Your Period While Breastfeeding: Why Things Might Be Different Now

In my practice as a Lactation Consultant, I’ve had so many breastfeeding mums ask, “Why isn’t my period back yet?” or “Why is my period so irregular now?” It can feel worrying or frustrating when you’re not sure what to expect, but here’s the good news: it’s totally normal! The return of your period while breastfeeding varies a lot between women, and there’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. In this post I’ll walk you through why your period might not follow a predictable schedule when you’re breastfeeding, why this happens, what it means for your breastfeeding journey and your pregnancy plans, and how you can manage any changes.

How Breastfeeding Affects Your Period

Breastfeeding does affect your period. It’s completely normal if your period doesn’t return right away while you’re breastfeeding, and it can vary a lot from one mum to another. Some mums get their period back a few months after having their baby, while others might not see it again until they stop breastfeeding. Breastfeeding changes the hormones that control ovulation and your period, so it might take some time before your period comes back or becomes regular again. It’s nature’s way of making sure you don’t fall pregnant again too soon after having a baby so your body can recover and nourish the baby you already have!

The more you breastfeed, the longer it might take for your period to return. If you’re exclusively breastfeeding (with no other foods, drinks, or formula) and your baby is under 6 months old (when babies feed most frequently), your period is less likely to come back soon. However, everyone’s experience is different. Your period could return as early as 3 months after birth, or it might take 2 years or more. When you stop breastfeeding or do it less often (e.g. when your baby is eating solid foods), your period will probably come back. On average, most mums get their period back about 9-10 months after giving birth.

Understanding how breastfeeding affects your period can help you feel less worried. Many mums get stressed about why their period hasn’t come back or why it’s so unpredictable. Knowing that this is normal can help you relax and enjoy breastfeeding more, without worrying so much about your cycle.  

Can I Fall Pregnant While Breastfeeding If My Period Hasn’t Returned?

Yes, you can get pregnant while breastfeeding, even if your period hasn’t come back yet. But it’s not very likely in the first 6 months if you’re exclusively breastfeeding and haven’t had your period. However, you can still ovulate (release an egg) before your period returns, so you might get pregnant without knowing your cycle has started again. If you don’t want to get pregnant right now, it’s a good idea to use birth control, even if you haven’t had your period. Check out this blog post about birth control options that are safe while breastfeeding.

Does Milk Supply Drop During Your Period?

It’s normal for babies to be a little fussy when breastfeeding during your period. Lots of mums worry that fussiness means their milk supply has dropped. The hormone changes during your period can change the taste of your milk, and some babies don’t like this. Some babies might feed less or for shorter times because of the taste. This can cause a small dip in your milk supply, but it usually only lasts a few days. Your supply will go back to normal if you keep breastfeeding as much as your baby needs. Knowing this can help you be ready and keep breastfeeding going strong.

How to Manage Periods While Breastfeeding

Let’s look at a few tips to help you manage your period while breastfeeding:

1. Be Ready for Unpredictable Periods

It’s totally normal for your period to not follow a predictable schedule. It might come back, go away, and then show up again later. If your cycle is irregular, don’t worry. Your period might also be lighter or heavier, and it could be shorter or longer than before. Things will settle down, but it can take some time—so be patient with your body. It’s smart to keep some period products with you, just in case!

2. How to Increase Milk Supply During Your Period

If you do notice a dip in your milk supply during your period, there are a few simple things you can try:

• Stay hydrated: Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. You don’t have to overdo it, just the usual 2L a day is fine (or more if you’re still thirsty).
• Offer breastfeeds more often: This tells your breasts to make more milk.
• Nourishing meals and snacks: Listening to your body and choosing nutrient-rich foods can help your body work at its best so breastfeeding can get back to normal as quickly as possible.

3. Managing Sore Nipples During Your Period

Some mums find their nipples get very sensitive before or during their period. If your nipples are sore while breastfeeding during your period, here are a few tips to help manage the discomfort.

• Make sure your baby is latching on well, as a proper latch can help prevent and reduce nipple pain.
• Lots of mums find that doing another activity during feeds, like reading or listening to a podcast, can help distract from the discomfort.

Trust Your Body—It Knows What It’s Doing!

So, is it normal for your period to not get back on a regular schedule right away? Yes! Every mum is different, and periods can be all over the place while breastfeeding. As long as your baby is happy and growing, there’s nothing to worry about. Trust your body—it knows what it’s doing!

If you found this post helpful or have more questions about your period while breastfeeding, I’d love to chat! Send me a DM on Instagram and let me know what you learned or what you’re curious about.