chances of falling pregnant whist breast feeding

[kmcoulter]

hi all,
can anyone please give me some details about how often you need to be breast feeding in order to not fall pregnant etc....i have just had DS3 7 weeks ago and not really keen on going onto the mini pill, and info would be greatly appriciated.
(hope i have done this right.....i'm new xx)
Katherine x

[helle]

Exclusively.
But, It's possible to fall pregnant while breastfeeding anyway, so best use a condom

[Laranna]

Definitely exclusively. No formula, only breastfeeding. Your periods must not have returned and I think the other rule is that baby is under 6 months. But then again nothing is 100% effective, so use protection if you don't want to take a chance.

[*LittleMissSummer*]

My DP's cousins wife fell pregnant while BF and theyre expecting twins LOL so i would use protection if you want to prevent falling pregnant again.

[JLeigh29]

I heard that there needs to be 6 hours max between feeds plus all of the above. However, you can still ovulate without having had your period, so I'd not want to take the chance.

[Phteven]

Lots of babies are conceived while there mother was breastfeeding (hmmm maybe not *while* she was breastfeeding but y'know an hour or two later after the baby was asleep lol).

If not having another baby soon is important to you I think you should have a think about other methods of contraception - condoms, mirena, mini-pill, diaphram.
Also keep a close eye on your CM. If it seems egg-whiteish that is an indication that ovulation is returning so keep your legs crossed unless you've sorted your contraception.

[tubbles]

I've been exclusively breastfeeding, doing BLW/BLS and DD is now 8.5 months old and we wanting to start TTC. (so I was hoping for opposite information in here hehe)
I think each person is different, but if you really don't want to fall pregnant look at using either a condom or a diaphragm (note diaphragms are less effective, but I find they don't really 'ruin the mood' as much cos you can put them in a couple of hours before hand and take them out the next day). But they say its 95% effective if you are feeding every 3 hours (or less) exclusively, and you don't have your period back (there is also a rumour about having to do feeds overnight).

[RoyaUK]

There are some general rules - exclusively breastfeeding, baby under 6 mths (i.e. no solids), feeding regularly, no period returned etc. However, some babies (and womens' bodies) break the rules. I've conceived twice (and had both babies) and only had 1 period in 5 years. So i would recommend using protection. Unless you're ready to go for number 4.......

[Ginger]

i fell pg with ds2 whilst i was breastfeeding ds1. we wanted another pg so it was great, but if you are not looking to get pg i would be using condoms if i was you.

[kmcoulter]

thank you so much for all your replys and info, think we have decided to take our chances............. will let you know if and when no 4 happens xx

[krystals]

My mum fell pregnant with my brother while breastfeeding me AND being on the mini pill! I think he was just meant to be LOL.
My period returned almost as soon as DS stopped feeding overnight, so I think that must be a factor. He'd always been exclusively Bfed.

[Becs_bubs]

I was still b/fding 2 hourly (although not exclusively cause he was on solids, but he still fed for quite a while each time) and had missed a few days of the mini pill and fell pregnant this time around I'd suggest using SOMETHING if you don't want another bundle just yet

[mumoftwo<3]

You need to be exclusively and regularly like every 3/4 hours for your body to release the needed hormones.

BUT

I was BF exclusively and using condoms and I got pregnant.

so nothing is fail safe!!

[MantaRay]

There was a study done on this a few years back which showed that exclusive breastfeeding is around 98% effective as a contraceptive (about the same as the pill) for the first 6 months, but only if all the following conditions are met:

- Baby is exclusively breastfed - no solids, formula or other drinks
- The baby feeds at least once during the night - preferably between 1am and 5am as the hormones are higher when you feed at this time
- Your periods haven't returned.

From 6 months solids etc start to be introduced so the effectiveness drops a lot.

However, if you REALLY don't want to get pregnant, it might be an idea to take extra precautions.

The mini-pill can impact on breastfeeding for some mums so it is a good idea to discuss your options with a doctor or family planning clinic.