When To Expect First Period After Birth When Breastfeeding?

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New moms sometimes believe that if they exclusively breastfeed, they may prevent getting their period. However, it is just a myth, bringing to the question of when to expect the first period after breastfeeding?

The truth is that you will begin menstruation shortly after childbirth. Your postpartum menstruation may begin as soon as a few weeks after birth. However, there are instances when women might not be menstruating, even after prolonged lactation. This condition is called lactational amenorrheaⁱXAbsence of menstrual period in women, either temporarily or permanently (1). The lactational amenorrhea method is a lactational infertility that relies on the body’s natural mechanism of preventing ovulation while breastfeeding.

Continue reading to learn more about breastfeeding and menstruation.

Return Of Period While Breastfeeding

Your period shall return after the birth of your baby. If you are not breastfeeding, you can expect your cycle to return within 3 months. However, it might vary from mother to mother (2).

• Even if you are nursing, you can get back your periods. However, in some cases, your menstrual cycle may get delayed by about a year when you are breastfeeding. This delay occurs due to the increased prolactin release that inhibits estrogen levels required for ovulation, thus resulting in menstrual suppression.

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• When you are nursing round the clock, you can expect your cycles to stay away for greater lengths. Again, when you are not feeding so or offer the baby a pacifier and start weaning, you may start menstruating.

• In some cases, menstrual return may be delayed for a few months unless you have stopped breastfeeding completely.

• Once your period returns, it will continue every month. It will not stop or discontinue even if you start breastfeeding again.

Jeannie, a mother of four, shares her experience with her first period after giving birth on her YouTube channel. She says, ” With this baby, I just got it at 8 months postpartum. About a week before I got it, my back was so sore and killing me, and I was probably ovulating. About two weeks later, I got my period, and it was super heavy and super awful. I was sweaty, bloated, my back hurt, and it lasted a while (ⅰ).’’

Quick fact

Small blood clots during the first menstrual period after birth are normal, but large clots the size of a golf ball or a plum require medical attention (7).

Breastfeeding While You Are Menstruating

Often, mothers have the misconception that breastfeeding during menstruation is not a right thing to do.

• Infant feeding while having periods doesn’t cause any harm to them.

• The quality of your breast milk remains the same.

• The taste of your breast milk may change because of hormonal imbalance or changes that your body undergoes.

• Sometimes, you may notice a decrease in the milk supply. These occasional changes can make your little one a bit fussy. There is nothing to worry about. It’s all a natural phenomenon (3).

• If you feel your milk production reduces while you have your periods, you might try to spend more time with your baby skin to skin or offer the breast more frequently.

• You can also talk to your doctor about mineral and vitamin supplies to ensure your little one is getting sufficient milk.

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• You may also notice sore nipples. It is a condition that you may experience because of your menstruation cycle.

• It might get a little difficult for you to breastfeed your baby once your period starts, mostly because of the physical pain the phase brings with it.
• Try to apply coconut or olive oil to release soreness. Regular breastfeeding helps maintain a good supply of milk and also reduces the chances of problems like engorgementⁱXEnlargement, swelling, or tightness felt in breasts due to milk retention , mastitisⁱXSwollen, hot, or painful breasts due to bacterial infection , blebsⁱXFluid-filled blisters and plugged milk ducts.

Quick fact

A temporary drop in milk supply may occur a few days before a woman’s periods start, but supply normalizes once hormones return to normal (11).

First Period After Breastfeeding

After pregnancy, the first period may vary in intensity among women. It’s common to experience irregularities initially, with periods eventually becoming heavier or more intense. While some mothers may notice it while breastfeeding, others might experience it as they reduce feedings. Some women may also experience delayed or missed periods. Don’t fret; this is common, and your periods should typically return to normal within a few months.

Additionally, some women may observe increased cramping and PMS symptoms post-weaning. On the flip side, others notice a shift towards more regular periods with fewer PMS symptoms after pregnancy. These variations are also normal and part of the postpartum experience (5).

With the return of your periods, returns your fertility. You need to keep in mind that your chances of getting pregnant remain high even when you have not started menstruating. Strange it may sound, but the human body doesn’t follow a stringent rule. Here are few points you should learn about (4):

• You may start ovulatingⁱX A stage in the female menstrual cycle when a mature egg is released from the ovary even before your period begins.

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• In case you are not adopting the birth control measures, you may expect again without getting the first postpartum period.

• If you do not wish to plan another pregnancy, rely on contraceptives.
• You can talk to your doctor about the birth control options. Make sure to tell the doctor about the type of birth control you use, since it might interfere with your milk production.

Infographic: What Conditions Cause Change In Periods After Childbirth?

Periods may change after childbirth. Some women may experience heavier periods, while others experience lighter periods. This infographic shares possible reasons for these changes to help mothers stay informed. Read the infographic and share it with nursing mothers who got their periods back recently.

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

My period came back while breastfeeding and I’m not sure what to do! Learn how to manage your period while breastfeeding in this helpful video.

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Rebecca KoyfIBCLC, CLC

Rebecca Koyf is an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Registered Lactation Consultant (RLC),Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and a LaLeche League volunteer. She has a Bachelor's degree in Accounting and worked as an Auditor for the NYC Comptroller’s Office for 8 years. Her own breastfeeding struggles made her change her career and pursue the field in lactation. She has her...more

Jessica AlbertBE

Jessica Albert is a passionate writer who seeks to connect with her readers through wit and charm. Her work aims to invoke curiosity and keep the readers engaged through and through. She has two years of experience working with magazines and e-commerce establishments as a content marketer and editor. Being a mother herself, she puts all her knowledge into creating...more

Rohit GarooBSc, MBA

Rohit Garoo is a writer-turned-editor with over 9 years of experience in content writing, editing, and content marketing. He did his bachelors in Science at St. Xavier's College, Hyderabad, and masters in Business Administration at Osmania University. Also, he holds a certificate in Developmental Psychology from The University of Queensland and loves to expand his knowledge through certifications in various...more

Shinta Liz SunnyM.Tech

Shinta is a biotechnologist who is highly intrigued by science and technology. She holds a master's degree in Biotechnology from Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences and a PG Diploma in cellular and molecular diagnostics from Manipal University. At MomJunction, Shinta writes on mother and child health and wellness. Previously, she worked as a scientist for three years, involved in developing...more