Printable View
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
Exclusively.
But, It's possible to fall pregnant while breastfeeding anyway, so best use a condom ;)
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. :)
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.......
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.
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
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.
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 ;)
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!!
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.