Whether it’s something, you want to avoid or achieve, falling pregnant while breastfeeding is possible but maybe not for the first six months after your baby’s birth if you’re exclusively breastfeeding.

An age-old method of contraception is called the lactational amenorrhea method. After birth, a temporary period of infertility occurs when your periods haven’t returned and you are fully breastfeeding. Therefore, lactational amenorrhea works well at preventing pregnancy in the short term. It’s about 98% effective in the first six months; falling pregnant while breastfeeding is unlikely if you meet the following conditions:

• Your period hasn’t come back (any bleeding, on any two consecutive days, that occurs two months after the birth)
• When your baby is exclusively breastfeeding
• You don’t offer your baby any formula or solids
• When you’re feeding baby on demand, both day and night

The Lactational Amenorrhea Method – LAM

Using the lactational amenorrhea method, just over half of the mothers still don’t have their periods back on their baby’s first birthday.

However, we don’t recommend you rely on lactational amenorrhea to prevent pregnancy after six months. When your baby is one year old, there’s a 5 – 9% chance of pregnancy if you rely on lactational amenorrhea. Remember that you may or may not ovulate before you have your first “warning” period.

Other breastfeeding-friendly contraception options

There are plenty of other contraceptives that are safe for nursing mothers. They include the intrauterine device (IUD), condoms, the hormonal implant (in your arm) and the mini pill (the progesterone-only pill as the pill containing oestrogen can reduce your milk supply).

If you use the LAM, it’s handy to have one of these alternatives ready if anything changes. Talk to your midwife, GP or family planning clinic about your options.

Signs of ovulation when breastfeeding

The clues that you’re now ovulating and that breastfeeding no longer prevent pregnancy are the same as before you fell pregnant.

Look for clear, stretchy cervical mucus. Perhaps you also have PMS-type symptoms and lower abdominal aches. If you’re charting your basal temperature, this rises just after ovulation too.

When falling pregnant while breastfeeding is your goal

If you’re keen to get a wriggle on and have your babies close together, you might be wondering if you need to stop feeding. However, if your regular periods have returned, then your chances of falling pregnant while breastfeeding are likely the same as if you had weaned your baby.

If you want your menstrual cycle to return, consider shortening your older child’s feeds instead of weaning. Or spacing feeds further apart. Of course, each person responds differently, but most women can certainly continue breastfeeding and have another baby.

Bear in mind not falling pregnant while breastfeeding could be nature’s way of creating a healthy gap between your babies. If you’re concerned, speak with your private midwife or GP.

Ready to fall pregnant again? You can prepare yourself and your body with our articles on preconception care.

If you find yourself expecting while still breastfeeding your older child, we can also help you learn about breastfeeding through pregnancy.

Check out our reference list used in the creation of this article.

Page published on 1st February 2022