I still remember the moment my wife and I found out we were going to be parents for the first time. It was a mix of excitement, panic, and a sudden realization that sleep was about to become a luxury. Fast forward to the sleepless nights, diaper explosions, and my wife embracing the incredible journey of breastfeeding, we stumbled upon an unexpected fact; breastfeeding can work as a natural contraceptive. At first, I thought it was one of those old wives' tales, but as we dug into the science, we found it’s more than just folklore; it's biology at its finest.
How Does Breastfeeding Prevent Pregnancy?
The contraceptive effect of breastfeeding is based on a natural process called lactational amenorrhea (LAM). In simple terms, exclusive breastfeeding can suppress ovulation, making pregnancy less likely. This occurs because the act of breastfeeding affects the body’s hormone production, particularly prolactin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
Prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production, inhibits the release of GnRH, which in turn suppresses luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), the key players in ovulation.
Without ovulation, there’s no egg released, and without an egg, conception is impossible. According to reports, for LAM to work effectively, there are some key conditions:
The baby must be exclusively breastfed (no formula, no solid foods, and minimal pacifier use).
The baby should nurse frequently, at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night.
The mother should still be in postpartum amenorrhea (no return of periods).
My wife and I realized that while this method is scientifically backed, it’s not foolproof. Once feeding patterns change or the baby starts consuming solids, the effectiveness of LAM decreases significantly.
Why Doesn’t This Work for All Women?
While some women successfully avoid pregnancy for months using LAM like in my wife's case, others find themselves with another bundle of joy much sooner than expected. Several factors have been reported to affect its reliability:
Hormonal Variations: Some women’s bodies may produce lower levels of prolactin even with frequent breastfeeding, allowing ovulation to return earlier than expected.
Breastfeeding Frequency and Duration: If a baby starts sleeping through the night or spacing out feedings, hormone levels shift, and fertility may return.
Individual Biological Differences: Just as every pregnancy is unique, so is every postpartum hormonal response. Some women may ovulate earlier despite following all the guidelines.
This variability is why LAM is considered about 98% effective in perfect conditions but can be significantly lower if feeding patterns shift.
Our Experience with Breastfeeding as a Contraceptive
Initially, my wife and I knew nothing about LAM. We both agreed on exclusive breastfeeding for the first six month for our babies. We only noticed that the monthly periods were not coming as expected. That's when our curiousity was piqued and further investigation led us to LAM. It was like unearthing a gem.
Even after the first six months exclusive, her period still didn't show up. The status quo remained until the baby was weaned completely after 16 months. We thought we were just lucky and would be a one-off thing until it happened like that again with our second baby and now, with our third.
Should You Rely on LAM?
LAM can be a great short-term contraceptive option for those who meet the strict criteria. However, for long-term family planning, it’s important to recognize its limitations. If you’re not quite ready for another pregnancy, combining LAM with another method can provide greater peace of mind. You don't want to take risks like in our own case.
For my wife and me, breastfeeding was an amazing journey filled with learning, bonding, and a newfound appreciation for the marvel of human biology. While it briefly served as a contraceptive, we decided to push our luck and never opted for additional protection. Although, let’s be honest—after months of sleepless nights, the thought of juggling two babies in diapers sometimes percolates our thoughts. But nature smiled on us even until now.
Final Thoughts
Breastfeeding is not just about nourishment. It’s a biological wonder that also influences fertility. The science behind LAM is fascinating, but its effectiveness depends on strict adherence to exclusive breastfeeding in many women. If you’re considering using breastfeeding as a contraceptive, make sure you understand its limitations and have a backup plan if needed.
Because let’s face it, babies are wonderful. But sometimes, parents need a little time before welcoming the next one into the family!
Does LAM works for you or you know anyone that it works for? Feel free to share the experience in the comment section.
Resources
- https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/lactational-amenorrhea-birth-control-method-overview
- https://www.nhs.uk/contraception/methods-of-contraception/natural-family-planning/
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I learned from my mom that some woman will not experience their period until their babies stop breastfeeding, as that was her case in all her births.
But in my case, my period returned after eight months of giving birth to my son; those eight months were pure bliss, lol.
I love that you have so much interest in this aspect of women's bodies, it will go a long way to help your dear wife through such a delicate period.
it's the same with my wife. No menstruation unless she stops breastfeeding. Currently breastfeeding third. Nature's contraceptive
At it's best, greetings to your wife.
greetings to you too, maam
Hola, muy interesante esto del método LAM, sin duda es información valiosa. Saludos
Muy interesante la información pero es verdad en muchos casos no sucede igual y he conocidos casos de familiares que amamantando volvieron a quedar embarazada y con bebes de meses de nacidos. Algo traumático jajaja pero siempre se puede sacar cosas positivas de todo ello pues los hijos son una bendición
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