Breastfeeding as a Method of Birth Control
In 2008, a group of World Health Organization researchers concluded that "The period of lactational amenorrhea is characterized by a profound degree of protection from pregnancy." It is estimated that more pregnancies are prevented worldwide by breastfeeding than all methods of birth control combined. What is important to emphasis here is that breastfeeding as a method of birth control depends on several important conditions before a woman can depend on the suppression of her fertility. See Chapter 7: Other Charting Considerations / Postpartum.
Variations
- Lactational Amenorrhea
- Total Breastfeeding
- Ecological Mothering
Mechanism of action
- These methods takes advantage of the natural suppression of Type E cervical mucus and ovulation by the hormone prolactin, which is released during breastfeeding
- Prolactin action is dependent on the frequency and duration of breastfeeding
- 98% of women experience amenorrhea for the first 56 days following birth if they are "totally breastfeeding" and first 27 days if they are "partial breastfeeding"
- some women experience amenorrhea up to 6 months postpartum if they are "ecologically breastfeeding"
Rules
The strictest criteria for infertility are:
- Less than 56 days postpartum
- Total breastfeeding on demand day and night
- Mother and baby sleep together
- The baby takes no food or liquid except breast milk
- The baby does not suck a soother/pacifier
- Maximum skin contact is allowed during nursing
Best users
Breastfeeding women who meet the criteria
Specific Advantages
- Abstinence from sex is not required for method to be effective
- No cost involved
- No long or short term affect on health of mother or baby
Challenges
- Requires a woman to follow a certain style of breastfeeding and parenting
- Weaning decreases effectiveness dramatically
- Is best combined with the fertility awareness methods that allow for observation of a return to fertility, especially following the first 56 days postpartum