When do you get your period when breastfeeding?

It varies greatly how quickly women start menstruating again after giving birth. Some women start menstruating a month after giving birth, others a year and a half or more after giving birth. Both and everything in between are completely normal.

Remember contraception, even when you are breastfeeding

Remember that you ovulate about 14 days before your first period. It is therefore important that you generally use contraception if you do not want a possible pseudotwin (siblings less than a year and a half apart). As a breastfeeding woman, it is normal to have slightly dry mucous membranes. This is hormonally determined and completely normal. Condoms and lubricant can therefore be a good combination and a good contraceptive choice during your breastfeeding process.

Milk during menstruation

Back to menstruation: In relation to the baby, it is true that your milk can be affected during menstruation. The taste of the milk changes and possibly the amount of milk can be affected by the menstrual hormones. It is completely harmless for the baby, so you can safely continue to breastfeed while you are menstruating.

Some babies will notice the change in taste, others will not. If your milk supply is reduced during your period, offer your baby the breast extra frequently throughout the day and read more about how to boost your milk supply – you can read more about that here

Some babies will become impatient at the breast or may even reject the breast for a few days leading up to or during their period. There is nothing you can do to change the taste of the milk, but you can make sure to nourish yourself: If you have period pains, sit with a heating pad while you breastfeed, wear soft and comfortable clothes, take an extra nap, ask for a hug from your partner or friend, remember to eat and drink and possibly slow down the pace in the days before your period. Your and your baby's nervous systems are closely linked. So the better you take care of yourself during your period (well, and in life in general), the calmer your baby will be too.

In addition, I would recommend that you tell baby that everything is okay. Use your voice and the energy in your choice of words to calm baby at your breast. It is completely okay for baby to react to a change in taste or a changed amount of milk in the breast. You know what it is about. Be calm baby can feel and signal that it is okay, and it is only for a short period.

Menstrual changes after pregnancy

Some women find that their periods have changed after their pregnancy. Some bleed more, for a little longer and are more noticeable during their period. Often your period will find its place after a few months. If you are worried, visit your gynecologist for a check-up and a conversation. It is important to be safe and comfortable - also when it comes to our lower abdomen.

Vitamins and menstruation

If you notice cramping or menstrual pain, I highly recommend that you take magnesium from Plantforce. No, I don't have any shares in them, but it is a truly good and rewarding product in the dietary supplement jungle. Magnesium is, among other things, good for our muscles. The uterus is also a muscle - you felt that during childbirth if you gave birth vaginally. Just as cramps in the legs, for example, can be removed with a good magnesium supplement, menstrual pain can be significantly improved. Take 1 teaspoon with a top of the magnesium powder from Plantforce and mix it in a glass of boiling water. Drink it when it no longer fizzes. You can do this every evening throughout your maternity period. In short, because magnesium is good and important for many things. During your period, you can drink a glass 3-5 times spread over the day as needed.

Throughout my years as a midwife, I have met many women who are tired of menstruating again. I understand you. It is perfectly okay to swear a little (or a lot). And at the same time, I would like to invite you to show gratitude towards your body. It is precisely your body's menstrual cycle that prepares your uterine lining for a pregnancy to establish, grow and develop and become a child. That in itself should call for respect and care. So dear ones, embrace your period. Embrace yourself. And embrace your child - and breastfeed from there.