Breastfeeding during Your Period: When Aunt Flow comes to visit

Originally published on Oct 11, 2023; Revised Sept 30, 2025

Author: Robin Kaplan, M.Ed, IBCLC, FNC

One of the many surprises of the postpartum journey is how your body responds to chest/breastfeeding—and that includes your period. Some parents enjoy months (or even years!) without a menstrual cycle, while others see their period return much sooner than expected. Let’s take a closer look at why your cycle may return (sooner rather than later), how it can impact chest/breastfeeding, and what you can do to support your body during this time.

ABOUT SDBFC

The San Diego Breastfeeding Center was established in 2009 by Robin Kaplan, International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, Functional Nutritionist, and parent.  Her vision was to create a judgment-free, inclusive support system for families navigating infant feeding challenges. 

SDBFC offers a wide range of one-on-one breastfeeding, infant feeding, and nutrition consultations - as well as classes, support groups, online articles, and social media - making it your one-stop-shop for all things infant feeding!

When Will My Period Return While Breastfeeding?

Unfortunately, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Lactating does suppress your cycle for a while, but the timing is different for everyone. Some parents may not menstruate for months—or even years—while others see their period return within a few weeks or months.

Here are a few factors that can influence when your period returns:

• How often your baby nurses

• How often your baby receives a supplement (other than your milk) in a bottle

• Whether your baby uses a pacifier

• How long your baby is sleeping at night

• If your baby has started solids

• Your unique body chemistry and hormone balance
  

Typically, the more often your baby is at the chest/breast—day and night—the longer your period might be delayed. When you chest/breastfeed, your body produces high levels of prolactin. This hormone stimulates milk production but also suppresses the release of hormones necessary for ovulation and menstruation (like estrogen and progesterone).

Once your baby begins feeding less often—perhaps because of longer stretches of nighttime sleep or supplementation with something other than your milk—your prolactin levels drop, signaling your body to start ovulating again.

Will Breastfeeding Feel Different When My Period Returns?

For some parents, nothing changes at all. For others, hormonal shifts can bring a few noticeable differences, such as:

• Nipple tenderness during ovulation and menstruation

• A temporary dip in milk supply in the days leading up to your period

• Baby wanting to nurse more often to compensate for lower milk volume

• Baby feeding less, since some babies notice a slight change in the taste of milk

• Baby getting frustrated at the chest/breast due to reduced flow
  

The good news? These changes are temporary. A few days into your period, your milk supply and nursing rhythm usually return to normal.

What Can I Do About a Temporary Dip in Milk Supply?

• If you notice your supply dipping during your cycle, here are a few strategies to try:

  • Let your baby nurse as often as they want (it may feel like a short growth spurt).

  • Consider adding a daily magnesium glycinate supplement (120–240 mg at night) to support your body as hormone levels shift.

  • Increase iron-rich foods—like leafy greens, beans, and red meat—or consider a gentle supplement such as Floradix or Green Super Foods.

  Add milk-boosting herbs (galactagogues) into your routine, if needed.
  (Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplements or herbs.)

If you’re struggling with milk supply once your period returns, we are just a call away!

Don’t let milk supply or feeding struggles cause stress for you or your baby!  At each lactation appointment, our lactation consultants complete a full oral assessment, discuss feeding patterns, take a full history on your milk supply, and offer strategies for boosting your milk supply once your period has returned.  Book a one-on-one bottle feeding consultation today

SDBFC is committed to providing high-quality lactation and functional nutrition consultations to parents in San Diego and beyond. Explore our postpartum, prenatal, and functional nutrition consultations, take a breastfeeding class or attend a workshop.

About the Author

Robin Kaplan has been an IBCLC since 2009, the same year that she opened up the San Diego Breastfeeding Center.  Robin was the founding host of the Boob Group podcast and published her first book, Latch: a Handbook for Breastfeeding with Confidence at Every Stage in 2018.  Melding her passions for supporting lactating parents and holistic health, Robin finished her Functional Nutrition Certification in 2023. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her two teenage boys, hiking, traveling, weaving, cooking, and searching for the best chai latte.