Many new mothers have questions about menstruation and breastfeeding. What is “normal?” The answer: Just about anything.

Have you heard different experiences and stories when it comes to your friends’ periods? While some women never experience a period while breastfeeding and consider it their birth control for six months or longer, other women may experience irregular periods while still others resume regular periods while their babies are still feeding at least part-time.

Let’s start by saying that it is possible to have your period while you’re breastfeeding, and many women do have irregular or light periods throughout their breastfeeding months or years. It all comes down to a hormone known as prolactin. This is the hormone that regulates the production of milk while you’re breastfeeding, but it also naturally suppresses menstruation.

The more prolactin you have in your body, the less likely you are to have a period. Once your milk is in less demand and you start to produce less of this hormone, you’re likely to resume your menstrual cycle.

We gathered this information based on common questions new moms have regarding menstruation and breastfeeding to help you explore all possible scenarios regarding menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.  Like we said…there is a wide range of “normal!”

Your First Period While Breastfeeding – What to Expect

Some women never have a period while they’re breastfeeding even part-time while other women experience a light period here and there throughout their breastfeeding journey. Still other women experience a full return to normal periods as soon as their babies start sleeping through the night or their breastfeeding routines change in some other way. You never know how your body might react or when that first period may appear, so don’t assume that you can’t have a period just because you’re breastfeeding.

Remember, this comes down to the presence of prolactin in your system. When your baby starts sleeping through the night or even for longer stretches of time, they demand less milk from your breasts.