Falling pregnant whilst breastfeeding??

[JellyBean]

I want to breastfeed bub 1# for a minimum of a year (til Feb 09), possibly longer. However, I would also like to start TTC in summer next year (Jan/Feb). I am quite particular about when I want to fall pregnant next as I desperately want to avoid spending another 3rd trimester in the hot aussie summer, and preferably would like to give birth to bub 2# in spring- like the animals!! (I know this sounds pedantic!)
It's just that if I miss the summer period early next year, I will have to wait until the latter half of the year to avoid spending the 3rd trimester in summer again. I'd prefer not to be preggas in summer at all if I can help it! The extra weight last summer just made the heat too much to bear.... I understand of course that I can wait until the following summer 09-2010 to fall pregnant, however I would like to start TTC sooner rather than later, IYKWIM!!
Ok, so my question is, what are my chances of falling preg whilst still breastfeeding?, or is it ridiculous for me to assume it possible?? Bub will be on solids by then so I will really be weaning... I would love to hear your advice, experiences etc. Oh- and when did your menstrual cycles resume- after or during BF? Thanks!!

[MantaRay]

JB, it's different for everyone. Bfing is 98%-ish effective in protecting against pg in the first 6 months only, as long as you are exclusively bfing (no formula or solids) and are feeding at least once during the night. After the first 6 months, some women will be able to fall pg and others won't ovulate for quite a while.

AF returned for me after 7 months the first time, and I fell pg again when DS1 was 11 months. The second time AF returned after 6 months. Once AF returns, it generally means you are ovulating again, and so can fall pg. But be aware that cycles can be irregular for a while when they return, and some women can go well over a year without AF. Also, if you are wanting to use bfing as a contraceptive, be aware that you can ovulate before your first AF.

I would be wary of having a specific time frame in which you want to conceive - bfing or no bfing these things don't always go to plan.

[Olive]

JB i got AF back when DD was 9 months, we continued BFing til 18 months, so you can still be feeding and get AF back

[Lulu]

Yep, did this one too. DS was fully BF'd, and a very frequent feeder and I still fell preg when he was 5 months old.

[aussienic]

I always get Af back approx 4 weeks after PP bleeding stops regardless of how often I was feeding..

I fell pregnant twice while BF. First time Ds2 was 10 months old and I was only expressing a couple times a day (he was full EBM) that pg ended in mc but I Bf my last son for 21 months and fell pregnant in the April and he stopped feeding in the May.. Miss Olivia is now here.. Fully breast fed and I am a 21 day cycle..

[mbear]

I fell pregnant when DD#2 was 10 months old. I never had AF post birth with DD#2......so ovulated before my first AF and obviously caught the eggy.....- everyone is different though....i know the chances of falling pregnant in the first 6 months are a lot, lot slimmer than after 6 months (when there is the introduction of solids). But in saying that, everyone is different....im also extremely fertile, fall pregnant just by thinking about it...well, not really, but have fallen pregnant very easily each time...


Agree with Mantaray.....its really a waiting game and when AF arrives for us is anyones guess.....

[Michelle71]

AF returned 6 months after giving birth and we conceived when DS was 10 months - on solids but still feeding 4-8 times per day including 1-3 feeds overnight. And this was after needing clomid for the previous 2 pregnancies so it is definitely possible

[JellyBean]

Thanks for your replies. I know I am totally getting ahead of myself here- I'm just excited at the idea of future family planning!! Fingers crossed AF will return whilst I'm still BF (albeit not too soon!) and I can start TTC early next year... My main concern was having to cease BF earlier than I'd like in order to increase my chances of conceiving, but hopefully I will be able to have my cake and bub have his milk too...

[JordieC]

I am not TTC but got my AF when DD was 4 months - man I was I annoyed! oh well - plenty of the girls in my mum groups have got theirs back too so you might find that happens for you. Good luck!

[Fire Fly]

I feel pg with DD#3 when DS was 9 months. He was on solids and feeding 4 hourly still. I only got one period before i fell pregnant again. So yes its possible. I fed him till a month before she was born and that wasnt my decision. Unfortunatey he had had enough.

[Beach Mama]

Isabelle was on about 5-6 feeds a day at 7mths old, and I never got AF back and fell pg. I think it really depends on each person really. Good luck with it all and there is nothing wrong with planning!