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Original poster

Breastfeeding as a contraception????

54 replies

RgnAmb · 02/10/2018 16:26

My little girl is 4 weeks today and Ive been thinking about contraception... Im soley breastfeeding my little one and Ive read up all about breastfeeding and a lot of things I've read say your less likely to fall pregnant whilst breastfeeding and less likely to have periods until you stop breastfeeding. I wanted to know has anyone found out there pregnant whilst breastfeeding? How soon? When did your periods return whilst breastfeeding?

OP posts:
honeysucklejasmine · 02/10/2018 16:29

Omg no. No no no no. Go to your GP and get some a dual contraception, or use condoms.

Cheeseplantandpickle · 02/10/2018 16:29

Yup. I give you exhibit A: DD2. My period never returnwd until after my second child was born.

PinkHeart5914 · 02/10/2018 16:29

I solely breastfeed and my older 2 dc are 11 months apart! Admittedly we did plan to have them close together but I think you’d be daft to rely on breastfeeding as contraception!

Either use condoms or get something for yourself sorted

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honeysucklejasmine · 02/10/2018 16:29

*actual

FunSponges · 02/10/2018 16:30

It's not contraception.

TheChocolateTrain · 02/10/2018 16:30

Well, I exclusively bf both mine and had my first period when they were each 4 weeks old.

PotteringAlong · 02/10/2018 16:30

If you don’t want a baby do not rely on breastfeeding. You need to sort proper contraception out.

GreenMeerkat · 02/10/2018 16:31

I have seen many, many threads just on MN of unexpected pregnancies in mothers with young babies as the woman/couple thought she was covered by breastfeeding only.

You need proper contraception.

SnuggyBuggy · 02/10/2018 16:31

My own DM had a regular menstrual cycle while breastfeeding me for some reason

dinosaurkisses · 02/10/2018 16:34

I can’t believe people still believe this is effective.

Before I left the hospital the MW was bending over backwards to make sure I understood bf wasn’t a contraceptive. Same at postnatal visits from the community midwives.

Wolfiefan · 02/10/2018 16:35

Less likely. Not unlikely.
Use contraception unless you want another baby.

Doublechocolatetiffin · 02/10/2018 16:35

It’s only ok if you are happy getting pregnant again very soon after having a baby. Otherwise use another form of contraception too.

Whilst breastfeeding does delay some people’s periods from returning, everyone is different and you won’t know when yours are about to start. The important things is that ovulation happens before a period. You won’t know when it will start and thus you could fall pregnant without having a period which is why breastfeeding is not a reliable method of contraception.

UnaOfStormhold · 02/10/2018 16:38

As I understand it in the first six months breastfeeding does offer some contraceptive effect with similar efficacy to many common methods so long as you are exclusively breastfeeding, never having gaps of more than 3-4 hours between feeds and haven't had a period. Even if you meet these criteria it is possible to become pregnant (I think it's about a 3-4% chance of becoming pregnant in a given year) but that's only slightly worse than many standard forms of contraception. Probably safer to go belt and braces.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 02/10/2018 16:41

I can't believe this old wive's tale still exists.
Breastfeeding is NOT contraception. Either sort some proper contraception or face the possibility of a pregnancy.

ShowOfHands · 02/10/2018 16:41

I bf round the clock. No formula, no longer than 3 hrs between any feeds. I ovulated when DD was 11 weeks old.

SiolGhoraidh · 02/10/2018 16:41

Hell no. The midwives at the hospital actually warned us that you can be even more fertile than usual in the period post birth, and they regularly see mums who are
pregnant at their 6 week check.

Wrap it up until you've decided what form of contraception you will be using.

ForeverBubblegum · 02/10/2018 16:42

Brest feeding can be a relatively effective form of contraception if your baby is under 6 months, exclusively breastfed (no formula or solids) and your period has not yet returned. However you will ovulate two weeks before your first period, so you never really know when it has stopped working, until it's to late.

For me my period didn't return until DS was just over 1, and started sleeping through (longer times between feeds can trigger it to return). I was in a position where if I had fallen pregnant, I would have been fine with it, so 'unlikely' was good enough for me. But if a second baby would be a problem for you right now, I personally would start looking at alternatives by 4/5 months in case it takes a while to organise or become effective (depending on what you choose).

Also some hormonal form of contraception aren't compatible with breastfeeding so remember to check.

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 02/10/2018 16:45

The midwife told me I was covered until 6 months if I was exclusively breastfeeding, the baby wasn't on solids and I hadn't had a period. I got away with it. My friend didn't - there's 15 months between her two. I don't think they should advise it at all!

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 02/10/2018 16:46

I don't think they should advise it at all!
They really shouldn't, Cheddar!

powercutie · 02/10/2018 17:00

I got a period after 6 weeks and also I was still breastfeeding my first when I became pregnant with my second, with very little effort might I add

DaisyDreaming · 02/10/2018 17:37

I know someone with 8 children, 7 were conceived while breastfeeding!

ilooovechristmas · 02/10/2018 18:00

They recommend the mini pill

JaniceBattersby · 02/10/2018 18:02

I have conceived three of my four children while breastfeeding.

tenlittledinosaurss · 02/10/2018 18:03

It is not a reliable form of contraception

userabcname · 02/10/2018 18:06

To be fair to the OP, I know of more than one woman in the last couple of years being told by their GP that breastfeeding is adequate contraception. I was horrified - no wonder the myth continues!