Often mums that come to us considering their next steps are worried about waiting too long to try and conceive again. They may be older mums that are conscious of the time it took to conceive and the drop in success rate by age category - we totally understand that, but as with anything, feel it best that mums make an informed choice, in full knowledge of any risk factors.
Based on available evidence, we feel it best practice to recommend that no fertility treatment is sought until a nursing baby is at least 12 months old, and there are valid reasons for this.
Firstly, it is less typical for cycles to return within 12 months, and it is totally normal for cycles to take 18-24 months or more to return. Whilst the return of periods isn’t necessarily imperative in starting treatment, seeking treatment before this tends to worry mums that something totally normal (the absence of menstrual cycles) is ‘standing in their way’.
Additionally, Prolactin levels tend to drop to normal after around 12 months. Prior to this prolactin may still be elevated and theoretically, this may have an impact on the success of treatment.
Finally and most importantly, it is vital to note that some of the medications (and obviously any resulting pregnancy) can reduce a mother’s milk supply so it is considered safest to wait until a baby is older than 12 months and not as nutritionally reliant on your milk.
Whilst there is obviously the option of supplementing a younger baby that has a higher nutritional requirement for milk, a reduction of supply can often go undetected for some time, and be difficult to quantify. This can leave a younger baby at serious risk where milk supply is affected and supplementation isn’t sufficient. Regular supplementation also has the potential to have a detrimental impact on a breastfeeding journey.
If, knowing the risks, you feel your circumstances mean that you have to consider treatment with a younger baby under 12 months, then it would be a good idea to engage with a breastfeeding professional for maximum support. Please do join our Facebook group for further information or contact us by email to discuss your situation. You can do this via the ‘contact’ page.
Based on available evidence, we feel it best practice to recommend that no fertility treatment is sought until a nursing baby is at least 12 months old, and there are valid reasons for this.
Firstly, it is less typical for cycles to return within 12 months, and it is totally normal for cycles to take 18-24 months or more to return. Whilst the return of periods isn’t necessarily imperative in starting treatment, seeking treatment before this tends to worry mums that something totally normal (the absence of menstrual cycles) is ‘standing in their way’.
Additionally, Prolactin levels tend to drop to normal after around 12 months. Prior to this prolactin may still be elevated and theoretically, this may have an impact on the success of treatment.
Finally and most importantly, it is vital to note that some of the medications (and obviously any resulting pregnancy) can reduce a mother’s milk supply so it is considered safest to wait until a baby is older than 12 months and not as nutritionally reliant on your milk.
Whilst there is obviously the option of supplementing a younger baby that has a higher nutritional requirement for milk, a reduction of supply can often go undetected for some time, and be difficult to quantify. This can leave a younger baby at serious risk where milk supply is affected and supplementation isn’t sufficient. Regular supplementation also has the potential to have a detrimental impact on a breastfeeding journey.
If, knowing the risks, you feel your circumstances mean that you have to consider treatment with a younger baby under 12 months, then it would be a good idea to engage with a breastfeeding professional for maximum support. Please do join our Facebook group for further information or contact us by email to discuss your situation. You can do this via the ‘contact’ page.