Did you know that breastfeeding can be used as a method of contraception?![Image of woman breastfeeding](https://ckphu.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/122421299-686x1024.jpg)
This method of birth control is called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM).
The hormones that produce breastmilk also stop the ovaries from releasing an egg for the first 6 months after giving birth. LAM is a natural form of birth control and there are no side effects. It is 98% effective in preventing pregnancy only if you answer “Yes” to ALL of the three statements below.
- My baby is less than 6 months old, AND
- My period has not started since my baby was born (2 days of bleeding any time after your baby is 8 weeks old is your period), AND
- My baby is being exclusively breastfed (only feeding baby breastmilk at least every 4 hours during the day and at least every 6 hours at night)
What birth control can you use while breastfeeding?
There are other options that are safe to use for birth control and will not affect your milk supply:
- Micronor – this medication is a progesterone-only pill. This means that there is no estrogen in this medication and therefore, it will not affect your milk supply.
- Condoms – Free at Clinic Services locations
- Emergency Contraception (The Morning After Pill) – this medication is a progesterone-only and is available without a prescription from your local pharmacy and can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex (no other birth control method is used or the condom breaks)