Trying to get pregnant but period hasn't resumed... help!

[losangelitos]

For many reasons we are anxious to get pregnant quickly. My daughter is 8.5 months old and I want to continue to give her breast milk but for reasons I don't want to get into we would like to be pregnant by the end of February. My period hasn't returned yet and I'm feeling rushed. What to do? I switched to pumping only and giving her bottles since I was told it is less stimulating and that menstruation might return more quickly. I am considering weaning her but don't know what I would wean her to at her age... formula, goat's milk, etc. Any suggestions?

Thanks so much,
Shana :-)

[kohlby]

If you wean her, you would wean to formula. Even if you didn't wean her, you may have to use formula once you get pg since some women's supply plummets quickly. I would suggest doing very slow gentle weaning. It's common to just have to cut down but not completely wean. Plus if you go slowly, it's easier on her. You would replace the breastmilk you don't give her with formula. It can take a few months for your fertility to return even if you weaned today. I wouldn't worry about getting pg by Feb. It's possible but not a realistic goal.

[Queen_au_Kegel]

DD is my 2nd child; it was well, well past the 1 year mark before my mestruation returned.

However, I got pregnant with a lost child while exclusively BFing DS (our 1st child); He was 9 months old - I didn't realize it was a period to tell you the truth & I am well aware of my body. I caught the 2nd egg (or at least the 2nd cycle - not sure if I truly dropped an egg the first time) and then had implantaion bleeding - I never realized I was pregnant. I just thought that DS was weaning.

Forced weaning will not necessarily bring on a menstrual cycle. It's your body that decides through different variables.

For example I have a friend & my very own sister whose periods (dropping eggs and all; true cycles) returned while exclusively BFing their 3 month old DC.

Just something to think about.