Breastfeeding – It’s Effectiveness as a Birth Control

Your precious little one is in your arms for the first time, you are lost in the world that now involves this wonderful child; the last thing you want to think about is birth control.

From the dawn of time, many women have used breastfeeding as their sole source of birth control and family planning. Large families had little separation between children, oftentimes their kids were about 15 months apart. That time frame takes into account the six months that babies are strictly breastfed. Once parents start supplementing with baby food, the mother is more likely to become pregnant and nine months later.

Breastfeeding alone can be a great birth control method.  Just how effective it is depends on the woman and the baby. For women who breastfeed their babies exclusively (don’t supplement with a formula) and whose baby is an eager eater, breastfeeding alone is 98 percent effective as a birth control method.  To achieve the optimum rate of effectiveness, the baby must be nursing several times a day and also must be using the mother’s breast for its sucking needs. A baby who is spending a lot of time with a pacifier in its mouth will most likely decrease the effectiveness of breastfeeding as a form of birth control. Mothers must also be feeding on demand around the clock. While parents always welcome that first night when baby sleeps six to eight hours through the night, that milestone dramatically decreases the effectiveness of nursing as a form of birth control.

Breastfeeding itself can stop women from ovulating and oftentimes women will have their first menstrual cycle without ovulation occurring. Many women see their first menstrual cycle as a sign that they are no longer protected against pregnancy. At that time it is a must to decide on a back-up plan, unless of course you are ready to bring another child into the world.

It’s important for parents to think about their birth control needs prior to the high-stress time that involves delivery of their baby. Doctors and nurse midwives will talk to new moms before they head home from the hospital about their birth control options, but that isn’t necessarily the best time to talk about it. Do the research and make sure that breastfeeding will work for you if you plan to use it as your sole source of birth control. Find time to sit down with your doctor, midwife or lactation specialist prior to the big day of arrival. It’s best to be completely informed and get all of the facts. It will make your life easier when your doctor pops the question before you leave the hospital.

If another baby isn’t on your wish list, it is important to start a back-up method of birth control as soon as your doctor allows. Women can choose several options as a back-up method such as condoms, diaphragms, spermicides, IUDs, natural family planning or a birth control pill made especially for lactating mothers. If you already know that no more children are in your future, you may want to look into permanent forms of birth control such as tubal ligation or vasectomy.