About Loreena Walsh Expertise Whatever your breastfeeding question, I am happy to help. Worried about supply, engorgement, mastitis, attachment, nipple pain and soreness, whatever the worry you are not alone.
Experience I have successfully breastfed my 3 children until over 16 months of age. Through this I have experienced cracked blistered nipples, mastitis, attachement problems, weaning, self doubt and plenty of great memories and happiness. I love the benefits of breastfeeding for mother and baby adn believe that if more support were available for new mother's there would a greater breastfeeding success rate worldwide.
Education/Credentials I have worked in Maternity during my Bachelor of Nursing and am a strong advocate of breastfeeding, and support for mothers.
Expert: Loreena Walsh Date: 7/16/2008 Subject: Bleeding while breastfeeding
Question I had my daughter on November 9, 2007. She is now 8 months old. I have breastfed her the whole time. I went to my 6 week checkup after she was born and I was still bleeding. In January of this year I recieved the depo provera shot and continued to bleed off and on for months. I called my doctor and they said to come in and they would check me out. Basically, they told me that the depo shot was the cause of my bleeding. So, I dealt with it and in May,I went and had the paraguard iud placed. They said that the iud would cause some bleeing for maybe a month. Well, it is the middle of July and still not stopped. Last week , I went for my pap and doctor said that breastfeeding could also be the cause for my bleeding. I've never heard of this. If anything, I thought you were'nt supposed to have a period at all. I don't want to stop breastfeeding unless this is really the problem. Please help!
Answer Hi Andrea,
It's not unusual for women to be still bleeding at the 6 week checkup but it should cease by the 10 week mark. Depo Provera is also known for causing irregular bleeding, so there is nothing abnormal about that.
Generally breastfeeding itself isn't a cause of bleeding as such, although with increased feeding or decreased feeding you may sometimes notice spotting or get intermittent bleeding.
If you aren't comfortable with the doctor's explanation, I would encourage you to seek a second opinion and have another doctor check your IUD, there may also be other possibilities that need ruling out.
I would encourage you to keep breastfeeding, as I said earlier it is not generally the cause of bleeding, and generally only due to changes in feeding patterns.
