So tell me how efective is breast feeding as a contraceptive?

[GoodGollyMissMolly]

Title says it all really.

Don't want to go on the pill again (if I can help it), and DD is only 6 weeks old so don't want to get pg again this soon.

Hmmm. It's probably ok-ish for a bit... but I wouldn't want to rely on it!

It has to be exclusive bf, within the first 6 months, and frequent, and to include night feeds to stand a chance I think. Wouldn't want to rely on it if not getting pg was especially important...

It's not! Neighbour has kids 11 months apart because she thought she would be fine as she was exclusively breastfeeding. And she didn't realise she was pregnant til nearly 5 months as she put the symptoms down to having a new baby and being tired because of that!

dd2 will tell you not at all

I was exclusively bfing, every two to three hours day and night, and my periods still returned when DD1 was 8 weeks old.

My ds is proof that it's not too effective

My theory is that most breastfeeding mothers are too knackered to have sex

My breastfeeding friends who have TRIED to get pregnant have done so pretty swiftly

Among my breastfeeding friends, people started getting their periods back from about 4 months - 18 months - there was a WIDE variety

Thank you all, I think I will get to the doctors ASAP.

starlight that is not true

it entirely depends when you start ovulating again - which really varies

I hope you left it a few hours at least

My friend found that it wasn't effective-got pregnant with dd3 whilst still feeding 7 month old dd2 around the clock.

Bizarrely enough,even her GP said that he thought it was impossible to concieve whilst breastfeeding.She showed him the positive test & assured him it was possible.

Everybody is very different when it comes to bf as contraceptive. You need to know what you are doing and how to spot the signs of returning fertility otherwise you can easily get caught out as many people will testify.

I would recommend a couple of books. One is called something like "Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing" and also "Taking charge of your fertility" by Toni Weschler.

I am still bf 2yo ds and although ovulating and having periods, the prolactin has shortened my luteal phase to less than 10 days which is not long enough for implantation. In my case, personally at this stage I would not rely on my breastfeeding as contraception, but others might if the circumstances suited.

So in answer to your question, "how effective is bf as contraception?" the answer is as individual as you are.

HTH

Thanks Mawbroon, that does help. I suppose I will have to go back on the pill, but I ma a bugger for remembering to take it at the best of times, let alone with a 6 week old DD to run around after.

Maybe a quick poll of mn'ers who have conceived whilst breastfeeding..... count me in as one!!!

Can't believe how many mums on my antenatal clubs (on other sites too) got pregnant whilst breastfeeding. FGS it's the first thing they tell you in hospital after you've popped out your baby!
Ask your GP for contraceptive injections if you're not able to keep track of the pill.

Morningpaper - "Exclusive breastfeeding (by itself) is 98-99.5% effective in preventing pregnancy as long as all of the following conditions are met:

1. Your baby is less than six months old
2. Your menstrual periods have not yet returned
3. Baby is breastfeeding on cue (both day & night), and gets nothing but breastmilk or only token amounts of other foods."

From kellymom and is referenced I believe.

Yeah, it would be interesting to hear how many on MN have got pg while bf.

Wasn't very effective for me - I was pg again 10 weeks after ds2 was born
Although I didn't meet daisymoo's point 2!

imo breastfeeding as contraception is as effective as a quickie without a condom

Redclover, how did you cope with being pg and having a very young ds as well.

Research shows it to be 99% effective - as effective as oral contraceptive.

As long as - baby is under 6months old.
Baby is being exclusivly bf on demand, inc night feeds. Is getting nothing else apart from breast milk.
Your periods have not returned.