Breastfeeding as a means of birth control

Breastfeeding as a means of birth control

According to the Society of Obstetricians and gynecologists, breastfeeding is indeed a natural means of birth control. Indeed, breastfeeding women secrete prolactin, a hormone that prevents ovulation. However, in order to be able to trust you, these 3 conditions must be met:

  • breastfeeding is exclusive,
  • your baby is less than 6 months old,
  • you don’t have your period.
    Be aware, however, that this method, although it has the advantage of being natural, cannot be 100 % reliable.

This method of natural birth control called MAMA (method of breastfeeding and amenorrhea) is 95 % effective in the first two months after the baby is born.

Several circumstances may affect the effect of prolactin. For example, if your baby is sleeping all night, or almost, it’s possible that you will have ovulating again, even before your period comes back. So even if the criteria are kept, if there is ovulating, there can be a fertility! In a situation where you are not ready to have another child, do not trust only breastfeeding, use another means of birth control.