is breast feeding natural birth control????

Question

I read in a breastfeeding book that if you only breastfeed the baby, it's a natural form of bc. I've never heard of this .....

Answer 1

It HELPS, but doesn't completely protect you against pregnant.

Answer 2

COPIED from the La Leche League website :

Can I get pregnant while I am breastfeeding?
The short answer is "Yes." It is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. However, breastfeeding can be used as part of your family planning technique. As a matter of fact, if you can answer yes to the following three* questions, your risk of pregnancy is less than two percent.

1. Is your infant less than six months old?
2. Are you amenorrheic, that is, are your menstrual periods absent?
3. Is your baby breastfeeding around the clock without receiving other foods, beverages or pacifiers?

Once the answer to any of these questions becomes "No," it will be time to move to the next stage of your family planning. It helps if you have made your plans while the above questions can be answered "Yes." If you want to delay pregnancy, choose the method of contraception you would like to use. The materials in the "Resources" section will help you to evaluate the appropriate contraceptive method for you. Of course, if you are ready to conceive than no form of birth control is necessary.

http://www.llli.org/FAQ/fertility.html ( go here to see more on the subject)

** For me, I have 8 kids and have breastfed all of them. I usually don't get a period until 6 months if I exclusively breastfeed. But have been told by my Dr that anythings possible :-)
Hope that helps!

Answer 3

No--I got pregnant and later miscarried when I was breastfeeding my youngest son, Adrian. I breastfed him constantly to the point I felt I was going to go insane--45 minutes every other hour. Some women may not get pregnant but it's about as safe as other methods like withdrawal. The best methods are the tried and true ones because we all know how "nature" can have a mind of its own. :)

Answer 4

I does help, but it's not foolproof. My sister-in-law was breastfeeding and on the mini pill and still got pregnant. I still breastfeed my son occasionally and he's almost 18 months. I didn't get my period back until he was 16 months old.

Answer 5

I've heard that breast-feeding reduces the risk of getting pregnant, but is not a definite form of birth control.

Answer 6

It is very effective for most women, as long as you are exclusively nursing (no solids at all, no night weaning either), you have not had your first postpartum period yet, AND your baby is less than 6 months old.

After that there is an increased risk of pregnancy.

Answer 7

No. For many women, breast feeding holds off periods (no ovulation, no pregnancy). For me, I was still breast feeding and getting my period after 3 months.

The other concern is there is no way of knowing when the first ovulation starts until you've had your period (or get pregnant).

Answer 8

My doctor told me that if you exclusively breastfeed it is 95% effective at preventing ovulation, however I know many people who got pregnant while nursing. I didn't get a period for 12 months, which is when I weaned my daughter, but I still used protection just in case.

Answer 9

No it isn't a reliable form of birth control. I nursed for 12 months and they said I wouldn't get my period if I nursed but I did after 3 months. So...if you get your period you are able to get pregnant.

Answer 10

I didn't have a period until 6 months after my baby when I breast feed him

Answer 11

There's a name for folks who believe this: Mother of 2.