Breastfeeding

What is the Breastfeeding Method?

Breastfeeding is the method of pregnancy prevention where a new mom breastfeeds her baby and does not use bottle feeding. When used correctly, it will work well up to 6 months after the baby is born to prevent pregnancy. This method is also sometimes referred to as Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM).

Breastfeeding works well to prevent pregnancy, but it does not protect against HIV and other STDs. If a woman is concerned that she might get a sexually transmitted disease from her partner, they should use condoms.

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How To Use It

To use breastfeeding as a birth control method, you must:

  • Start breastfeeding the day your baby is born.
  • Breastfeed every time your baby wants to be fed.
  • Feed the baby only breast milk, nothing else.
  • Breastfeed every time your baby wants the breast for comfort.
  • Breastfeed from both breasts.
  • Breastfeed at least every 4 hours during the day.
  • Breastfeed at least every 6 hours during the night.

If you follow these directions, you can use this as a method until your baby is 6 months old. Once you get your period, that means the ovaries are making eggs again. You must use another birth control method if you don't want to get pregnant.

If you are not sure you are breastfeeding the right way, meet with a Breastfeeding Consultant (Lactation Consultant) to learn more.

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Effectiveness

Perfect user: A person who uses their method of pregnancy prevention correctly all of the time.

Typical user: A person who does not use their method of pregnancy prevention correctly.

For women who use the method properly, breastfeeding can work very well for the first 6 months after the baby is born.

With perfect use, breastfeeding is 99% effective.

This means that if 100 women use the breastfeeding method perfectly, 1 of these women may get pregnant during the 6 months of breastfeeding.

With typical use, breastfeeding is 95% effective.

For women who don't use the breastfeeding method exactly the right way, 5 women out of 100 may get pregnant during the 6 months of breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding may not work at all for women who use a breast pump.

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Advantages

  • It is free.
  • You can have sex whenever you want.
  • You don't have to use any other method of pregnancy prevention.
  • Breastfeeding is healthy for you and your baby.
  • Breastfeeding can be used with other methods like condoms and spermicides.

Using the breastfeeding method gives you time to learn about other pregnancy prevention methods. You will want to choose a method you can use when you finish breastfeeding.

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Possible Side Effects

There are no side effects to using breastfeeding as a pregnancy prevention method.

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Possible Warning Signs

Breastfeeding is natural. It does not cause any serious health problems.

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