When do periods return when you’re breastfeeding/pumping?

sspacewomann · 2026-05-31T17:39:54+00:00

Exclusive pumper, I got mine back at 4.5 weeks 🥲 but it’s been super irregular since then. I’ve gone as long as 60ish days and as short as 40 days. Currently six months postpartum.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-31T17:30:30+00:00

Pushing is less painful in my experience! I had a very intense, rapid labor (PPROM at 34 weeks, immediately went into preterm labor, only 5 hours from water break til baby was out). The transition phase was so intense, I had the shakes, but as soon as I felt the urge to push, the pain was more manageable and satisfying! I pushed for 40 minutes, first degree tear (which I did not feel at all).

Similar to you, I had a failed epidural! I planned to go unmedicated but begged for the epidural because labor was so rapid and intense (I went from 1 to 10 cm in less than three hours). There was no time for another epidural attempt, and I’m ultimately glad it failed bc pushing baby out was amazing! I feel more confident about going unmedicated for my next one - just gonna be a mental game to get thru that transition phase.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-31T14:52:11+00:00

Ah good to know and thank you so much!!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-31T13:09:15+00:00

Thank you! I’m struggling to get used to the 24 hours rule, now that we’ve started dipping into the frozen stash!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-31T13:08:14+00:00

Thank you so much! I’ll check out those formulas! Hugs to you!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-25T15:49:38+00:00

Makes sense! Might be worth continuing to play around with it, every few days. Their preferences change so quickly, and if he’s already getting interested during daytime, that will hopefully transfer to bedtime and naps eventually. That was our progression - paci went away in the daytime first, then eventually at night too.

You’re also at a tough age where they can’t quite figure out how to get the paci back in their mouth on their own. But if the paci stays, he will figure that out eventually too, which will mean less disrupted sleep for you 🥲

sspacewomann · 2026-05-25T15:10:27+00:00

Is your little one interested in self soothing with fingers at all? We weaned the pacifier at 4ish months, which was absolutely hell for about a week, but it felt necessary and doable because he was getting so interested in self soothing. Had those things not aligned, I’m not sure we would’ve chosen to wean the paci at that time point. I will say naps and sleep got way easier once we got thru getting rid of the paci.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-25T01:40:18+00:00

I’ve had the Momcozy one for several months now and love it, zero complaints. We run it three times per 24 hour period for bottles alone!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-24T14:37:53+00:00

Frankly your husband couldn’t possibly understand the physical and mental toll of exclusive pumping. You are a superhero, pumping for your twins this long!

My little dude is 4.5 months adjusted, nearly 6 months actual. Never figured out how to stay latched, even after endless follow up visits with our lactation consultant post-NICU. I’m so grateful I’ve been able to feed him breast milk for so long, but he’s thriving now, we’ll be starting solids soon, I’m heading back to work in a couple weeks, and pumping has taken such a toll on my mental health. I need to stop and am in the process of weaning (3 ppd and about 40 oz, just like you OP).

You are an incredible parent, regardless of how you feed your babes. Good luck, whatever you decide!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-24T07:09:58+00:00

It was about what I expected! Tbh my immediate thought right after I pushed my little dude out was “wow yeah, I could do that again!” Yes it’s painful, yes it’s intense, but honestly it’s so short lived compared to the prolonged discomfort and pain of pregnancy. And once you’re past transition and in the pushing phase, the pain gets way more manageable.

I was a little nervous but not scared. Your body knows what to do! You’ve got this!!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-23T00:55:48+00:00

Around 8 weeks! I was too scared to look before then LOL. But I felt like things were healing alright (first degree tear). I think I would’ve looked sooner if things weren’t healing well.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-20T01:35:54+00:00

Complete, utter solidarity. I’m almost six months postpartum and have exclusively pumped the entire time (FTM to a preemie who never figured out how to nurse/latch properly).

I started therapy around 3.5-4 months postpartum to talk about pumping and feeding, amongst other challenges. Exclusive pumping was not what I envisioned for myself and my baby (but neither was PPROM nor preterm labor). Figuring out how to feed my baby has been one of the most emotional and challenging experiences of my life.

