How effective is EBF as a contraceptive?

[EssJayPea]

I still feed through the night and haven't had a period yet so wondered how risky it is? X

 

[titch]

Whats EBF? Breast feeding isnt the best contraception even in women who are fully BFing. So no I wouldnt rely on it at all.

 

[tweetyfoo]

Exclusively breast feeding

I'm pretty sure we've had a few bfp's from ladies EBF

I really wouldn't rely on it x


Please excuse any typos from my fat fingers!
Tapatalk madness!

 

[l_maclean]

Exclusively breast feeding can be up to 98% effective, same as the pill.

However just like the pill can be knocked off by a lot of things (like sickness) so can bf as contraception - there are a lot of rules.

The main one is you need to be feeding ever 4 (I think) hours including during the night (absolutely no exceptions!) This is where is falls down for a lot of people as LOs start to sleep for longer. Also even if you are feeding that regularly if your period returns you have ovulated and are no longer covered.

I think It was Kelly mom site I got info from.
Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[EssJayPea]

Excellent. Thanks. That's great info! X,

 

[TORino]

I have had 2 people tell me it is effective, that is until your periods return. However, you ovulate before your periods return and I happened to notice a huuuuge lot of ewcm before I got my period back, so I'm pretty sure I would have been fertile.

I wouldn't personally rely on unless you are open to having another baby.

 

[l_maclean]

I have had 2 people tell me it is effective, that is until your periods return. However, you ovulate before your periods return and I happened to notice a huuuuge lot of ewcm before I got my period back, so I'm pretty sure I would have been fertile.

I wouldn't personally rely on unless you are open to having another baby.

you will ovulate before your period, as its the ovulation that triggers the return of your period - but by all accounts the chances of that are very slim IF you follow the rules!! - i think the main problem is that many people dont realise how strict the rules for bf as contraception are and thats where they get caught out. No contraception is 100%- so i guess all of them are about where you're personal risk is comfortable. iykwim. x

 

[cosmicgirl]

I'm using EBF as contraception, although we haven't bd'd since this lo was conceived at the end of December last year so that's pretty good contraception too x

 

[redbear]

My midwife told me- she had her 2nd baby while breastfeeding her eldest when he was three months old, you can take the mini pill and bf i would do that personally just to cover yourself.

 

[Lolly85x]

A good friend of mine fell pregnant when she was EBF, her LO was 8 weeks old. Very close age gap...!!!xxx

 

[babymother]

It is effective but only for the first 6 months as as long as other things are followed.
exclusive, on cue Breastfeeding.
Breastfeeding at night.
No other supplements given to baby.
There may be more but can't remember.
The night feeds are very important to this, as your prolactin levels are higher in the evening and at night, and it's prolactin that suppresses oestrogen, which is the hormone to do with ovulation.
Sorry for rant lol

http://kellymom.com/bf/normal/fertility/

 

[l_maclean]

It's a bit like the being sick with the pill type thing, a lot of people don't realise there are so many rules, and get caught out. X


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[redbear]

i would use both bf and another contraception better to be sure incase you miss feeds unexpectedly xx

 

[TORino]

The doctor and family planning nurse never mentioned anything to me about feeding to a schedule and in the night etc, it was simply, you are covered until your periods return, which I didn't happen to buy myself so I abstained.

To be fair, having monitored my cycles and closely watched symptoms for a long time, I reckon I was covered until the baby was weaned, after that I definitely ovulated and my period came a while after that.

If you aren't open to having a baby if get some extra protection in place just in case.

 

[Me, My Girls & I]

It doesn't work, I have proof although she was sleeping thru, so wasn't doing night feeds, but still thought I'd be covered

 

[EssJayPea]

Whoopsie. Better start that pill, just in case. Think I'd end up in the loony bin with another right now!

MMGAI: how did you get a baby to sleep through being bf? You must have magical powers! X

 

[l_maclean]

It doesn't work, I have proof although she was sleeping thru, so wasn't doing night feeds, but still thought I'd be covered

Didnt work cos you didn't follow the rules!!!! Lol. Xxx


On my iPhone - so cant see tickers

 

[Me, My Girls & I]

I was just really really lucky with the sleeping thru! It is true that I didn't follow the rules tho! I didn't know about the 4h thing, she was feeding at least every 2h jn the day so I just assumed it would be ok

 

[Mrsyogibear]

Breastfeeding should not be used as contraception, many women have became pregnant with EBF so if you dont want to be pregnant again anytime soon i would advise you use something.

 

[cosmicgirl]

Lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM)

Women don't have periods while they're breastfeeding (this is known as lactational amenorrhoea). Therefore breastfeeding can be used as a form of contraception. This is known as the lactational amenorrhoea method.
The fertility signals used in natural family planning methods are not reliable in women who are breastfeeding.
Women who are fully (or nearly fully) breastfeeding can use the lactational amenorrhoea method for the first six months as long as:
the woman has complete amenorrhoea (no periods at all)
she's fully or very nearly fully breastfeeding
the baby is less than six months old
When used correctly and consistently, one in 200 women who use LAM will get pregnant in the first six months. However, take care to use the method correctly. Don't feed your baby other foods because this may reduce your lactation.

LAM becomes unreliable:
when other foods or liquids are substituted for breast milk
after the baby is six months old
After having a baby, it's possible to get pregnant before your periods start again because you ovulate (release an egg) around two weeks before your period. For more information on breastfeeding, LAM and other reliable methods of contraception, talk to your health visitor, midwife or doctor.

Directly from the NHS website.
EBF can work well as a contraception as long as you follow the rules.
Like any form of contraception, it's not 100%. Nothing is 100% other than abstaining x