Lactational Amenorrhea Method
Average Failure Rate: 6%
Even today, breastfeeding prevents more pregnancies in
the world than all other methods of birth control combined. Utilizing
what is known about the endocrine system and patterns of fertility in
nursing women, a highly effective, temporary method of contraception
has been developed called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM). It
can be used as long as a women nurses her baby frequently and has no
periods.
LAM is completely natural and does not subject the infant to unnecessary synthetic steriod hormones, which can appear in the breastmilk of women using oral contraceptives, implants, injections, and IUDs.
Benefits of Breastfeeding
- Breast milk is the most complete form of nutrition for infants. Babies find it easier to digest breast milk than formula.
- Premature babies do better when breastfed instead of being fed formula.
- Breastfed babies score higher on IQ tests.
- Nursing uses up extra calories, making it easier to lose pregnancy pounds.
- Nursing helps the uterus to get back to its original size and reduces postpartum bleeding.
- Breastfeeding delays the return of menstruation and fertility.
- Breastfeeding lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers.
- Breastfeeding saves time and money. No expensive formula to purchase.
- Breastfeeding requires a mother to take some quiet relaxed time for herself and her baby.
- Physical contact is important to newborns. Breastfeeding can help a mother to bond with her baby.
Among breastfeeding women,
menstruation will usually not occur for several months after the birth
of a child. In fact, most breastfeeding women do not ovulate for four
to 24 months after delivery, whereas non-breastfeeding women can
ovulate as early as one or two months after delivery. The hormone
that stimulates milk production decreases the hormone necessary for
maintaining the menstrual cycle.
For
breastfeeding to act as an effective contraceptive, a woman must nurse
ten or more times throughout the day and introduce no other foods into
her baby's diet. Because babies need extra food at about six months,
it is not recommended that this method be used beyond that time.
Although nursing can act as a contraceptive for as long as three
years, it will not postpone menstruation indefinitely. Many
breastfeeding women will not ovulate until after the first period, but
the longer LAM is used, the more likely it is that ovulation will
precede the first menses. Cervical mucus changes will herald the
first ovulation; a woman should start checking daily at six weeks
postpartum. Pregnant women and new mothers should confer with a
trained counselor before initiating LAM. Women with no periods who
breastfeed without practicing LAM, have a pregnancy rate of 6% over a
year. Perfect users can expect a failure rate of only 0.5%.
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Online Support Groups
SupportGroups.com aims to build awareness and provide support for Sex Issues, Relationship Issues, as well as Depression and Anxiety. We also have a Support Groups just for Parents. If you are a friend or parent of a person that has is going through some challenging times, or you are in need of support, you are not alone. Share personal experiences, evaluate information and get support during times of need, illness, treatment or recovery.
Dive Deeper
- Recommended links:
- The following links are provided as an informational resource or counterpoint and are not necessarily endorsed by ContraceptInfo:
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