How effective is breastfeeding for birth control?

The Effectiveness of Breastfeeding as Birth Control
Breastfeeding is often heralded for its numerous health benefits for both mother and child, but it also serves a dual purpose as a natural form of birth control. This method, known as the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), can be effective under specific conditions.
How LAM Works
LAM relies on the natural hormonal changes that occur during breastfeeding. When a mother exclusively breastfeeds her infant, particularly in the early months, the body suppresses ovulation due to elevated levels of the hormone prolactin. This suppression can delay the return of menstruation, effectively reducing the chances of conception. For LAM to be effective, certain criteria must be met: the mother must be exclusively breastfeeding (no formula or solid foods), the baby should be less than six months old, and the mother should not have had her menstrual period return.
Effectiveness Rates
When practiced correctly, LAM can be up to 98% effective in preventing pregnancy during the first six months postpartum. However, its effectiveness diminishes significantly once the mother introduces other foods or if the baby begins to sleep longer stretches without breastfeeding. After six months, or if any of the conditions change, alternative contraceptive methods should be considered to maintain effective birth control.
Limitations and Considerations
While LAM can be a convenient and natural method of birth control, it is not without its limitations. The reliance on exclusive breastfeeding means that any deviation—such as introducing formula or solid foods—can increase the risk of ovulation and, consequently, pregnancy. Additionally, once a mother’s menstrual cycle resumes, LAM is no longer a reliable method of contraception.
Moreover, breastfeeding can sometimes lead to decreased vaginal lubrication, which may affect sexual comfort. This aspect is important for couples to consider when discussing family planning and sexual health postpartum.
Alternative Birth Control Options
For mothers who may not want to rely solely on LAM, there are several effective birth control options available that are compatible with breastfeeding. These include hormonal methods like the mini-pill, which has a lower dose of estrogen and is less likely to affect milk supply, as well as long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs and implants. These methods can be initiated shortly after childbirth and provide reliable protection against pregnancy without compromising breastfeeding.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding can serve as an effective form of birth control through the lactational amenorrhea method, particularly in the early months postpartum. However, its effectiveness is contingent upon strict adherence to exclusive breastfeeding practices and is not a long-term solution. As mothers transition beyond the six-month mark or introduce other foods, it is crucial to explore additional contraceptive options to ensure continued protection against unintended pregnancy.

Is nursing effective birth control?

But breastfeeding isn’t a long-term natural birth control method — you can only rely on breastfeeding to prevent pregnancy for the first 6 months of your baby’s life. Sometimes, you might get your period even before that. After you get your period or your baby is 6 months old, you’ll need another kind of birth control.

Can I get pregnant again if I am breastfeeding?

Do I have to stop breastfeeding to get pregnant? The answer is ‘possibly’. If your periods have returned and you are ovulating, your fertility levels may be high enough to get pregnant and weaning will not usually help any further.

How fertile are you after having a baby?

You can get pregnant 3 weeks after the birth of a baby, including if you’re breastfeeding and your periods haven’t started again. You need to use contraception every time you have sex after giving birth unless you want to get pregnant again. Your midwife will discuss contraception with you after your baby is born.

What are the chances of getting someone pregnant if they re on birth control?

The pill is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy — but only if you take it every day. Forgetting to take the pill at the scheduled time increases your chances of pregnancy if you’re sexually active. Nine out of every 100 people on the pill have unintended pregnancies each year.

How effective is birth control while breastfeeding?

Non-hormonal methods of contraception are compatible with breastfeeding though no method is 100% effective against pregnancy regardless of whether you are breastfeeding or not. Examples include: Barrier methods (condom, diaphragm, cervical cap, sponge )

How can I breastfeed my boyfriend but not pregnant?

Inducing lactation in people who aren’t pregnant requires medication that mimics hormones your body makes during pregnancy. Suckling from the nipple can initiate lactation, either with a breast pump or by a baby.

How reliable is breastfeeding as a contraceptive?

If you are breastfeeding and follow lactational amenorrhea method correctly all the time, it is more than 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. If you do not follow the instructions exactly, it’s 98% effective and 2 in 100 women will get pregnant again within 6 months of giving birth.

Is breastfeeding a very reliable form of birth control?

It’s important to remember that breastfeeding can only be used as birth control for the first 6 months of a baby’s life, or until your period returns. After that, breastfeeding is way less effective — especially as the baby begins to eat solid foods and sleeps longer at night.

What are the odds of getting pregnant while breastfeeding?

Two out of 100 people who use exclusive breastfeeding as birth control get pregnant in the six months it can be used after your baby is born. Because of this, many women use Lactation Amenorrhea Method (LAM) as a form of natural conception during the first few months after giving birth.