Non Hormonal Methods - Breastfeeding Educational Resource

Non-hormonal Methods

Breastfeeding

If you are a breastfeeding mother, you may get your regular period back a few weeks after birth (about 28 weeks after birth). However, this can be different for every woman. Some women may get their period back sooner, or some do not get any periods while breastfeeding, this called (Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

L= Lactation means breastfeeding
A= Amenorrhea means having no monthly period
M= Method

Breastfeeding can be used as a method of contraception with a 98 per cent success rate if:

Your periods have not returned.
You are breastfeeding your baby exclusively on demand, day and night without giving any dummies/pacifiers or other fluid or food to your baby during the first six months after birth.

The risk of pregnancy increases if:

You start breastfeeding less often, especially if there are long intervals between feeds both
day and night, or you stop night feeds.
You use a dummy/pacifier.
You give any artificial supplements.
After six months, even if you are breastfeeding exclusively and your period has not returned.

Breastfeeding exclusively can stop you from ovulating, but even though many unplanned pregnancies happen in the first few months after birth , so it’s much safer to arrange other forms of contraception after giving birth, especially when your periods have returned.