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Breastfeeding And Fertility “Fertility Breastfeeding Advice”

Breastfeeding and fertility advice for moms who want to prevent or induce pregnancy

Mom needs to know if she can fall pregnant while breastfeeding – either because she wants to prevent pregnancy naturally or if she wants to have another baby.

loss of fertility while breast feeding could either be used by mom or could be the result of mom needing to wean earlier than desired.

Effects of breastfeeding on fertility are different for everyone and influenced by many different factors.

Fertility while breastfeeding - the facts

- Half of all breastfeeding moms have their periods return within the tenth month after baby’s birth

- About 20% of all breastfeeding moms will become pregnant by the year mark if they have not taken any contraceptive measures

- Ovulation in a woman who is not breastfeeding can take place within three weeks

- The chances of a fully-breastfeeding mom (amenorrheic “period has not returned”) becoming fertile is less than 1-2%

- Exclusive Breastfeeding method of birth control - 98-99.5% effective in preventing fertility if LAM (below) is followed correctly.

- After six months postpartum there is a 6% chance of falling pregnant before your first period.

Breastfeeding and fertility

~Interesting fact~

Is a pregnancy test accurate while breastfeeding?
Yes, the levels of HCG are not affected by breastfeeding so a pregnancy test will be just as reliable while breastfeeding

How to prevent fertility while breastfeeding “ecological breastfeeding”

How can I use breastfeeding to prevent pregnancy?

LAM “lactational Amenorrhea Method” – Lactation induced amenorrhea is when mom keeps her levels of prolactin high as to keep infertile. How to do this?

- Your infant must be less than six months old

- Mom is amenorrheic (She has not started menstruating yet)

- Baby is breastfed around the clock and not given any other foods, supplements or pacifiers. This will keep your prolactin levels up which will delay fertility. Baby should be breastfed at least every four hours and this includes night feedings. Once baby starts sleeping through the night mom has a higher chance of becoming fertile.

Tips to maximize your infertility window

- Nurse as much as you can, even comfort nursing will help as the nipple stimulation increases prolactin levels

- Nurse baby at night, sleeping with baby in bed will help

- If you are expressing your breastmilk you should keep baby or a picture of baby nearby

Breastfeeding and fertility

~Interesting fact~

Woman who fall pregnant while breastfeeding are more likely to fall pregnant with twins! The non lactating population has a 1.1% chance of conceiving twins, but a breastfeeding mom's chances are 12.4%

Getting pregnant while breastfeeding “Boosting Fertility while Breastfeeding”

- Sometimes even a little nursing (100 minutes daily) can cause lactational infertility

- Mom might have to decide to wean baby (more on gentle weaning here)

- In other cases mom might only need to cut out some feedings, maybe at night or even just decrease the duration of feeds. As soon as some of the nipple stimulation is decreased, you will start to become fertile.

- Start with solid foods or increase the amount of solid foods baby eats to increase your breastfeeding fertility

Can I fall pregnant while breastfeeding?

Yes, a breastfeeding pregnancy is achievable; implantation is more difficult while breastfeeding because of your high prolactin levels, but pregnancy while breastfeeding is possible and mom can even continue to breastfeed while pregnant. (pregnant breastfeeding tips)

Signs that you are becoming fertile “Breastfeeding and menstruation”

- Some moms report period pains months before their first period

- Moms should check their cervical mucus, fertile mucus is thick and stretchy.

- Your first period should be seen as a “warning period” and contraception methods should be implemented if mom doesn't want to fall pregnant

Breastfeeding and fertility

~Interesting fact~

Can I fall pregnant before I get my first period?
It is very rare, but yes you can fall pregnant before your first period. Moms should keep an eye on their cervical mucus as mentioned above.

Preferred contraceptive measures while breastfeeding

- Condoms

- Diaphragms

- Non hormonal IUDs

- Contraceptive sponges

- Cervical caps

- If you do decide to go on the pill, ask your doctor for a progestin-only pill as this will not reduce your milk supply as much as estrogen containing pill

Breastfeeding and fertility ~ E-book on other fertility problems and solutions

Other pages on "breastfeeding problems" that are connected to fertility and breastfeeding

- Pumping exclusively

- Breastfeeding while pregnant

- Weaning a baby off of breastfeeding

- Breastfeeding stories

- Sex and breastfeeding

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What Other Moms Have Said

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I breastfeed exclusively, and I have period.
As I said in my title I have been breastfeeding exclusively since my daughter was born five months ago. Minus a couple nights out where she was fed formula....

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