We have already discussed that breastfeeding is an effective means of birth control. But just like any other form of birth control, you have to play by the rules in order for it to be effective.
Rule #1–Menstrual Cycles
If you are one of those women whose menstrual cycle returns right after giving birth, breastfeeding will not work for you as a means of birth control. It is rare that this is the case, but some women just require very, very high levels of prolactin in their blood in order to suppress ovulation.
Rule #2–Babies More than 6 months old
If your baby is more than 6 months old, the effectiveness of breastfeeding as birth control decreases. This is because many babies start solids around this time so the amount they nurse decreases thus decreasing the hormone prolactin.
Rule #3–Practice Unrestricted Breastfeeding
dingYou cannot breastfeed on a schedule and be assured that you will not ovulate. Generally, 6 to 8 breastfeedings a day will suppress ovulations for most women. You should breastfeed as often as your baby demands and wait no more than three hours between feedings during the day and no more than 6 hours between feedings at night.
Rule #4–Don’t Train Your Baby to Sleep During the Night
Prolactin levels are highest between 1am and 6am. It is important to not restrict breastfeeding at night to suppress ovulation. You shouldn’t restrict breastfeeding at night for young babies anyways as its not good for them either. However, unrestricted night breastfeeding is a key component of suppressing fertility.
Rule #5–All of Baby’s Sucking Should Be at the Breast
You should not use pacifiers or bottles if you want to suppress ovulation. You should nurse your baby as frequently as he wants. That is to say that you should feed as well as pacify at the breast. (Also, you can delay the introduction of a sippy cup.)
Rule #6–Delay the Introduction of Solids
You can delay the introduction of solids until a year, actually. However, many exclusively breastfeeding parents start solids around 6 months. Feeding should be for supplemental nutrition at this point, and not to replace breastfeeding.
Research has shown that when you follow these rules, most mothers will not get their periods again until around 14.5 months. Once your period returns regularly, you should assume that you can get pregnant and should use other means of birth control if you don’t want another baby.
Please note, that this is not an exact science. Breastfeeding as an effective means of birth control is backed up by good research and if you follow these rules you likely will not get pregnant. Every woman’s body is different however, and in my opinion, after your baby is 6 months old, it is wise to watch for other signs of fertility. However, in the absence of a period, and any other signs of fertility, it is very likely that while you are breastfeeding you will not get pregnant.
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