BF as contraception - what gap between feeds is it?

[Piffle]

DS2 is 6 wks, fully bf
Is going 6 hrs at night between feeds
I've never had one of mine do this so early before.
At what point does bf not become decent contraception exactly?

I thought it was about as decent as withdrawal at best. I have heard quotes of 3-4hours I think.....I think 6 hours is too long.

hi piffle. i would say about now as he's going so long although your periods might not come back for a while still. i can't talk though, i've just been reading up about this as i thought it might still guard me somehow although my dd2 is 10 months! got just over a week til i know whether our stupid quicky did anything!

Bfing can't be relied on for contraception. If you don't want to get pg I suggest you get to the GP/family planning clinic to discuss other options eg mini pill.

Never rely on it.

Speaking as one who conceived twice while bf.

Just to add, I got pg with dd2 when I was still bfing dd1, including feeds during the night. (DD1 was older and the pg was planned, but it just goes to show it's possible to get pg even if bfing day and night.)

2 hourly day and night I am sure

I agree with ceolas. Loads of women get Pg when bf. you ovulate and conceive without having an AF. Do you want to get pg now? You know its far too soon for your body ( and probably your sanity) , dont you?

My friend who's 2 youngest sons are 11 months apart says don't rely on it!

Yes was considering Murphys Law.
Took us 4 yrs to conceive this little fellow.
I'll not go on the mini pill - detest hormonal contraception
Condoms it is
Will add to shopping basket and pray the twice we've already done it has not already seeded.

I was bfing 2-3 hourly day and night and still got AF back when dd1 was 8 weeks old. I was really annoyed!

Bf is NEVER decent contraception - the mw actually had to check off on a bit of paper that I understood this before letting me leave hospital!

fearscape - my gyneacologist who I saw at my six week check told me I would be fine as I was bfing so much. So I was shocked when AF returned so quickly!

Piffle - as your baby is only 6 weeks old, I recommend a nice cup of tea, some chocolate and half an hour with your feet up on the sofa reading a magazine. Its a 100% reliable contraceptive. If you do it instead of sex

2 hourly day and night and no change in your cervical secretions. And as it's difficult to identify changes in your cervical secretions if you're having unprotected sex that can be rather hit-and-miss...

hey it's been twice only in 6 weeks
I'm done with examining secretions I have only just last week stopped lochia unbelieveable - am told that is common with managed 3rd stage, with other two had natural ones and bleeding only lasted 2 wks!

Right then durex it is, until he gets the snip...

i got pg whilst bf. I miscarried at 9 weeks (just when I'd got used to the idea), but there would have been 11 months between them - I think i'd be in the loony bin by now.

Get some condoms pronto!

When ds was 6 months, bf at least every 2 hours in the day and 5-6 times per night, I got my periods back.

No method of contraception is 100% effective, and breastfeeding is nature's way of allowing us to space out our babies. The leaflet I was given on contraception when I was discharged from hospital said that certain conditions needed to be met 1. you are exclusively breastfeeding (no formula top ups), 2 your baby is less than 6 months old, 3 Your periods have not started. Given these criteria are met, then studies show breastfeeding is up to 98% effective. good site on breastfeeding as contraception

But cazee, you can and often do ovulate before your periods (re)start...

a cup of tea I tell you.....that's the best thing

Right tea it is

BF is NoT a good contraception, i got pregnant while breastfeeding even more often than the 4 hours that apparently makes you safe. My doctor wouldn't believe me when i went in 4 months after giving birth and said i thought i was pregnant, but i was! HV wouldn't believe me either. And after my second i ovulated less than 3 weeks after giving birth, before i had a period at 4 weeks after. I met a bloke the other day who said he just read on the net that BF has a 98% contraceptive sucess rate. Where did he find rthat, it's rubbish!

Feeding every 2 hours night and day is the generally accepted knowledge of lactational annemorea or however it is spelt.