Breastfeeding as contraception?!

[Pansy0926]

So in my Ready Steady Baby book (not sure if this is just a Scotland only NHS thing, but it’s a book which walks you through the stages of pregnancy and then looking after a baby) it says that if you are exclusively breastfeeding it counts as contraception although you have a 2 in 100 chance of becoming pregnant. Is this true? I’ve never heard of this before

BF DS1 is 7 months and I've got my booking in app this morning !!!

I was exclusively breast feeding and got pregnant straight away. There is a year between my children. My youngest was conceived using the withdrawal method.

I was infertile due to breastfeeding. Didn't conceive DS2 until DS1 was 2.9 and didn't use any contraception.

I have just had my first period since DS2 was born: he turned 2 a couple of weeks ago!

Due to pregnancy and breastfeeding, I've had fewer than 5 periods since 2011! Think I'm a freak of nature, though.

Yep, pregnant with dc4 when dc3 was 12 weeks old!

I got pregnant whilst breastfeeding too, only try it if you don't mind falling pregnant!

Hiya

Nope, only form of 100% BC during EBF is keeping the knees shut.

It's an old wives take as very quickly your fertility returns but periods can take awhile to bounce back due to Lochia etc.

Why do you think in our baby box we get a box of condoms lol

Thanks! I think il be using other methods then ...

My sister got pregnant while breastfeeding and my periods came back very soon after having DD and exclusively breast feeding although I don't know if I ovulated that soon.

There's only a year between my sister's babies because of this belief. She was exclusively breastfeeding but caught anyway.

I personally wouldn't rely on it anymore than you would the withdrawal method.

I also know that my post is zero help! Sorry

Nope! Don't do it! I was pregnant at 8 weeks Post natal. Exclusively breastfed, had sex once.
I will also add that all of my DDs were conceived using contraception, so I don't know if I am an exception to the rule of breastfeeding = contraception, however this didn't work for me.

kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/fertility/ this explains it

Yes it can work but can only be counted on within the first 6 months and no other drinks/foods given and no big gaps in feeding

My health visitor strongly advised me against making that assumption.

It is not a reliable form of contraception, and I know of two people who fell pregnant accidentally a second time within a few months of having their first, so unless you're ok with a very small gap between children don't risk it.