Can I use Natural Cycles if Im breastfeeding?

Can You Use Natural Cycles While Breastfeeding?
Natural Cycles, a popular fertility tracking app, is designed to help users understand their menstrual cycles and manage their reproductive health. However, many new mothers wonder whether they can effectively use this app while breastfeeding. The answer is nuanced and depends on individual circumstances.
Starting Natural Cycles Post-Pregnancy
You can begin using Natural Cycles at any point after giving birth, including while breastfeeding. However, it’s important to note that the app will initially only show “Red Days,” which indicate days when you are not fertile, until your first ovulation is confirmed. This is crucial because the timing of ovulation can vary significantly among individuals, especially in the postpartum period .
Understanding Ovulation and Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding can influence ovulation. The hormone prolactin, which is elevated during breastfeeding, can suppress ovulation, making it less likely for a woman to conceive while nursing. However, this is not a foolproof method of birth control. Many women may not resume regular menstrual cycles until several months after childbirth, particularly if they are exclusively breastfeeding.
For those who are breastfeeding and have not yet had a period, Natural Cycles may still be used, but users should be aware that the app will not provide reliable fertility predictions until ovulation is detected. This means that while you can use the app, it may not be as effective in helping you avoid pregnancy until your body resumes its normal cycle.
Consulting with Healthcare Providers
If you have specific questions or concerns about using Natural Cycles while breastfeeding, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare provider. They can offer personalized advice based on your health history and breastfeeding status. Additionally, Natural Cycles has a customer support team available to assist users with any inquiries related to their app usage during this period.
In summary, while you can use Natural Cycles while breastfeeding, be prepared for the app to initially limit your fertility tracking capabilities until your body begins to ovulate again. Understanding your own body’s signals and consulting with healthcare professionals can help you navigate this transition effectively.

What do doctors say about Natural Cycles?

Talk about birth control effectiveness
However, it’s an unfortunate reality that no birth control method is 100% effective. With typical use, Natural Cycles is 93% effective (that means 7 women out of 100 will get pregnant during a year of using the app). Natural Cycles is 98% effective with perfect use.

How can I track my fertility while breastfeeding?

Determining fertility with natural biological markers during breastfeeding can be difficult. Breastfeeding not only affects the regularity of cycles (both the length and phases of the cycle), but also common natural indicators of fertility such as cervical mucus patterns and basal body temperature.

Are you super fertile while breastfeeding?

While exclusive breastfeeding can temporarily delay your fertility postpartum, making it more difficult to conceive while nursing, it’s not impossible. With that in mind, the short answer is yes, you can get pregnant while breastfeeding.

Do Natural Cycles work while breastfeeding?

Yes, Natural Cycles will take your recent pregnancy into account. You will only be given Red Days until your first ovulation is confirmed or you log your first period. The timing of your first ovulation post-birth can vary widely from person to person and often depends on whether you’re breastfeeding or not.

Which birth control pill is best while breastfeeding?

It’s thought that estrogen may be at the root of this. If you’d like to use an oral contraceptive, the mini-pill is an option. This pill contains progestin only, so it’s considered to be safer for breastfeeding mothers.

How can I get my period naturally while breastfeeding?

You are more likely to ovulate and resume regular periods if your baby is going for more than a few hours without breastfeeding (for instance, at night) and your baby is more than 6 months old. Most breastfeeding mothers will resume their periods between 9 and 18 months after their baby’s birth.

Which pills are best for breastfeeding mothers?

What medications are safe to take while breastfeeding?

• Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others)
• Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others)
• Naproxen sodium (Aleve, Anaprox DS, others) — short-term use only.

Who should not use Natural Cycles?

No, you cannot use Natural Cycles while you are using hormonal birth control. In general, the hormones in hormonal birth control affect your temperature. As Natural Cycles uses body temperature to calculate your fertility status, the app cannot be used together with any hormones that impact your temperature.

Do natural cycles work if you are breastfeeding?

Yes, Natural Cycles will take your recent pregnancy into account. You will only be given Red Days until your first ovulation is confirmed or you log your first period. The timing of your first ovulation post-birth can vary widely from person to person and often depends on whether you’re breastfeeding or not.

What birth control is not safe for breastfeeding?

For the first 3 weeks after giving birth, don’t use a method that has the hormone estrogen, like the pill, patch, or ring. After 3 weeks, you can start any of these methods.