Unsure whether to stop breastfeeding to improve chances of ttc

[Fagin99]

I've just had my third failed month of ttc baby #2, which I'm obviously upset about. I know that's not long in trying (dd took five months) but I'm very late thirties and aware of time.

I'm still breastfeeding 15-month-old twice a day (upon waking and before bed - never any more than this) but I can't decide if I should stop altogether in case it might be stopping my chances of ttc? I've had regular periods for ten months, I get positive OPK tests and ovulation pain mid-cycle, so I'd like to think I'm ovulating, but I know there's still a chance that breastfeeding could be interfering with things.

Has anyone else any personal experience with this? I'd hate to stop breastfeeding if it's not going to make any difference anyway (but appreciate there's no way of knowing either way).
Thanks in advance xx

Ah that's ok! Just need to throw everything at it this cycle. Waiting for this period to finish and then we go again. Very worthwhile point about fertility increasing more and more each month too.

I'm not ready but I think my mind's made up - I just need advice on how to go about cutting out these final few feeds really. And I guess someone experienced to listen as it's going to be a tough transition. I'm so proud we've made it to nearly 2.5 years though and it'll all be worth it if we can give her a little sibling.

Wishing you all the luck and baby dust on this TWW! Please keep us posted x

I was in a similar situation. I was 36 when I had my first, and was keen to become pregnant again quickly. However, I didn't want to give up breastfeeding.

As soon as my periods started I checked whether I was ovulating, which I was, so I decided there was no point in stopping.

I think the main problem for me was that my daughter didn't sleep well. I had broken nights and was completely exhausted. At 18 months she started sleeping through the night and I almost immediately became pregnant.

Good luck!

Just a little update from me. Decided I'm going to do my last feed this weekend. We've been going 2.5 years so it's the right time. I've bought the Clearblue Fertility Monitor as I'm determined this month! From what I've read it can take a while for it to get to know your cycles but will give it a go and see where we get to! Feels like a positive step. How are you doing @Fagin99 ?

Thinking of you @secondtimelucky87. I imagine this weekend will be full of mixed emotions. Two-and-half years is an impressive length though, and you should feel proud. I hope you are feeling OK. Let us know how it goes and good luck with the fertility monitoring.

We had another unsuccessful month, but I'm not surprised really. I was quite unwell for a couple of weeks and I'm not sure my body had any resources left! So, we try again. I think I will look to stop breastfeeding too if we don't get lucky in the next few months xx

Hi are there any updates from
anyone on this post 😊 I’m in a very similar position - ttc no.2, DD is 2 years 3 months. Breastfeeding 2-3 times per day including feeding to sleep (night weaned a couple of months ago). I didn’t get my period back properly until she was 23 months so I think I’m perhaps more sensitive to prolactin. I have a 27 day cycle, but only an 11 day luteal phase and I’ve had my progesterone tested the last 2 cycles and it’s low on both (27.2 nmol and 21.7 nmol - which I believe confirms ovulation, but it is a weak result and potentially insufficient)

i think I’ve decided to wean this month - I don’t want to, we both love it, she’s not going to be happy 😅, but I’m 37 and I think my AMH is quite low too so just feeling that ticking clock!!!

if anyone has any updates that might help….. 💕 thank you! x

Hi @Hannah123456789012 - apologies I've only just seen your reply. Sorry to hear about your situation, I know how frustrating and worrying it all is.

A little update (which eventually ended positively):
I weaned a couple of months after my last post. It then took a further three cycles to fall pregnant which sadly ended in an early loss, and then a further eight cycles until I fell pregnant again (which resulted in a healthy baby boy a year ago 😊).

I genuinely couldn't tell you whether weaning helped or not. I had my bloods tested which were all normal, but I didn't have age on my side, and I also had an issue with chronic thrush which I can't help but wonder if it affected things.

Did your doctor advise you at all? It's so hard to know what to do. Wishing you lots of luck on your journey x

@Fagin99 really sorry for your loss I’m sure that was devastating, and even more so after waiting so long. And I’m sure the 8 month wait inbetween was also awful for you!

congratulations on your little boy 💙 and well done for keeping going 🥰 it takes real grit to get through all you have!

thank you so much for replying!

I decided to wean after posting this…..we did the “booby moon” method on Saturday which has worked unbelievably well! Apart from being teary at the time (which I was too!) she has barely even asked me for it since 🤷‍♀️I’m sad that this chapter is over, but just had a feeling that I needed to do this to be able to conceive again.

So we’ll just have to wait and see now….

The doctors said I could book an appointment to discuss my fertility after the 2 test results, but I was confident they would just tell me to come back after I’d weaned. So think I’ll give it maybe 3 months and book back in if nothing happens!

Thank you, and congratulations again! 💙💙

Hi @Hannah123456789012 - oh it is such an emotional time when you stop breastfeeding, I remember it really well. I felt so sad at first, but after a week or so I began to feel better (and actually appreciated the freedom) so I hope you start to feel better soon too.

I've not heard of the booby moon method - I will have to look that up when I fully wean my son!

Thank you for your lovely well-wishes. I wish you luck and strength on this journey. It can feel so incredibly lonely and hopeless at times, but one thing I've learnt is that so many people are going through similar (despite all the multi-child families you see everywhere 🙃) and it's important to always stay looking forwards. Don't let the doctors dismiss you just because you "already have one child" and be very kind and patient to yourself through this process. Good luck xxx