Some women’s periods return within months of giving birth and others do not until after they fully wean their baby. There are many factors that influence when fertility and menstruation return. Everyone’s body is different. Every baby and their feeding rhythm is unique. It’s common for a birthing parent’s first period to return some time after 9 months when the baby is starting to eat more solids, sleeping longer stretches, and is starting to breastfeed a little bit less. The return of menstruation can cause a temporary dip in milk supply for some women. Read on to learn more about Menstruation and Breastfeeding.
How does Menstruation affect Breastfeeding
Unfortunately there are a lot of gaps in the research on menstruation and breastfeeding. There is limited research the effects of hormones during the menstrual cycle on milk supply, but they did find that sodium levels in breast milk increase. This dip in milk supply is thought to start around the time of ovulation and should be temporary.
Many women have reported their babies as being fussy at the breast and finding their milk supply to have decreased when their menstrual cycle returns postpartum. The overlap in timing of return of menstruation and breastfeeding difficulties may be coincidental. The return of menstruation may also be due to decreased milk expression or stimulation at the breast. Talk to IBCLC if you have any concerns.
A lot of women feel extra tired, bloated, and uncomfortable when they are menstruating. If you are breastfeeding you may experience some additional discomfort. Hormonal fluctuations during your menstrual cycle may also increase nipple sensitivity. You may also experience increased cramping while your baby nurses during the first few days of your menstrual cycle.
It’s also important to keep in mind that you may ovulate and be fertile before the return of your first period postpartum.
How do you know if your baby is getting enough milk?
It can be hard to know exactly how much breast milk your baby is getting when they are nursing. Watch your baby. Do they take big sucks and swallows? Do they seem content when they are done nursing? A baby that seems content after a feed, has enough of wet and dirty diapers and is following their growth curve is also likely getting enough milk. If you are concerned that your baby may not be getting enough milk, please see your health care provider and an IBCLC.
Did your milk supply dip before your first period postpartum?
Often menstruation returns when the frequency of baby nursing or mom starts pumping less often. If moms and babies are separated and mom doesn’t have an effective means of expressing milk, moms will experience a dip in their milk supply. This often happens after returning to work or when your baby started sleeping longer stretches overnight. Breastmilk production is based on a supply and demand relationship. If you are removing less milk, less often, then your body may receive a message to produce less milk. If you are breastfeeding less frequently, not only will your body produce less milk but you are also more likely to begin ovulating again sooner.
But how can you skip the dip?
Your milk supply is resilient and if you do experience a dip in your milk supply during menstruation it should be temporary. Ensure you rest, hydrate, eat well and take care of yourself during this time.
There’s some evidence that supplementing calcium and magnesium can help prevent the drop in milk supply during menstruation. It’s been suggested that taking 500-1000mg of calcium and 250-500mg of magnesium starting 3 days before you begin menstruating and continuing until 3 days after your period ends. It’s important that you take both calcium and magnesium together. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine if supplementing calcium and magnesium is right for you.
Another strategy to prevent your milk supply from dipping during menstruation is to nurse frequently. Offer the breast frequently during the day. If your baby doesn’t seem satisfied after nursing on both sides, offer the first side again. Do some gentle breast massage and breast compressions while your baby is nursing. Read my blog on Dealing With a Decreasing Milk Supply for more suggestions for what to do if your milk supply is decreasing.
Reach out for Support on your Breastfeeding Journey
If your baby has been refusing to nurse or on a nursing strike, reach out for help early. Pump to maintain and rebuild your supply, spend time skin-to-skin and reach out to an IBCLC.
If you are concerned about your milk supply suddenly dropping or are having challenges nursing, I would love to work with you and your family to create a plan increase your milk supply again. Contact me too book your home or virtual feeding support package.
References
Dullo P, Vedi N. (2008). Changes in serum calcium, magnesium and inorganic phosphorus levels during different phases of the menstrual cycle. Journal of Human Reproductive Sciences, 1(2):77-80.
Eleje, G. U., Ugwu, E. O., Dinwoke, V. O., Enyinna, P. K., Enebe, J. T., Okafor, I. I., … & Ezugwu, F. O. (2020). Predictors of puerperal menstruation. Plos one, 15(7), e0235888
Lewis, P. R., Brown, J. B., Renfree, M. B., et al. (1991). The resumption of ovulation and menstruation in a well-nourished population of women breastfeeding for an extended period of time. Fertility and Sterility, 55(3), 529-536.
Mohrbacher, N. (2020). Breastfeeding Answers: A Guide for Helping Families. United States: Nancy Mohrbacher Solutions, Incorporated.
