Is it possible to get pregnant whilst breastfeeding?

[livelifefortoday38]

I have a lovely baby of six weeks old and I'm keen to have another baby, is it possible to get pregnant whilst breast feeding and does anyone have any first hand experience of this?

Looking forward to hearing your stories..... Many thanks!

For the opposite perspective, my periods didn't return until ds1 was 12 months, dd was 14 months and ds2 18 months. So whilst it's possible to start ovulating very soon after giving birth, it's also possible you may not have a choice until much later. I had 3 sleepless wonders, so Mother Nature was on my side and not allowing that to happen just yet for me

I got pregnant twice when BFing (both planned). I have an 18 month gap and a 3 year gap. Obviously my second child wasn't feeding much when I got pregnant with my third but the first time (18 month gap) was exhausting but so worth it.

Yes. Even if you are on the mini pill, breast feeding and dtd once! eyes dc2

How do you know you are pregnant if your periods haven't come back ue

Posted too soon... if your periods haven't come back yet?

Well you don't always. I was 3 months pregnant before I realised. So busy with the baby that I didn't notice anything different until I got heartburn and started being sick. I haven't had a period since 2015.

Felt utterly exhausTed and constantly sick.

I fell pregnant whilst breastfeeding twice. Didn't realise until I was 10 weeks. I'm now 14 weeks. My youngest was 7 months.

You definitely can. The result is sleeping upstairs. Wouldn't change him for the world though.

There's 11 months between my sister and my brother... DM and the midwives were shocked to see her back so quickly 😂😂

Thank you ladies! xxx

Read this
kellymom.com/ages/older-infant/fertility/

Bad idea if you had a c-section though!

It's possible but also some people don't, at least based on friends who have said they were TTC while bf but only caught after weaning. I've got pg while bf twice but not before a 18 months although we were TTC from about 3 months my period didn't come back until 8.

As long as your baby is EBF, it’s as effective a method of contraception as condoms, about 98%. So, while it’s not impossible that you will get pregnant, it’s very unlikely. Once you start weaning, your fertility should begin to return.

It's fairly effective.

If you feed round the clock and on demand (and do not substitute any feeds), and your baby is under 6 months, and your periods have not returned, then it's contraceptive effect is higher than people give it credit for (but of course still has a fail fate - including someone I knew back in my baby days - and you can be fertile before your first returned period).

If having babies that close together would be pretty disastrous, use other contraception.

I only got my periods again at 14 months as I night weaned my DD and went down to 1 feed a day. First month trying, I'm pregnant again.

Will say we used the rhythm method and breastfeeding for our contraception - I wouldn't advise unless you are 100% sure your ready for another baby! After this one I shall be for sure going on some form of contraception

It took us 12 months (and my periods didn’t return until my dd was 13 months) but yes, I’m still breastfeeding and I’m nearly 7 weeks pregnant. So, in our case it was difficult but not impossible.

In my case, I did not ovulate again after having my first baby until 12 days after the last time I breastfed her at 18 months (I stopped so that I could get pregnant again), but I would definitely NOT assume this to be the case for you - I gather it is relatively rare to not ovulate at all while bf-ing.

If you read Taking Charge of your Fertility as recommended on this thread you will learn a LOT. That book is incredible.

Yes!

My 2 dc are 11 months apart

Omg it's this bf as a contraceptive myth still circulating??!!

It's not a myth, if you follow a very specific list of stipulations. The only failsafe contraception is abstinence after all.

Yes you can OP. My granny breastfed and still ended up with 4children under 2.

Hang on, people who are saying it's effective are also stipulating that your periods must not have returned. To me that is contradictory, if your periods can return before 6 months (mine did, I ebf and no she didn't sleep!) then you can get pregnant. By the time you've had your first period you will have ovulated once. I was using contraception so I had a period at 4 months pp. If I hadn't I may have been pregnant at 3 1/2 months pp.

Simple- if you don't want to get pregnant, use protection! You can always get pregnant if you're having unprotected sex. You don't have to have periods to show you're ovulating. The body works in strange ways sometimes x

As long as your baby is EBF, it’s as effective a method of contraception as condoms, about 98%. So, while it’s not impossible that you will get pregnant, it’s very unlikely. Once you start weaning, your fertility should begin to return.

DO NOT TAKE THIS ADVICE!!!

Like I say- if you want to avoid pregnancy, use protection, every time.