So Grace is only 8 1/2 weeks old. Last week I started spotting (PP bleeding stopped about 2 weeks prior or so). After I had my PP check-up last Tuesday, I started bleeding more heavily (a light to medium flow, red).

I talked to a LC and she really doubted it was my period since I'm only 8 week PP. But I just can't shake that nagging feeling that it is AF (and now I'm paranoid about my supply!)!

I have been exclusively BFing. She is always with me. I feed her on demand, not a schedule. So how could AF be back already!? Seems way too soon, doesn't it? I suppose every body is different...


I do have a question though...

If this is my period, is there any way to "reverse" it's appearance and my fertility? Or once it's back, it's here until we're blessed with another babe??

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

If you have any bleeding past 8 weeks PP you have to treat it as potentially fertile and start charting if you're using NFP or FAM to avoid pregnancy. (women who do not have bleeding in the early months often rely on LAM, although since you're going back to work soon, LAM probably wouldn't apply anyway, if you're planning on pumping and bottlefeeding)

However, spotting or bleeding doesn't necessarily mean that it's your period. I spotted at 5 months PP and haven't had AF. I attribute the spotting to the fact that my baby was nursing less at night and I wasn't taking time to slow down and relax and nurse him frequently. Once I nursed more frequently, fertility signs mostly disappeared. I got over a year and a half of lactational amenorrhea with my last babe, so I'm hopin'!

I breastfed exclusively on demand both of my kids, 24/7, and I got AF back both times a few weeks after the lochia stopped... and it started every month on the dot after that.... so everyone is different but I understand your disappointment if it is AF, because I was totally disappointed too since I was looking forward to that AF-free time... which never happened. lol. In my case, no amount of nursing affected it at all... and I fed my kids round the clock, several times a night for the first 4 months, etc... second time around I was even pumping an extra 12 to 18 oz. a day for my toddler on top of nursing the baby, and I STILL GOT AF right away... unbelievable right?

I wouldn't worry about supply - i had excessive milk, leaking all the time, engorged frequently, etc, w/ both kids for the first six months.... AF did not affect my milk supply at all (unless it caused me to have MORE than I would have), so I wouldn't worry about it as long as baby seems to be getting plenty.

This is just my experience.... just so you know you aren't the only one LOL

i exclusively BF for 6+ months with both and got AF back around 2 months or so...however, they were both sleeping through the night around 6 weeks. but it is possible.

Thanks for your input and experience.

I'm now not so worried about supply or that AF is back. In the long run, it's not that big of a deal! :)

DH and I are going to get some more "training" and information from our doctor as far as NFP goes. I'm SUPER excited!! I had only read the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility prior to getting married. It was a great start but I know there's more to know!

Thanks for your input and experience.

I'm now not so worried about supply or that AF is back. In the long run, it's not that big of a deal! :)

DH and I are going to get some more "training" and information from our doctor as far as NFP goes. I'm SUPER excited!! I had only read the book Taking Charge of Your Fertility prior to getting married. It was a great start but I know there's more to know!

I would recommend taking an in person class from a certified teacher. Here's a website where you can find one in your area: http://www.ccli.org

I would recommend taking an in person class from a certified teacher. Here's a website where you can find one in your area: http://www.ccli.org

Sorry for the delay in responding... :)


Thanks for the website. I had done so much researching before getting married. I know I thats one of the sites I was on. As for my doc, I guess I should clarify that she is certified in teaching and instructing. She does classes through our hospital and offers one-on-one instruction during her office hours. [clapping]

Good for you! I hope that you enjoy the classes. Yes, that does make a big difference if your doctor happens to be a certified NFP teacher, many doctors don't even know much about NFP, let alone teach it! You're lucky to have that doctor.

Good for you! I hope that you enjoy the classes. Yes, that does make a big difference if your doctor happens to be a certified NFP teacher, many doctors don't even know much about NFP, let alone teach it! You're lucky to have that doctor.

I am so blessed! I found her and some other doctors like her from the website onemoresoul.com. They won't even prescribe BC to women (at least my doc won't). I wanted to go to a doc that not only supported my method, but that understood it and could support our whole family in knowledge and care. She is our family doc actually - but my OB and the doc that delivered Grace are in the same practice and belief. A HUGE relief and support for us! On top of all of that, she is a great doctor! :)