To question my gp's advice and ask mumsnet?

[MrsVidic]

Hi I usually always take gps advice and respect their training etc. However yesterday my dd2 had her 6 week check. Contraception came up in the appointment- I explained where I do want more children I want a gap of minimum 3 yrs before ttc.
Now her advice was as you are bfeeding exclusively you won't need to use anything until she is weaned.
Now dd2 sleeps for up to 8 hrs in a row some nights and was concieved very easily.
Is bfeeding reliable contraception?

Nope many people have got pregnant while exclusively breastfeeding, take precautions.

Nooooooo! loads of babies are conceived by BF mothers. our GP is talking rubbish.

your GP

No, it is not

You must use another form of contraception

Your GP is talking crap...and I very, very, very rarely say that

For the benefit of other women you need to complain about that advice. It's bullshit.

While bf does help to prevent conception by delaying the return of your periods, do NOT rely on it, You don't meet the criteria anyway and even though I did, I ovulated when dd was 11 weeks old.

Dear Lord, she is so wrong, you absolutely can conceive while BF.

Breastfeeding can be used as contraceptive, but it isn't by any means 100%! It also relies on the baby feeding frequently and on demand, including through the night with no big gaps, no bottles/dummies/food/water, and periods not having come back.

An 8 hour gap at night - I'd definitely not risk it! Lots of women find there periods return once the baby is sleeping through, and if you get pregnant before you get a period you'd not know.

OP- Nope it is not. It makes conception less likely but what is basically a mechanism to safeguard the feeding baby and the mother in times of famine and undernourishment does not work anywhere near as well in well-nourished women.

I would find another method frankly!

DD hadn't gone more than 2hrs between feeds when I ovulated.

I cannot believe that a GP would give such incorrect advice!!!!!!!! My brother was conceived while my mother was exclusively bfing me. Also, don't forget that your period returning happens AFTER the production of eggs - you are by definition fertile before you have a period.

It's not a reliable method at all. I agree with whoever said to complain, that is shocking advice.

no she is talking crap i think, its not that reliable and if your other 2 were conceived easily i wouldn't risk it unless you would be not that bothered if you end up pregnant with a small age gap? so if your sure about the 3 yrs then just ignore her
btw nice one @ the 8 hours!!

Dreadful advice. My GP told me the same and in my case was right but I know so many where periods returned within months even w ith EBF no dummies, frequent night feeds etc.

I am sure my advice was that it wasn't reliable which is why we were asked about methods at the 6 week check regardless of feeding methods, I would seek a second opinion from Hv or another GP. check out advice on tinternet.

I would write a note to the practice Health Visitor, asking for clarification of the advice and naming the Dr who advised you, maybe remind them of your phone number and ask them to give you a call.

As others have said exclusive breastfeeding is mentioned as contraception (but sleeping 8 hours at night would not fall into this category) you are also extremely fertile after giving birth, so not advice I would give.

You need to complain, that is absolute rubbish and dangerous advice to give out. Please question with another hcp or complain

Nooooooo! She shouldn't say that!
I am still Bf dd (21 months) and my periods returned at7 weeks. I could've had two by now

My hospital systematically prescribes the mini pill to women having given birth, to start taking 3 weeks after the birth, because they say that many women get pregnant straight after giving birth, even if they are BF so they prefer to be cautious! (am not in the UK)

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recalls 9.5 month gap between youngest two DESPITE fully BF AND using condoms

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Don't know if it's reliable but there are pills you can use while bf.

My mum conceived my sister while breastfeeding 5 month old me.

The Lactational Amenorrhoea method is 98% effective provided that the baby is less than 6 months old