Can Breastfeeding/Chestfeeding be used as a Method of Contraception (birth control)?
Yes. Breastfeeding/chestfeeding can be used for birth control, but only if you answer “Yes” to ALL of the four statements below:
- My baby is less than 6 months old.
- I have not had a period since my baby was born.
- My baby is fully or nearly fully breastfed/chestfed.
- I breastfeed/chestfeed at least every 4 hours during the day and at least every 6 hours at night.
If you answer “No” to any of these statements, begin another method of contraception.
Fully breastfed/chestfed means your baby gets all food from suckling at the breast/chest. Your baby must feed at the breast/chest; pumping breastmilk/chestmilk does not have the same effect.
Nearly fully breastfed/chestfed means your baby gets most food from breastfeeding/chestfeeding. Vitamins, minerals, juice, water and some other foods (but no more than one or two mouthfuls a day) are also given.
This method of contraception is called Lactational Amenorrhea Method:
L = Lactational means breastfeeding/chestfeeding
A = Amenorrhea means having no monthly period
M = Method
To use LAM effectively, you need additional detailed information. For more information on LAM and other methods of birth control, call: Healthy Babies Healthy Children Lactation or the Sexual Health Clinic at 625-5900.
Below is a table describing hormonal and non-hormonal methods of birth control, their effectiveness, and their effect on breastfeeding/chestfeeding. You can download a PDF version of Contraception Methods for New Mothers as well.
| Method (Non-hormonal) | Effectiveness of Method | Effect on Breastfeeding | When to Start |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breastfeeding/chestfeeding as contraception, or LAM (Lactational Amenorrhea Method) More information on reverse. You must meet the following criteria: 1. Your baby is less than 6 months old; 2. Your monthly periods have not yet resumed. 3. You are breastfeeding/chestfeeding exclusively (not providing any other foods or liquids to your baby). | Typical Use: 98% | None | Immediately after birth |
| Condoms (male) A soft, disposable sheath that fits over the erect penis and traps the sperm so it cannot fertilize the egg. | Typical Use: 85% Perfect Use: 98% |
None | Anytime |
| Condoms (female) A polyurethane sheath that lines the vagina and traps the sperm so it cannot fertilize the egg. | Typical Use: 79% Perfect Use: 95% |
None | Anytime |
| Diaphragm/Cervical Cap A reversible method of birth control that is positioned into the vagina and over the cervix which block the entry to the uterus so sperm cannot enter to fertilize the egg. | Diaphragm Typical Use: 84% Perfect Use: 94% |
None | Anytime. These devices must be re-fitted several months after the birth of your baby. |
| Fertility Awareness Method A woman monitors her menstrual cycle by measuring her basal body temperature and identifying changes in cervical mucus. These methods require specific instruction. | Typical Use: 80% Perfect Use: 91-99% |
None | After period resumes. |
| Male Sterilization (Vasectomy) A permanent surgical procedure that blocks the tube that carries sperm to the penis. The male can still ejaculate during sex, but the fluid does not contain any sperm. | Typical Use: 99% Perfect Use: 99% |
None | Not immediately effective after surgery. Back-up contraception must be used between the time of surgery and the follow-up semen analysis (2-3 months). |
| Female Sterilization (Tubal Ligation) A permanent surgical procedure that blocks the fallopian tubes so that the sperm and the egg can no longer meet. | Typical Use: 99.5% Perfect Use: 99.5% |
None | Anytime |
| Withdrawal Method (“Pulling Out”) A man must remove his penis from the woman’s vagina before ejaculation. The most common problem is that a man withdraws too late, in which case emergency contraception would be recommended (see below). | Typical Use: 73% Perfect Use: 96% |
None | Anytime |
| Copper Intrauterine Device (IUD) A t-shaped device with copper wire around it that is inserted into the uterus and can remain in place for 5 to 10 years. | Typical Use: 99.1% Perfect Use: 99.1% |
None | 6 weeks post-partum |
| Method (Hormonal) | Effectiveness of Method | Effect on Breastfeeding | When to Start |
| Injectable Contraception (“The Shot”) A reversible method of contraception that is given in the form of a needle in the upper arm or buttocks every 12-13 weeks. It only contains progesterone (no estrogen). | Typical Use: 97% Perfect Use: 99.7% |
Should not affect the amount or quality of breastmilk. No harmful effects shown with children up to 14-16 years of age. Longer term effects not fully understood at this time. |
Speak with your health care provider. Usually not recommended until at least 6 weeks postpartum. |
| Intrauterine System (Mirena or Kyleena) A small, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus which slowly releases progestin over time. It can remain in place for up to five years. | Typical Use: 99.8% Perfect Use: 99.8% |
Should not affect the amount or quality of breastmilk if used after 6 weeks postpartum. |
6 weeks post-partum |
| Progestin Only Oral Contraceptive (Mini-Pill) A tablet that is taken once a day at a specific time that contains progestin only. | Typical Use: 92% Perfect Use: 99.7% |
Should not affect the amount or quality of breastmilk if used after 6 weeks postpartum. |
Speak with your health care provider. Usually not recommended until at least 6 weeks postpartum. |
| Combined Oral Contraception (“The Pill”) A tablet that is taken once a day at a specific time that contains two types of hormone: estrogen and progestin. | Perfect Use: 99.7% | The estrogen contained in the pill may decrease your milk supply. |
Speak with your health care provider. Usually not recommended until at least 6 months postpartum. |
| Transdermal Contraception (“The Patch”) A patch that can be placed on various areas of the body that slowly releases hormones through the skin. It is applied once a week for three weeks, followed by a week without a patch. | Typical Use: 92% Perfect Use: 99.7% |
The estrogen contained in the patch may decrease your milk supply. |
Speak with your health care provider. Usually not recommended until at least 6 months postpartum. |
| Vaginal Contraceptive Ring (“Nuvaring”) A flexible ring that is inserted into the vagina that releases a continuous dose of hormones for the three weeks it is in the vagina. It gets removed for one week, then a new one is inserted. | Typical Use: 92% Perfect Use: 99.7% |
The estrogen contained in the ring may decrease your milk supply. |
Speak with your health care provider. Usually not recommended until at least 6 months postpartum. |
| NEXPLANON |
Over 99%* effective
*Less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women who used NEXPLANON for 1 year |
You may be able to use NEXPLANON if 4 weeks have passed since you had your baby. If you're breastfeeding and want to use NEXPLANON, talk with your health care provider for more information. | Your healthcare provider will help you determine when to have NEXPLANON inserted. |
Your doctor, nurse practitioner, or a lactation consultant can help you decide which form of birth control is right for you while you are breastfeeding. If you are considering a hormonal method of birth control, it is important to consider selecting a short acting form (e.g. the pill), rather than a long acting form (e.g. the shot), as the results may be reversed more quickly if they are having an impact on your milk supply.