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Category: Postpartum

Asked by ashbee

Q: Breastfeeding as contraception. .

I was curious how many of you ladies used breastfeeding as a contraceptive and how effective it was if so? Thanks in advance!

This question was asked Nov. 9, 2014 11:20pm
Category: Postpartum

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Answered by andycooper5 - Aug. 25, 2017 10:43am
Hi ladies,
It is best not to rely on breastfeeding as birth control because for some women it works well and others not so much and you cant know which you will be. I breastfeed my kids exclusively on demand yet I get my period back at 3 months, so I too take the minipill so my milk supply would be less effected but minipill has higher fail rate which is my I am currently pregnant with a 10month old who still breastfeeds but use no formula. There is a small chance that you can ovulate before ever getting a period, I know two women who got pregnant and didn't know until it was obvious at 4-5months along while breastfeeding. They just thought they were getting chubby until the baby started kicking obviously. So always assume your fertile unless you are ok with a surprise bundle of joy ??? plus getting pregnant before 6months post is high risk for mom and baby So is best avoided if possible.! Good luck all!


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Answered by jkim80 - Dec. 22, 2014 3:19pm
It is best not to rely on breastfeeding as birth control because for some women it works well and others not so much and you cant know which you will be. I breastfeed my kids exclusively on demand yet I get my period back at 3 months, so I too the minipill so my milk supply would be less effected but minipill has higher fail rate which is my I am currently pregnant with a 10month old who still breastfeeds btw no formula. There is a small chance that you can ovulate before ever getting a period, I know two women who got pregnant and didn't know until it was obvious at 4-5months along while breastfeeding. They just thought they were getting chubby until the baby started kicking obviously. So always assume your fertile unless you are ok with a surprise bundle of joy ð??? plus getting pregnant before 6months post is high risk for mom and baby So is best avoided if possible.! Good luck all!

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Answered by TXkadams - Nov. 11, 2014 4:55pm
That's a good point Maggie, if you don't have your period (due to breastfeeding) are you fertile? I breastfed my son for 13 months and didn't get my period until I stopped pumping (~12 months). I was taking BC pills during that time, but I've heard they can affect supply (mine was already really low).

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Answered by maggie22 - Nov. 11, 2014 3:23am
I breastfed my son for a year and didn't get my period back until he was 8 months old. I guess we used it as a contraception method as well as the pulling out method. But I wouLdnt say that I am overly fertile to begin with as it has take 6-7 months of actual trying with both babies to get pregnant.

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Answered by TXkadams - Nov. 10, 2014 9:32pm
Please let us know what the doc says. I'd be interested. Thanks!

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Answered by ashbee - Nov. 10, 2014 3:25pm
Thank you ladies, this definitely helps. I go in for my 6 week check-up today so this will be something that I discuss then as well! Thanks again!

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Answered by Quartz3 - Nov. 10, 2014 1:05pm
I remember after I gave birth to my first, my doctor told me there's a bunch of criteria for this method to be effective. I don't remember all of them, but I remember breasts had to be stimulated at least every two hours.... upon hearing that, I decided I'd go for another means of contraception!
And I also know of someone who got pregnant about 3 months after delivery, because she thought breastfeeding was protection enough....

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Answered by Nickers001 - Nov. 10, 2014 6:24am
A friend of mine got pregnant again less than 2 months after she had her daughter as she thought breast feeding would stop it from happening! Definite old wives tale!

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Answered by estone - Nov. 10, 2014 3:53am
I was exclusively breastfeeding and I got pregnant with my daughter when my son was 6 months old. It is an old wives tale.

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