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?

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

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! :)

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

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 :)

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

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

#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.

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

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....

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 :-)

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!

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

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.

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

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