Breastfeeding can delay menstruation due to the suppression of reproductive hormones, but the length of delay varies. Prolactin enables breastfeeding, but as babies eat solid foods and breastfeed less, ovulation can occur. Breastfeeding frequently can delay periods, but some women still menstruate while breastfeeding.
In most cases, breastfeeding can delay menstruation after delivery, although the length of delay varies from mother to mother. Indeed, some women observe menstruation while breastfeeding, as early as six weeks after giving birth. Others don’t get their period until their baby turns two, as long as they still breastfeed often. Delayed periods while breastfeeding are usually due to suppression of reproductive hormones, which is why most women don’t ovulate until they stop breastfeeding their baby. Those who menstruate while breastfeeding often notice irregular periods until the baby is weaned.
The hormone that enables women to breastfeed is prolactin, and as long as the baby is exclusively breastfed, the prolactin level should remain high. This usually results in suppression of reproductive hormones, meaning ovulation and menstruation are generally kept at bay. Of course, as babies get older, they tend to sleep through the night and eat solid foods, which means they breastfeed less often. This allows prolactin levels to drop, which can lead to ovulation. Therefore, a woman hoping to prevent menstruation while breastfeeding is advised to ensure that her baby gets all of her nutritional needs through breast milk alone, at least until she is six months old.
After about six months, many babies start eating solid foods, which means they need fewer breastfeeding sessions. Additionally, their stomachs are large enough for them to sleep through the night, meaning nighttime feedings are typically unnecessary. For this reason, many mothers who start breastfeeding less frequently may menstruate while breastfeeding. While this may not be avoidable after your baby is six months old, as it’s important to start eating solid foods, this outcome can be prevented in younger babies. Women who wish to delay their periods while breastfeeding are often encouraged to breastfeed their baby every few hours, even at night, and also to allow their baby to nurse instead of using a pacifier.
Of course, some women still get their period despite breastfeeding, especially if they occasionally supplement with formula or encourage their baby to sleep through the night. These women can expect their first periods to be lighter or heavier than their flow before becoming pregnant. It is also considered common for the period to come only every few months while the mother is still breastfeeding. It should return to normal once the baby is weaned off the breast.
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