It’s a common misconception that breastfeeding is a form of birth control. But that is not necessarily the case. And although it could be more difficult to get pregnant without a consistent period, it certainly isn't impossible. That’s why it’s important to have all the information on how baby feeding affects family planning, what types of birth control options are available to you, and what help and support is out there.
Does breastfeeding really act as birth control?
It is true that breastfeeding acts as a form of birth control due to breastfeeding hormones preventing you from getting a monthly period and releasing eggs. This is called LAM or the lactation amenorrhea method.
However, this method only works if:
- Baby is under 6 months of age
- You are exclusively breastfeeding and feeding at least every four hours. (ask Bri if pumping counts)
- You have not gotten a period
While this method can be useful and convenient for nursing families and can be at least 98% effective in preventing pregnancy, there are still other things to consider. LAM does not protect you from sexually transmitted infections or diseases. As well, it needs to be followed perfectly to work. It’s important to talk to your provider or care team if you plan to exclusively use LAM as a form of birth control.
What other forms of birth control are safe while breastfeeding
There are so many different types of birth control with different pros and cons to each. It’s important to understand each one’s effectiveness and make the decision that works best for you and your family.
Ovulation tracking
One method of family planning is to track when you are most likely to get pregnant or when you are ovulating. Most women usually ovulate about 12 to 14 days before their next period, however, the five days leading up and the first day of ovulation are designated as your fertile window. It’s important to note that everyone’s menstrual cycle is different, and if you have irregular periods this may not be a great method to practice.
Withdrawal
Likely the least effective method, withdrawal also known as the pull-out method, only works about 78% of the time. When combined with ovulation tracking it can improve your chances of not getting pregnant.
Oral
A popular method, oral contraception has been used for many years. This method requires you to take a single pill at the same time every day. Some common side effects are weight gain or nausea but the pill is considered to be about 99% effective if taken correctly.
IUD
An IUD is considered the most effective form of birth control. These small t-shaped devices are inserted into the uterus and release copper preventing sperm from fertilizing any eggs. There are often no side effects at all, however, if you do plan on conceiving you should talk to your doctor about the best time to remove it as it could take time for the effects to wear off.
These are only a few of the many different types of birth control available to you. Talk to your doctor or care team if you want to explore more options.
What if I’m trying to conceive
If you are looking to grow your family while still nursing, talking with your care team is a great place to start. Everybody is different. And the return of your period may also cause some changes in breastfeeding.
If you are trying to conceive while still nursing a baby there are some important things to keep in mind:
- Dropping a nursing session or introducing solids (when appropriate) can increase your chances of ovulation
- You may need to increase your food intake even more to aid with keeping your supply while ovulating
- If you do conceive, your milk supply may drop
As with everything, it’s important to discuss all of this with your care team and lactation consultant.
