Effectiveness: 98% if used correctly

Breastfeeding is an efficient contraception method if you follow the key guidelines:

Breastfeed your baby every 4 hours during the day, and every 6 hours during the night.

Don’t feed your baby anything other than breastmilk.

Chance of pregnancy if you practice LAM correctly:

The first three months - about 0

3-6 months -  less than 2%

After 6 months (if your periods have not yet returned) - about 6%

Benefits:

• It’s natural. It happens due to the peculiarities of a woman’s body
• You don’t have to wait. Once you start nursing, it prevents pregnancy right away.
• You don’t need a special prescription from your doctor
• It can reduce bleeding after child delivery
• It may diminish the chances of getting breast cancer
• You don’t have to pay for it. It’s free
• Your baby gets the best nutrition

Disadvantages:

• It requires dedication

• It doesn’t prevent from STDs

• Breastfeeding can be physically difficult

• Sometimes it may hurt

• It works only up to 6 months, once your period is back, you’re not protected from pregnancy

• Minor side effects: low lubrication or breast discomfort.

Breastfeeding is safe as a birth control option granted you observe all the conditions for it to be effective.

If you don’t want to use breastfeeding as a contraception method, you’re free to choose any of the available hormonal birth control options 3 weeks after childbirth. It will not hurt you or your baby but discuss it with your ob-gyn first.

Sources:

How safe is breastfeeding as a form of birth control?, babycentre.co.uk

Breastfeeding and Fertility, kellymom.com

Breastfeeding, plannedparenthood.org