Period back/Can BM supply take a hit?

[Anonymous]

Apparently, my period is back! I've been breastfeeding, but not exclusively for the past almost five months. I find that since the period came back a couple of days ago, my supply isn't all that great. I wasn't a gusher to begin with - pumping 17-18oz a day and nursing twice or three times a day (I work fulltime), but it seems like I am not able to pump as much since the period came back. Is there a correlation here?

[Anonymous]

Yes, but your supply will go back up after a few days (up to a week). From now on, you may get a supply dip every cycle, but it will be temporary.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thank you! That is reassuring.

[Anonymous]

Same thing happened to me. Period returned at 11 weeks postpartum (ugh) and I had a temporary drop in milk supply each month, neatly tied to my hormones. But I EBF for 7 months and nursed until my child self-weaned after age 2. It's normal! Try fenugreek if you feel the need to boost your supply during dry spells. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Yes, the milk supply decreases during the menstrual cycle or the onset of a pregnancy. It is only temporary.

[Anonymous]

Yes, my period came back at 8 mos. pp and after that it would always dip during the week prior to my period.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to point out that the causal relationship also goes the other way: you got your period because your supply took a dip.

When the number of times you are nursing decreases, your body hears it as a sign and your hormones change enabling your period to start again.

If you have any concerns about supply and want to increase it, it will help to nurse more and pump less - to the extent you are able.

[Anonymous]

I've been nursing exclusively for 5.5 months and just got my period back two weeks ago. I was also sick with an upper respiratory infection, so the PPs post was interesting - maybe the cold caused lower production was which caused the period, or maybe I'm just unlucky! I didn't notice any issues nursing, but when I pumped at work it was about half what I usually get. I was scared the dip would last, but the good news is that now that it's over, I'm back to my old pumping level.