Many expectant mothers have come across the notion that breastfeeding can prevent pregnancy. I certainly believed it myself, thinking I would enjoy a break from my menstrual cycle. Unfortunately, that wasn’t my experience. While there is some validity to the idea that breastfeeding can work as a contraceptive, it’s not infallible. Here’s what you should know.
How to Use Breastfeeding as Birth Control
After giving birth, your body may take a few weeks or even months to regain fertility. Breastfeeding can help delay the return of your menstrual cycle and fertility through a natural method known as the Lactation Amenorrhea Method (LAM). However, for LAM to be effective, you must meet all of these criteria:
- Your baby is exclusively breastfed and does not use bottles or pacifiers, ensuring that all of their sucking needs are met at your breast.
- Your menstrual periods have not yet returned. Spotting could indicate that ovulation may have resumed.
- Your baby is under six months old. The likelihood of ovulating—and potentially becoming pregnant—grows as your child ages. While some women may not have their cycles return for more than six months, the risk of ovulation increases significantly once your baby surpasses that age.
LAM is not a guaranteed method of contraception. If you want to avoid getting pregnant while nursing, it’s wise to consider a backup contraceptive method. Health professionals typically recommend waiting at least a year—and ideally 18 months—before trying for another baby.
How Breastfeeding Can Prevent Pregnancy
Your body undergoes remarkable changes after childbirth. One significant hormone released is oxytocin, often referred to as the “feel-good” hormone. Beyond aiding in the contraction of your uterus and fostering relaxation, oxytocin also triggers your milk let-down reflex.
If you’ve given birth before, you know how easily this reflex can be activated. Just the sight or sound of your baby can stimulate oxytocin release, leading to unexpected moments of milk leakage.
Additionally, the hormone prolactin is continuously released while you breastfeed and is influenced by how often you nurse. The more frequently you nurse, the more prolactin is produced, which helps regulate your milk supply. Suckling at your breast sends signals to your brain to release more oxytocin, which, together with prolactin, inhibits ovulation. Without ovulation, pregnancy cannot occur.
Additional Insights on Breastfeeding and Fertility
According to AskDrSears.com, LAM is over 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when all guidelines are followed, but it’s crucial to remember that this is a temporary form of birth control. You could still ovulate and conceive before your first postpartum period, as ovulation typically occurs about two weeks before menstruation begins.
It is possible to breastfeed while trying to conceive again, and many women can continue breastfeeding during fertility treatments, depending on their specific situation, the age of the child, and nursing frequency.
In summary, yes, it is possible to become pregnant while breastfeeding. Relying solely on breastfeeding as a contraceptive is not a foolproof strategy. If preventing another pregnancy is your goal, consider discussing other reliable birth control options with your healthcare provider. For further insights on this subject, check out this article on home insemination. For expert guidance, visit Make a Mom, and for additional information on fertility, Medical News Today is an excellent resource.
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- Benefits of LAM as birth control
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In conclusion, while breastfeeding can help delay the return of fertility, it’s essential to use it cautiously and consider other birth control methods if you wish to prevent pregnancy.
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