What To Expect From Your First Period When Breastfeeding

Some women may notice changes while nursing during their first period after delivery.

Medically reviewed by Dr Sachchidananda Maiti, MD Dr Sachchidananda Maiti Dr Sachchidananda MaitiMD Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Obstetrics and GynecologyExperience: 31 years
Written by , BDS, CLC Dr. Ritika Shah BDS, CLC Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Dental and General Health, LactationExperience: 10 years
Edited by , M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Swati Patwal M.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Food, Nutrition and HealthExperience: 10 years
Fact-checked by , MSc, MA, BEd Ghazia Shah MSc, MA, BEd Follow MomJunction on Linkedin Specialty: Health & WellnessExperience: 3 years
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A mom playing with her baby

Image: ShutterStock

It takes some time for the menstrual cycles to kick back after pregnancy and childbirth. And, it may take further more time to get your first period while breastfeeding due to the hormonal changes of lactation. However, the menstrual cycle gradually commences and gets back to normal once the hormones settle in a few months after delivery. Read this post as we talk about the correlation between breastfeeding and menstruation.

In This Article

Key Pointers

  • Hormonal changes may delay periods in lactating mothers who exclusively breastfeed.
  • Breastfeeding frequency and the age of the nursing mother affect the relationship between periods and breastfeeding.
  • Women may experience reduced milk flow, sore nipples, and changes in breastmilk composition during their first period.
  • If experiencing blood discharge from nipples, lumps in the breast, unusual menstrual flow, spotting, or sudden weight loss, it is advised to consult a healthcare provider.

Why Are Periods Delayed When Breastfeeding?

The periods are usually delayed if you are exclusively breastfeeding the baby, due to the hormonal changes

. The suckling stimulus on the breast leads to the reduction of the luteinizing hormone (LH) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) produced by the hypothalamus and the pituitary glands, respectively. These hormones play a vital role in the release of the egg by the ovaries.

There is also an increase in the levels of the prolactin hormone, which affects the ovaries (1). A combination of these hormonal changes leads to a temporary suspension of the menstrual cycle.

When Can You Expect Your First Period When Breastfeeding?

It is difficult to predict a range or exact time when a breastfeeding woman can start getting her periods again.

Medical researchers have found that mothers who bottle-feed (breast milk or formula) their babies get their menstrual periods sooner than the mothers who breastfeed the baby (2).

protip_icon Quick fact
For some women, periods may return as early as six weeks after delivery, while for others, it can take one to two years for it to resume (7)..

The effect of breastfeeding depends on several factors like the age of the mother, the duration and frequency of breastfeeding, and if the baby is fed breast milk from the bottle or directly from the breast (1).

Can You Breastfeed On Your Period?

Breastfeeding during menstruation is completely safe.

Image: Shutterstock

Yes, breastfeeding during menstruation is completely safe. Your breast milk is healthy for the baby, even while you are on your period.

How Does Your Period Affect Breastfeeding?

Periods do not affect breastfeeding adversely but only bring a few changes to your breasts and milk production.

1. Reduced breast milk supply: Several women notice a temporary reduction in the flow of breast milk while menstruating. It is a temporary change and normalizes in a few days. Have a balanced diet to have a good milk supply. If necessary, the doctor may suggest some supplements likecalcium and magnesium to improve milk production and its quality.

protip_icon Research finds
Studies show that women who received midwifery-led support after childbirth were most likely to breastfeed for up to one year. If you are experiencing a reduced milk supply, consult your midwife or lactation consultant for advice and solutions to help you continue breastfeeding (8).

2. Change in milk composition: Some researchers have found that during ovulation and menstruation, the quantity of sodium and chloride increases, while lactose and potassium decrease in the mother’s milk. This might cause mild alteration in the taste of the mother’s milk (3).

The breast milk composition changes during ovulation and menstruation.

Image: Shutterstock

3. Nipple tenderness: The hormonal changes that accompany periods could cause nipple tenderness. It is a temporary change. Engage in nipple stimulation to express milk to avoid clogged ducts and other related problems. You may consult a gynecologist or lactation consultant if the tenderness is severe.

Changes in milk production and the breasts are temporary, and you should continue your breastfeeding frequency as usual.

When To See A Doctor?

See a doctor if you have spotting or bleeding after sex.

Image: Shutterstock

Breastfeeding and periods often affect one another, but can also occur simultaneously with little concern. However, in certain situations, it is best to see your gynecologist promptly (4).

  • No menstrual cycles after stopping breastfeeding
  • Too heavy or too less menstrual flow
  • Intermittent spotting or bleeding after having sex
  • Sudden weight loss
  • Pain in the pelvic area or axialla (armpits)
  • A sudden decrease in the quantity of breast milk
  • Excruciating pain while nursing
  • Cracks or abrasions on nipples
  • Blood discharge from nipples
  • Lumps in breasts

If you see very heavy bleeding between two periods, you should consult your gynecologist as soon as possible.

