Many expectant mothers have come across the common belief that breastfeeding can prevent pregnancy. I certainly did, and I thought it would at least give me a break from my menstrual cycle. However, that wasn’t the case for me. While breastfeeding does have some validity as a method of birth control, it isn’t completely reliable. Here’s what you need to be aware of regarding the Lactation Amenorrhea Method (LAM).
How to Use Breastfeeding as Birth Control
After giving birth, your body may take weeks or even months to regain its fertility. Breastfeeding can help postpone the return of your menstrual cycle and fertility. This natural method of contraception, known as LAM, requires that you meet all of the following conditions for it to be effective:
- Your baby is exclusively and frequently breastfed without the use of bottles or pacifiers, ensuring all sucking needs are met at the breast.
- Your menstrual cycle has not resumed. Spotting could indicate that ovulation might have returned, and you could be fertile.
- Your baby is under six months old. As your child grows older, the likelihood of ovulation increases. While some mothers may take longer for their cycles to return, the risk of ovulation rises significantly after six months.
It’s important to note that LAM is not a foolproof method of contraception. If you want to avoid another pregnancy while nursing, it’s best to consider additional birth control methods. According to medical professionals, it’s generally recommended to wait at least a year, and ideally 18 months, before trying to conceive again.
How Breastfeeding Can Prevent Pregnancy
Your body is quite remarkable. After childbirth, it produces oxytocin, known as the “feel-good” hormone. This hormone not only helps your uterus shrink but also plays a crucial role in milk let-down. You may know the sensation that precedes the release of breast milk, triggered by factors such as seeing or hearing your baby.
Additionally, prolactin is steadily released during breastfeeding, and its levels increase with how often you nurse. This hormone helps manage your milk supply and also works in tandem with oxytocin to suppress ovulation by sending signals to the brain to inhibit the hormones that trigger ovulation. With no ovulation, pregnancy cannot occur.
More on Breastfeeding and Fertility
According to health experts, LAM can be over 98% effective in preventing pregnancy if all criteria are met (which can be easy to overlook). However, you must remain cautious as it is possible to ovulate before your first postpartum period. Most women typically ovulate about two weeks prior to their period.
If you’re considering growing your family while still nursing, you can continue breastfeeding while trying to conceive. You might also be able to nurse during fertility treatments, depending on your specific situation and how often you’re breastfeeding.
In essence, it is indeed possible to become pregnant while breastfeeding. Relying solely on breastfeeding as a birth control method is not completely effective. If you wish to avoid another pregnancy, consult your healthcare provider about alternative birth control options.
For more information on this topic, check out this related post here. Also, for expert insights on home insemination, visit Make a Mom. For comprehensive information on family planning, Resolve is an excellent resource.
Summary
In summary, while breastfeeding can delay fertility and menstrual cycles through the Lactation Amenorrhea Method (LAM), it is not a guaranteed form of birth control. Meeting specific criteria is essential for maximum effectiveness, and caution is advised as ovulation can occur even before your first postpartum period. If pregnancy is not your goal while nursing, consider discussing reliable birth control options with your healthcare provider.
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