Menstrual cycles after weaning from breastfeeding

Mothers who are exclusively breastfeeding for at least six months (in line with the World Health Organization's recommendations) often do not get their menstrual cycles back for significant periods of time after giving birth. Some families even choose to rely on breastfeeding as a form of birth control and swear it is very effective. Others, who conceived while nursing, disagree with them but breastfeeding does, without a doubt, affect the return of menstrual cycles after you have a baby.

What can you expect from your cycle after you wean your child from breastfeeding? In my family, we are committed to nursing for what some would call "a long time". The World Health Organization actually advises breastfeeding for at least two years due to the health benefits both mothers and babies get from this, and exclusively breastfeeding for six months, which means no solid foods. With my second child, who is currently in the process of weaning, this resulted in being cycle- and period free for 21 months! My wife was thrilled not to have to deal with periods on top of everything else that can be so hectic when you have a brand new baby.

Most women (who are not currently trying to conceive), are going to view their monthly flow as an annoyance and an interruptions, and they may view lactation-related freedom from menstruation as a significant added benefit of breastfeeding. Others may, however, feel concerned when their periods don't return months after their baby was born.

You may try to track your cycles as they return, so you can keep an eye on them. Some women will choose to charting their basal body temperature, but using an ovulation calendar and even tracking the quality of your cervical mucus are two easier steps that will give you hints about your cycles, and can even forewarn you about their impending return if you are currently breastfeeding. 

Some women who breastfeed for longer periods of time will notice that their periods return eventually, without weaning. For others, regular menstruation will start again as soon as they wean. Yet others will get the benefit of another "grace period" from menstruation even after they recently weaned. 

Note that no matter when your period returns, it is extremely likely that it will not immediately be as regular as it was before you got pregnant. You may have several longer or shorter cycles, and your bleeding may not follow the same predictable pattern as before. In many cases, you will not ovulate right away, either. You can, however, expect your body to settle into its pre-pregnancy rhythm a few cycles down the line.