallangur, QLD
    1,390

    It is definately possible. My step-mum was solely BFing my little sister when she fell preg with my little brother, before she got her first post-baby AF. There is only 11 months age difference between them.
    Myself, I didn't even get to BF DS, so I have no experience in that department.
    Good Luck with TTC #2!

  13. #13
    Registered User

    Jul 2006
    Logan
    2,991

    Sorry to crash this thread, But what are the signs that your cycles may be returning?

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Add JennaJayen on Facebook

    Oct 2008
    Kallangur, QLD
    1,390

    BekZ - I can't really help you there as I got af again 2 weeks after my post-partum bleeding stopped (post-partum bleeding only last 2 1/2 weeks anyway). I hope one of the other girls has a better idea. I just had cramping a few days prior to bleeding a couple of times, and other times no symptoms at all.

  15. #15
    Registered User

    Oct 2006
    Gold Coast, Queensland
    945

    Getting your period is an indicator, but is not a sure sign.
    It is basically the same as when you are trying to interpret your fertility signs for TTC:
    Increased cervical mucus, change in cervical texture and position and possible cramping and basal temperature rise around Ovulation.
    Some women also get sore breasts, bloating, etc.
    HTH,,
    Sasa

  16. #16
    BellyBelly Life Subscriber

    Jan 2006
    11,633

    Good luck Tara!
    (maybe you should update your avatar...?)