Nishmat's Women’s Health and HalachaIn memory of Chaya Mirel bat R' Avraham

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Staining while nursing 11-month-old

2 September, 2009

Question:

Hi: my baby is now 11 months and I nurse an average of 6 to 7 times in 24 hours. I haven't had my period since the baby was born, however as a precaution I take the micronor pill. 2 weeks ago I noticed a big area of my underwear covered in blood. A shaila was asked and it was ok. About a week later when I was wiping I also found blood on my tissue and I know I wasn't supposed to look but it happened by mistake and every time I wipe I feel this mushy thing and have a feeling its blood. Another shaila was asked over the phone and again it was ok and I was told not too look.

Is there any medical reason why I'm staining now? My baby is nursing on the same schedule as before and I'm taking the pill for a couple of months already. Is this a sign of ovulation? Could my period be coming soon? I'm trying to seek an answer and what can I do to stop the staining and continue nursing clean besides for nursing my baby on a schedule of 67 feedings in a day (as I'm doing now). Please advise as soon as possible. Thank you very much.


Answer:

It is difficult to precisely determine the cause of your staining, but it's most likely due to hormonal fluctuations in your body that happen as your baby gets older. Even if you continue to breastfeed at the same schedule, your hormone levels change over time and it not unusual for women to start staining near the end of the first year. This is particularly true if the baby is also starting to eat solids in addition to nursing.

There is no foolproof way to avoid getting your period while breastfeeding, especially as the baby gets older. You may want to look into herbal or natural supplements, but we are not experts in that field. In the meantime, please continue to take the precautions needed to make sure spotting does not make you unnecessarily niddah (colored underwear, not looking at toilet paper etc.)  Please see our section on stains for more information.

B'Hatzlacha! 


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