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Expert Q&A
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| By Karen Zeretzke IBCLC, Lactation Consultant | ||
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I am a breastfeeding mom with a 5-week-old daughter. It seems as though I began menstruating again, although I thought it would be a while before I even started ovulating since I am breastfeeding. Is it possible that I got my period already?
It is uncommon -- but not unheard of -- for mothers of young breastfeeding babies to begin ovulating. (Which is why breastfeeding isn't considered a reliable form of birth control unless certain conditions are met!) Does the baby sleep through the night? Nursing at least once during the night helps keep your hormone levels where they need to be not to ovulate.
Does your baby have only your milk to eat? Replacing feedings with formula or solids sends your body messages that the milk volume can be decreased, which can bring on ovulation.
On the other hand, ""breakthrough bleeding"" can happen if the baby hasn't nursed well for a few days, and generally will not re-occur once the baby is back to nursing well.
For more information on this topic, see Breastfeed.com's article: ""Family Planning and the Nursing Mother.""
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