thread: chances of falling pregnant whist breast feeding

Hybrid View

Previous Post Previous Post   Next Post Next Post
  1. #1
    Registered User
    Add mumoftwo<3 on Facebook

    Mar 2011
    Gisborne
    18

    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!!

  2. #2
    Life Subscriber

    Jul 2006
    Brisbane
    6,683

    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.