Missed a Period While Nursing? Don’t Panic—Read This First

If you’re breastfeeding and your period hasn’t come back yet—or it disappeared after showing up for a bit—you’re not alone. A missed period while breastfeeding is totally normal. Your menstrual cycle can take its time returning postpartum, especially if you’re nursing frequently.

Let’s break down why that happens, what to expect, and when to consider taking a pregnancy test (yes, it’s still possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding).

A Late or Missed Period While Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding increases a hormone in your body called prolactin—the one responsible for milk production. But prolactin does more than just help you nurse. It also suppresses ovulation, which means your body might skip releasing an egg altogether. No ovulation = no period.

This natural delay is known as lactational amenorrhea. It’s your body’s way of focusing on feeding your baby and putting fertility on the back burner—at least for now. WHO – Family planning.

When to Expect Your Period to Return

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. Everyone’s body reacts differently, but here are some general trends:

Exclusively breastfeeding? Your period might stay away for several months—sometimes even past the six-month mark.
Combining nursing and formula? Your cycle could return sooner.
Started solids? Night weaning? Hormonal shifts like these often trigger the return of your period.
Returning to work or dropping feeds? Less frequent nursing, especially at night, usually signals to your body that it’s time to ovulate again.

Even after your period comes back, don’t be surprised if it’s irregular for a while. That’s completely normal.

Can You Ovulate Without a Period?

Yes—absolutely. Ovulation happens before your period, so it’s entirely possible to release an egg and not even know it.

This means you can get pregnant while breastfeeding, even if your cycle hasn’t returned yet.

If and When to Take a Pregnancy Test

If you’ve had unprotected sex and notice some of the signs below, it might be time to take a test:

Your milk supply drops unexpectedly
Your period stops after several months of being regular
Breastfeeding suddenly feels painful or uncomfortable
Your nipples are unusually sore or sensitive
You’re more tired than usual or feeling nauseous

Not sure when to test?

If you’ve had unprotected sex: wait about 3 weeks and then take a test.
If your period is usually regular but now it’s late: test about 4 days after your missed period.
If your cycle is all over the place: count 3 weeks from when you think you may have conceived.

For the most accurate result, use first-morning urine—it has the highest concentration of pregnancy hormone (hCG).

How Breastfeeding Affects Your Cycle Long Term

Here’s the bottom line: the more often you nurse—especially at night—the higher your prolactin levels stay. And the higher your prolactin, the longer your body may hold off on ovulating.

But as soon as your baby starts sleeping longer stretches, or if you begin supplementing with formula or solids, your hormones begin to shift. That shift can bring your period back, sometimes without much warning.

Some people feel PMS-like symptoms before ovulation or their first period (cramping, mood swings, etc.), while others have no clue until bleeding starts.

Is Breastfeeding Birth Control?

Yes—but only under very specific conditions. This method is called the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), and it’s only considered effective if:

Your baby is under 6 months old
You’re exclusively breastfeeding—no bottles, pacifiers, or solids
You’re nursing both day and night, regularly
Your period hasn’t returned yet

If any of those change, it’s time to consider other birth control options. Some that are safe while breastfeeding include:

The mini-pill (progestin-only) The progestin-only pill (often called the mini-pill) is recommended for breastfeeding moms because it’s safe for your milk supply and your baby.
IUDs
Condoms
Implants

Your healthcare provider can help you figure out what’s best for your body and your plans. CDC – Contraception methods.

Final Thoughts

Missing your period while breastfeeding is common, and usually nothing to worry about. It’s just your hormones doing their thing. But it’s important to remember that ovulation can sneak up on you—even without a period.

If you’re not trying for another baby, use birth control. And if you think you might be pregnant, don’t wait too long to take a test.

Your body is adjusting, healing, and feeding a baby all at once. Give it time—and give yourself some grace.

Q&A

Q – I missed my period while breastfeeding…could I be pregnant? I have an eight-month-old baby, and I’m still breastfeeding exclusively, including a few night feeds. She’s also started eating solids.
My period came back four months postpartum and was somewhat regular for three months. My husband had a vasectomy, and we got confirmation that he’s sterile. But now I’m a week late, and I’m nervous to take a pregnancy test. – Mary

A – Hi Mary,
It’s completely understandable to feel nervous, but try not to worry. A missed period while breastfeeding is quite common. Even though your period returned and seemed regular, hormones can still fluctuate during lactation. This can cause irregular periods or missed cycles, especially when your baby starts solids.
Since your husband’s vasectomy has been confirmed effective, pregnancy is very unlikely. However, taking a pregnancy test is the only way to know for sure. You’re not alone—many breastfeeding parents experience the same thing.

Q – My son is almost ten months old, and I’m still exclusively nursing. I didn’t start solids until he was six months old. My period returned two months postpartum and was regular, but now I haven’t had one in four months. I took two pregnancy tests—both were negative. Should I see my doctor, or is this normal? – Janice (Ontario, Canada)

A – Hi Janice,
What you’re going through sounds very normal. A missed period while breastfeeding is often due to hormone changes, even after your cycle initially returns. Prolactin, the hormone that supports milk production, can suppress ovulation. That means your periods might stop again, become irregular, or change with your breastfeeding habits.
Since your pregnancy tests were negative and you’re still nursing frequently, it’s likely just a shift in your hormones. You’re doing great, and your experience is something many nursing parents go through.

Can I get pregnant if my period hasn’t come back?

Yes. Ovulation can happen before your first postpartum period.

Is spotting normal while nursing?

Yes. Hormones shift, and light spotting isn’t uncommon.

References and Resources

La Leche League – Online breastfeeding support group
Mayo Clinic – Postpartum care

Tracy

I’m Tracy Behr, a qualified wellness and nutrition coach, breastfeeding advocate, and homeschooling mom of two. For over sixteen years, I’ve been helping mothers navigate breastfeeding challenges through my website breastfeeding-problems.com I combine evidence-based knowledge with real-life experience to help parents feel more confident in their breastfeeding journey. I’ve experienced firsthand that breastfeeding isn’t always as easy as we expect. When I had my babies, I faced my own challenges and quickly saw just how much support and clear guidance moms truly need. That’s why I started this website—to share what I’ve learned, offer encouragement, and help other moms feel less alone on their breastfeeding journey.