When to stop BF to TTC

[Charly's mum]

Just wondering when should I stop BF if I want to TTC in 2 to 3 months. I also haven't had AF will I need to stop BF to TTC. Am trying to BF until one year but would really love to have #2 in 2008.

It took 2 years to have Charly, well 1 year once I got assistance (clomid, needles & insertion). Kind of hoping my body knows what to do now.

[~Flossie~]

Charly, im not sure !

I know that my body showed signs of ovulation before my periods returned.. I eventually got them back after 7 months..

Are you able to use Clomid while pregnant? maybe pop into TTC while breastfeeding thread..

good luck

[MantaRay]

Once the baby is 6 months and therefore on solids, bfing is not longer considered to be a good contraceptive. Some people do find AF takes a year or more to come back, but it is more common to appear before that. In my case it came back after 7 months with Jack and 6 with Tom. And Jack wasn't a good solids eater and was still drinking lots of bm.

So, I wouldn't think that you would have to give up bfing to conceive. If you are keen to ensure your fertility returns quickly (if it hasn't already, you can o before AF arrives), then perhaps just increase the solids a little and introduce some water so you can cut back a little on the bfing. Also remember that the time between 1am and 5 am is apparently the time that has the most effect on fertility, so if you don't feed during those times, your fertility is more likely to return.

The benefits of feeding until 12 months, even if it is less feeds, is that you are reaching your goal, and that you can then go straight to cow's milk without having to worry about formula.

I also conceived no 2 much more quickly than no 1 and I was still bfing.

[Charly's mum]

Thanks MelanieR, Charly still loves the BF and not a huge solids fan yet but she loves to drink water as well. Charly is just starting to sleep through to after 5 for a feed so will keep this in mine and hopefully will make it to 12 months.

[ticklish]

Hi Charly's Mum,

My Ob's advice was to wait until 12 months and then take it from there - he wanted to prescribe Clomid when DS was 12 months old because of PCO and not having ever having had regular cycles if I wanted to TTC then.

It is not unusual to not have AF for 12 months or even more when BF.

My AF didn't return until DS was down to 2 feeds per day after 12 months of age. He self-weaned 2 months after that but I did manage to get regular AF once she returned even while still breastfeeding for the very first time in my life - so you never know. It is different for everyone. I now am trying acupuncture to keep the cycles regular, so far so good (fingers crossed!).

Good luck with the TTC in a few months time.
TICKLISH