Many breastfeeding parents experience a delay in the return of their menstrual period, a common physiological response after childbirth. This article explains why periods are delayed and offers practical approaches to encourage their return.
Understanding Period Absence During Breastfeeding
The absence of menstruation during breastfeeding, known as lactational amenorrhea, occurs primarily due to the hormone prolactin. Prolactin is essential for milk production and is released in response to a baby’s suckling. High prolactin levels suppress the hormones necessary for ovulation and menstruation, naturally delaying the menstrual cycle.
The frequency, duration, and exclusivity of breastfeeding directly impact prolactin levels and the timing of period return. Consistent and frequent nursing, especially during the night, maintains elevated prolactin, prolonging the delay. Conversely, as feeding intensity decreases, prolactin levels can drop, signaling the body to prepare for the return of fertility. This natural process can act as a form of birth control, though it is not considered foolproof.
Practical Approaches to Encourage Period Return
To encourage menstruation, consider practical adjustments to breastfeeding routines. These approaches subtly reduce milk production demand, lowering prolactin levels.
Reducing breastfeeding frequency or duration is a common strategy. When nursing sessions become less frequent or shorter, the body receives weaker signals to produce prolactin. This gradual decrease in breast stimulation can prompt the hormonal shift needed for ovulation to resume. The transition should ideally be slow to allow both parent and baby to adjust.
Introducing solid foods to the baby or supplementing with formula or pumped milk can also influence period return. As a baby’s nutritional needs are met by other sources, their reliance on breast milk diminishes. This reduction in nursing demand directly contributes to lower prolactin levels, signaling the body that it may be time to resume fertility.
Night weaning, or reducing nighttime feeds, is another significant factor. Prolactin levels are typically highest during the night and early morning hours, making night feeds particularly effective at suppressing ovulation. By gradually decreasing or eliminating these overnight nursing sessions, prolactin levels can fall sufficiently to trigger the return of the menstrual cycle.
What to Expect and When to Seek Medical Advice
The timeline for menstruation to return while breastfeeding varies widely. Some see their period return as early as 6-8 weeks postpartum, especially if not exclusively breastfeeding, while for others, it might not resume until 12 months or even over two years, often coinciding with full weaning. The average return time is around 9 to 18 months postpartum.
When menstruation does return, the first few periods after lactational amenorrhea can be irregular. Cycles might be lighter, heavier, shorter, longer, or vary in length and flow. It is common for the cycle to take a few months to settle into a more regular pattern.
Consulting a healthcare provider is appropriate if there are concerns about the return of menstruation. This includes situations where the period has not returned several months after significantly reducing or stopping breastfeeding. Medical advice should also be sought if there are concerns about fertility, or if other symptoms are present, such as excessive weight changes, chronic fatigue, hair loss, severe pelvic pain, or unusually heavy bleeding or large clots. These symptoms could indicate an underlying medical condition unrelated to breastfeeding that warrants investigation.