Breastfeeding parents often wonder how their body’s natural rhythms influence milk production, especially regarding the menstrual cycle’s effect on breast milk supply. This is a normal physiological question, given the significant hormonal shifts during lactation and the return of menstruation. Understanding these interactions can help parents anticipate and navigate any changes.
How Menstruation Influences Milk Supply
The return of menstruation after childbirth varies widely, typically resuming between 9 and 18 months postpartum for breastfeeding parents, though some may experience it earlier or later. Exclusively breastfeeding, especially frequent nursing without long stretches, can delay the return of monthly bleeding. This is due to the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production and also suppresses the hormones that regulate menstruation.
When menstruation returns, hormonal fluctuations, particularly increases in estrogen and progesterone, can temporarily affect milk supply. While high levels of these hormones inhibit milk secretion during pregnancy, their rise before and during menstruation can interfere with prolactin’s action, leading to a temporary reduction.
This temporary dip in supply usually occurs a few days before or during the menstrual period and often resolves once menstruation ends. Some parents might notice their baby becoming fussier at the breast or a temporary decrease in pumped milk volume, which can indicate a temporary reduction in supply. The composition of breast milk may also subtly change, with research suggesting a potential increase in sodium and chloride levels, though this typically does not impact the amount of milk consumed by the baby.
Managing Supply During Your Period
If you experience a temporary dip in milk supply when your period returns, several practical strategies can help maintain and even increase production. The principle of supply and demand remains central to milk production: more frequent milk removal signals the body to produce more milk. Therefore, increasing feeding or pumping frequency is a primary recommendation. Aim to nurse on demand, even if it means more frequent feedings than usual, or pump after nursing sessions to further stimulate the breasts. Power pumping, which mimics cluster feeding, can also be beneficial, involving repeated cycles of pumping and resting (e.g., 20 minutes pumping, 10 minutes rest, repeated for an hour).
Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition also supports milk production. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day is important for overall milk volume. Consuming a balanced diet, including lactogenic foods believed to support milk production, can contribute to maintaining supply.
Some parents report positive results with calcium and magnesium supplements, particularly when taken from ovulation through the first few days of their period. Blood calcium levels may decrease around menstruation, potentially contributing to a dip in milk supply. A common recommendation is a 2:1 calcium to magnesium ratio, with dosages ranging from 500 mg calcium/250 mg magnesium to 1500 mg calcium/750 mg magnesium. Higher doses of calcium should be divided for enhanced absorption, and calcium should be taken with magnesium. Always consult a healthcare provider before starting any supplements.