If you’re a new mom thinking about your future family planning goals, you might be wondering if it’s true that breastfeeding can prevent you from becoming pregnant. The general answer, unfortunately, is no — but there is a possible exception.
Our team at Eve Medical of Miami understands the confusion about breastfeeding’s reputation as a natural contraceptive. That’s why we’re here to break down the facts about breastfeeding and help you understand why reliable birth control should definitely be a priority in the days, weeks, and months following childbirth.
Many women who breastfeed believe nursing provides natural protection against pregnancy, and to some degree, that’s true: Breastfeeding triggers the release of a hormone called prolactin, which helps your body produce milk. In turn, higher prolactin levels suppress ovulation, making it less likely that you'll become pregnant in the early weeks and months after giving birth.
However, it’s also very important to know that the degree of ovulation suppression can vary — sometimes significantly — from one woman to the next, and even from one day to the next. Also, some new moms have a long delay before ovulation returns, while others start ovulating much sooner.
It’s also important to know that you can’t rely on your periods to know when your fertility has returned. For some moms, ovulation happens even before their first postpartum period, which means you can become pregnant a lot earlier than you realize.
That said, there is some scientific evidence supporting the breastfeeding-contraception link: The lactational amenorrhea method, or LAM, is based on your body’s natural responses to nursing as described above, and data show it can help prevent pregnancy for up to six months after delivery — but to be effective, you need to strictly adhere to some pretty rigid “rules.”
First, in order for LAM to work, your baby must be younger than six months old — and that’s the easy part. You also must only breastfeed your baby during those six months. No solid foods, no bottles, and no pumping.
Instead, you must follow your baby’s natural schedule, including feedings every 4-6 hours, both day and night. This frequency is necessary to maintain the hormone levels that help suppress ovulation and prevent pregnancy. And finally, you must not have had a period yet.
Not surprisingly, meeting all these criteria while caring for your family and meeting other obligations can be challenging — and even impossible for many moms, including moms who return to work soon after birth. If you “slip” and introduce formula or start to pump to make your schedule a little easier, you definitely can’t count on LAM to prevent pregnancy.
Because LAM depends on strict conditions, it’s generally a good idea for most new moms to consider another type of birth control method, regardless of whether they’re nursing or not.
Fortunately, we offer a full scope of birth control options that support family planning while being safe for your nursing baby.
Barrier methods like condoms and diaphragms can be effective, as long as they’re used correctly and consistently. Diaphragms and condoms rely on spermicides for maximum effect, so if you have concerns about these products, we may suggest another option, like a non-hormonal IUD.
Non-hormonal IUDs use copper ions, instead of hormones, to prevent pregnancy. Copper makes the vaginal environment inhospitable to sperm, reducing the chances of conception.
IUDs also have the advantage of being completely “hands off” — once in place, this “set-it-and-forget-it” contraceptive can provide protection for years before it needs to be replaced.
Finally, while some hormonal forms of birth control can affect your milk supply, others can be used without affecting your ability to nurse. During your office visit, we’ll discuss all your options, so you can choose the one that’s best for your needs and preferences.
Breastfeeding can be beneficial for your baby as well as for you — but it shouldn’t be relied upon as a birth control method. To find the right contraceptive for your needs, request an appointment with our expert team at Eve Medical of Miami in Miami, Florida, today.