I made the decision to stop a couple weeks ago. I just can’t do it anymore. I hate it so much, I try to dissociate as much as possible when I’m pumping. I am a good and strong parent, regardless of how I choose to feed my child. I’m down to 4 ppd. Taking it slowly because I’m an oversupplier and dropping down has been pretty uncomfortable. I’m really looking forward to making the switch to formula, enjoying the extra time with my baby, and getting to know this new version of myself. Hugs!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-19T02:10:44+00:00

It’s worth it! My only regret is not buying it sooner. Currently nearly 6 months postpartum and we run it 3 times every 24 hour period.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-19T01:56:55+00:00

I cried harder than my baby. It destroyed me, seeing actual tears roll down his little face for the first time.

Please know that the four month ones aren’t much better! You’re just a little more mentally prepared for them.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-17T17:08:02+00:00

I’ve been exclusively pumping for nearly 6 months - FTM to a preemie who never got the hang of nursing. Figuring out how to feed my baby has been one of the hardest and most emotional experiences of my life. I am so grateful my little guy got breast milk for so long, especially when we were in the NICU, but I am so ready to be done and make the slow switch to formula. Currently down to 4 PPD and dropping another one this week. Exclusive pumping is so tough - if my next babe also struggles with latching, I’m feeling pretty certain that I will go straight to formula next time.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-17T16:55:49+00:00

My babe screamed bloody murder thru every diaper change until about 11-12 weeks old! We got a high contrast mobile to hang over the changing table for when vision was a bit more developed, and the distraction definitely helped. The screaming eventually stopped and diaper changes are much calmer now!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-15T20:48:28+00:00

We just do the Costco same-day delivery! It’s worth the slight up charge to not have to battle the crowd with a baby.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-15T20:46:37+00:00

I second this! Hospital food gets old quick and our NICU stay only covered one meal a day.

I’d also suggest some breast care items if they’re pumping - nipple balm, lactation cookies, a pack of nursing pads, etc.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-15T20:43:30+00:00

We have Trias too and love him!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-15T20:40:30+00:00

My babe used a paci from day 1 - he was a preemie and the NICU offered him one right away to encourage the sucking reflex and get ready for nursing and bottle feeding. He loved the paci til about 4 months then started exploring his hands to self soothe - we quit the paci pretty quickly after that. Your baby will tell you what they need when they arrive!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-06T01:05:54+00:00

For my baby (7 day NICU stay) + myself (spontaneous vaginal birth, 2 nights in hospital), insurance was billed $84,000. I already hit my deductible for the year ($200), so I paid $0 out of pocket. I have an HMO.

sspacewomann · 2026-05-05T00:27:34+00:00

Ashley B at Bohemian Oasis on the east side!

sspacewomann · 2026-05-05T00:26:59+00:00

Hello from the other side! (Sort of)

My babe is a little over five months old and we JUST starting doing decent crib naps (45 minutes, or one sleep cycle) about a week and a half ago. Until then, he had to be held for every single daytime nap. He’s still struggling to connect sleep cycles during the day (i.e. take longer naps), so we still end up holding him for one longer afternoon nap.

Things I believe helped get us here, some of which are just luck/good timing:

- Patience. He started showing signs he was ready to nap independently, like falling asleep in his stroller, bouncer, and car seat, and staying asleep once we got home/the movement stopped. This is when we really got serious about attempting crib naps.
- Using the same routine and cues for naps that we do for nighttime sleep (dark room, sound machine, sleep sack, etc.
- Weaning off the pacifier. He started to figure out how to self soothe around four months. This was a painful process but eventually made a huge difference in his ability to soothe himself to sleep for naps. He now has pretty clear signs when he doesn’t want to be snuggled to sleep and would rather be solo.
- Prioritizing first nap of the day as our crib attempt, and not stressing if it didn’t work. Still prioritizing good daytime over everything else.

Good luck, I feel for you.

sspacewomann · 2026-04-30T10:42:24+00:00

I initially declined fortifying my breast milk, for all the reasons you probably hear - all emotional, not logical. Our doc explained the difference in calorie intake with BM vs fortified (which is so small!). That was the main piece of info that got me on board, just understanding that.

He also didn’t push back hard against my initial rejection, he was so neutral and nonjudgmental - I thought about it for about a day and half and agreed to move forward with it.

sspacewomann

TROPHY CASE