Beginning of Regular Periods
The exact number of weeks, before your period begins, is difficult to predict. However, for those who are exclusively breastfeeding, the delay will be longer, than those give formula feed to their kids. This delay for exclusively breastfed babies can even be for a year. But even in such cases, for moms whose kids sleep better at night, and need to feed babies less at night, the periods can commence anywhere between three to nine months from childbirth.
Hormonal Birth Control
At times after child birth, you might notice that you periods have become heavier than it used to be earlier. If the flow begins to hamper with your activities, then you can, in consultation with your doctor, regulate it through hormonal birth control. This will make your periods less painful and lighter.
Ovulation
The sucking during breast feeding sends signals to the pituitary to release the hormone, prolactin. This suppresses ovulation. So the more you feed, the higher is the level of prolactin in your body and lesser are the chances of ovulation.
However, this said, even without your periods, you might still be ovulating. While the chance of ovulation in the first two months post birth is low, the probability increases once your baby is three months old.
So, unless you are alright with back-to-back children, don’t treat breastfeeding as the sole method of contraception. This method of contraception is called Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM). In fact, those who are formula feeding, they are likely to become fertile within a month post delivery.
Spotting
When the baby starts to breastfeed less frequently, your periods begin. This usually starts lightly and irregularly as small blood spots, which is called spotting.
Blood Clotting
Often when the periods commence post your delivery, it can be accompanied with blood clots as well. This is just because of the internal healing of the body. However, if it persists for long then do consult your doctor.
