BF while trying to get PG?

[debz]

My bub is 12months and I am breastfeeding.

Will this decrease my chances of getting pregnant?

My cycle has not returned yet and I had prob getting preg the first time.

I am 36 and would like to get preg by end of 2007.

Thanks for your time.

[Pinky McKay]

Hu Debz,
Return of your menstrual cycle can vary with individual women. Usually complete breastfeeding will suppress fertility but as your baby nurses less/ eats family foods, your hormonal balance alters and fertility returns. Many women find this happening between 12 and 18 months, although for some women this happens earlier and others take longer. I wouldnt worry yet if you are hoping to become pregnant by the end of 2007 - your body sounds as though it is behaving completely normally for a breastfeeding woman. That is, it may be a few months yet before you ovulate. You may or may not fall pregnant easily/ quickly as your cycle returns and do remember it can 'come back' gradually with perhaps 6 weeks then 5 then a 4 week cycle between periods.

Complete weaning generally isnt necessary to ensure fertility but some women seem to find conceiving less likely until after weaning, even if their cycle has returned.

It may be helpful to check out a natural family planning clinic if you dont know how to monitor ovulation symptoms.

Meanwhile enjoy the closeness - breastfeeding is agreat mothering tool with a little toddler -all the immune factors are present (some increase in concentration about the time your baby becomes mobile) and "booby" fixes bumps better than a bandaid!

Pinky