Breastfeeding And Fertility

Breastfeeding is not a sure-shot way of contraception.

Image: IStock

It is not necessary that all women who have their periods after delivery ovulate as well (1). Some women may have anovulatory menstrual cycles during breastfeeding before they begin to ovulate.

Research suggests that suckling by the baby results in high levels of prolactin in women who regularly breastfeed, and this could lead to anovulatory cycles. An anovulatory cycle is when the woman menstruates as usual but there is no ovulation, that is, the ovary has not released an egg (2).

Since ovulation in breastfeeding mothers is unpredictable, it is not a sure-shot way of contraception during breastfeeding. It is recommended to use other contraceptive methods if you do not want to conceive again.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can my period start and stop while breastfeeding?

Yes. Periods might come and go when you are breastfeeding. It usually regularizes after the baby is completely weaned off the breast milk (5).

2. Can breastfeeding moms have irregular periods?

Yes, breastfeeding moms do have irregular periods and menstrual irregularities due to hormonal imbalance. It settles down by itself once the hormones regularize. However, consult a doctor if you notice any other abnormal symptoms while breastfeeding.

3. How do I know if it’s spotting or my period?

When you are closer to weaning your baby, your period slowly returns, and you may initially notice some spotting (light bleeding) or postpartum bleeding. It eventually gives way to your usual period routine in subsequent cycles. However, if you have continued spotting, heavy bleeding, or extended cycles, speaking to your doctor is advisable to rule out other underlying causes (5).

Several factors may influence the restart of your periods during breastfeeding. It may take time for you to get your first period while breastfeeding due to the hormonal changes during pregnancy and nursing. Also, if you have had your periods during breastfeeding, you may note a reduction in milk supply or an increased tenderness of the nipples. However, this shouldn’t stop your nursing practices since the WHO advises all babies to be breastfed exclusively for the first six months (6). These changes are common and nothing to worry about. However, consult your doctor for prompt medical attention if you note any concerning signs.

Infographic: How To Manage Your First Period When Nursing?

First period when nursing can make several mothers feel overwhelmed. This infographic lists some of the issues lactating mothers may experience when their periods return and how they can effectively combat them while effectively caring for their and their little one’s needs.

problems and management of first period when Nursing (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team

Illustration: What To Expect From Your First Period When Breastfeeding

First Period While Breastfeeding_illustration

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team


Explore the fascinating connection between breastfeeding and a woman’s menstrual cycle, understanding that while some experience changes, others do not, and delve into the factors influencing these variations.

References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.

1. Chao S., The effect of lactation on ovulation and fertility; U.S. National Library of Medicine
2. P. W. HOWIE et al., FERTILITY AFTER CHILDBIRTH: POST‐PARTUM OVULATION AND MENSTRUATION IN BOTTLE AND BREAST FEEDING MOTHERS; The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology
3. P E Hartmann and C G Prosser, Acute changes in the composition of milk during the ovulatory menstrual cycle in lactating women; U.S. National Library of Medicine
4. Ji Hoon Yu et al., Breast diseases during pregnancy and lactation; U.S. National Library of Medicine
5. Breastfeeding and periods; Health direct
6. Breastfeeding; World Health Organization
7. Periods after pregnancy; Healthdirect Australia Limited
8. Dagla M et al.,Association between Breastfeeding Duration and Long-Term Midwifery-Led Support and Psychosocial Support: Outcomes from a Greek Non-Randomized Controlled Perinatal Health Intervention; International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

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Dr Sachchidananda Maiti
Dr Sachchidananda MaitiMD
Dr Sachchidananda Maiti is a practicing Consultant Gynaecologist & Obstetrician in Manchester, UK both in the National Health Service (NHS) and in private care at Pall Mall Medical. He has more than three decades of clinical experience in the UK and abroad.

Read full bio of Dr Sachchidananda Maiti
Dr. Ritika Shah
Dr. Ritika ShahBDS, CLC
Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah
Swati Patwal
Swati PatwalM.Sc. (Food & Nutrition), MBA
Swati Patwal is a clinical nutritionist, a Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE) and a toddler mom with more than a decade of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She started her career as a CSR project coordinator for a healthy eating and active lifestyle project catering to school children.

Read full bio of Swati Patwal
Ghazia Shah
Ghazia ShahMSc, MA, BEd
Ghazia is a scientist-turned-writer with three years of research experience in Cancer Biology. She did her masters degree in Biotechnology at the University of Kashmir and bachelors in Education at the same university. Ghazia then delved deeper into the science of language with a masters in English.

Read full bio of Ghazia Shah
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