Wondering about BF and TTC......

[Ozziehoffy]

Does BF have any affect on TTC?? With Oskar and Joshua for that matter I fell pg first try. This time we're up to cycle # 3. The only difference is that I'm BF. So, does it affect things or is it just coincidence??

[{sarah}]

Yup it does. The hormone that produces breastmilk (baby brain can't remember the name) can affect implantation.

[Ozziehoffy]

Thanks Sarah. Kinda makes me feel sad cos it creates an awful crossroads in my mind. I think in a lot of ways I'd be able to give up BF but I don't think Oskar would have a bar of that! Thanks again.

[{sarah}]

It is absolutely possible though. Kelly fell pregnant with Elijah whilst still BF Marisa, so it can definitely happen. Don't give up hope & if you still want to BF I wouldn't give that up either. It just might take a bit longer.

[PinkPalace]

unfortunately for us we had to stop bfing completely before we fell pregnant with #2 .. and it was a big decision but we really wanted them close together
DD took to formula really well in a cup and pretty much weened in 2 days cold turkey so i figured she was ready anyhow

We got out BFP 4 weeks after stopping BF'ing completely.. so first cycle

[MantaRay]

Ozzie, generally bfing will stop ovulation for the first 6 months as long as you are bfing exculsively (ie no ff or solids), are feeding at least once in the night, and AF hasn't appeared. After that ovulation will restart at some point, this can be sooner for some women, later for others.

By the sounds of it, you are having AF already, so most likely are Ovulating. Bfing or not, it is entirely possible for you to fall pg in this case. I have not heard that the bfing hormones prevent implantation before - not to say that it's not true, but I don't think that's a common issue. I know several people who have fallen pg while bfing - myself included. Jack was 11 months when Tom was conceived after just 3 irregular cycles (with Jack we were TTC for a lot longer than that and I wasn't bfing!). So I would hang in there. The chances are it won't be too much longer for you.

[{sarah}]

My FS told my friend that he would not do an embryo transfer until she had finished BF because it woud affect the chances of implantation taking place. Not sure why, she didn't go into it with me.

[mbear]

i fell pregnant when DD#2 was 9 months old - i hadnt had AF post partum...so obviously Ovulated, and caught the eggy before my 1st AF was due to start - oh, we werent trying and i was on the mini pill too LOL....so yes, it can happen, even when you dont expect it.