Why Karel Marquez's Milk Supply Dropped After Getting Her First Period Postpartum

Two months after she gave birth to her third child, son Kobe, Karel Marquez Fariñas revealed on Instagram Stories that she got her period again, and the breastfeeding mom noticed her milk supply dipped.

“I had a sudden drop [in milk supply] when I had my period [yesterday] at afternoon time,” she revealed. “After doubling up on food/liquid boosting stuff for milk supply since yesterday…finally, my let down is back,” she said relieved.

Karel didn't have a problem with milk supply before and even donated breast milk to a friend.

“It is true, successful breastfeeding is unli-latch during dips or growth spurts,” Karel stressed. Karel said she didn’t use the bottle during this time.

“Just keep on latching if you think there is ‘none.’ You are enough — just don’t give up just yet,” Karel said to motivate and inspire other moms who may be having trouble with low breast milk supply.

In case you’re wondering about Karel’s milk supply-boosting formula, it’s Ava’s Lactation Spread in pesto cream cheese, peanut butter, and choco hazelnut flavors; one sachet of MQT Lactablend Breastfeeding Support Choco Mix; one scoop of Milo every morning; and unlimited latching with Kobe.

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When does a new mom get her first period after childbirth

After flushing out lochia, otherwise known as postpartum vaginal discharge, a new mom may get her first real menstruation as early as six to 12 weeks after giving birth. But breastfeeding moms typically wait longer like up to six months before their first period postpartum. According to La Leche League International, most breastfeeding moms may have their period between nine and 18 months after their baby’s birth.

The hormones a new mom produces when she’s exclusively breastfeeding delay the onset of menstruation. The absence of menstruation due to breastfeeding, also called lactational amenorrhea, can act as natural contraception, one of the perks of nursing for moms. But it only works if all three conditions are fulfilled:

• The mom is exclusively breastfeeding, or nursing her baby every two to three hours round the clock.
• Her baby is less than six months old.
• Her menstruation hasn’t started yet after birth.

There is no way of knowing for sure whether or not a new mom had ovulated once she gets her first period after childbirth. Other factors may also make a nursing mom more likely to get her first menstruation after giving birth. These include:

• You’re breastfeeding but not exclusively.
• You have introduced the bottle for some feedings.
• Your baby starts sleeping through the night.
• You started giving your child solid foods (usually when your baby is six months)
• You’ve stopped nursing or is weaning your child from the breast.

Karel shared two possible reasons she got her period early even though she’s breastfeeding. She introduced the bottle to Kobe and used it to feed him her stashed breast milk once a week. Her son was sleeping longer at night.

“It is common to have a drop in supply at certain points in your cycle, often from mid-cycle to around the time of your period,” according to La Leche League International. Breastfeeding during or after having your first menstruation may also be less comfortable due to the hormonal changes in your body, but it should not take long.

For more tips how to boost low breast milk supply, click here.

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