Many believe that breastfeeding is a reliable method of contraception. But trusting in this belief may have a mother nursing one baby while pregnant with a new one.
When, if ever, does breastfeeding protect against a new pregnancy?
Breastfeeding keeps the levels of the hormone prolactin high, and this can prevent a new pregnancy because it stops ovulation. No ovulation, no pregnancy. If a mother is breastfeeding exclusively, with no complementary formula, then she can expect this contraceptive effect to last for about six months. But if the child is on a mixed diet or is bottle fed with formula, then ovulation will resume much sooner [1].
Is it better to feed by the hour or on demand to maintain prolactin levels high enough for contraceptive effects?
The feeding schedule does not matter. Pregnancy is always possible after menstruation returns.
So, if you haven’t had a period, then you definitely can't get pregnant. Right?
Pregnancy is still possible even if you haven’t had your period because you will begin to ovulate about two weeks before menstruation starts again. Therefore, obstetricians and gynecologists recommend contraceptive protection in the following cases:
immediately after giving birth, if the mother does not breastfeed or combines it with formula-feeding
after six months, if the mother breastfeeds the baby exclusively
If menstruation has resumed, regardless of the way the baby is fed
If I get pregnant, can I continue breastfeeding?
Most of the research on this topic focuses on pregnancy and shows that breastfeeding does not negatively affect the health of the mother or the unborn baby [2]. However, the effects on the nursing child have not been studied enough. Pregnancy can affect the amount of milk a mother produces, as well as its taste, which may lead the child to give up the breast. In any case, a vitamin and mineral supplement might be a good idea [3].
Will breastfeeding (nipple stimulation) increase the risk of miscarriage?
If a healthy nursing mother becomes pregnant, her risk of miscarrying is the same as anyone else’s. But if she has a complicated obstetric history or hormonal issues, then the chances of losing the pregnancy increase. The risk of miscarriage in women who are breastfeeding is believed to be lower if the nursing child is not breastfeeding exclusively [3].
