BF as birth control?

Question

I have read that EBF is 98% effective as birth control for the first six months. So why is my doctor pressuring me to choose an additional birth control method?

Answer

My doctor said it can be a reliable form of birth control only if you are nursing every 2 hrs. 
But if you start pumping or going longer stretches without nursing, it's no longer that effective.

Answer

Hmm I'll have to look into that. BC has messed up my hormones in the past and masked the symptoms of a pituitary tumor so I'm wary to use anything artificial. We wanted to do natural family planning but like you said my periods will be a regular or not at all so that will be hard. Not sure we want to deal with condoms for that long either…

Answer

Don't count on it. I ovulated at 4 weeks pp and had period at 6 weeks. EBF but I also pump but between feedings not in place of them.

Answer

You ovulate before your period so you never actually know when your period is coming back. Because of this it is easy to get pregnant while breastfeeding because you are not expecting it. It's safer to get on birthcontrol if you do not want back to back babies

Answer

"Taking Charge of Your Fertility" by Dr. Toni Weschler is the go-to source on this, and I highly recommend it, even if you don't want to use Fertility Awareness Method (not to be confused with the much-less-useful rhythm method). It's only good for 6 months and you have to follow every rule, all the time. So no bottles, no pacifiers, nothing except breastfeeding every few hours, even overnight. Because it's so intense and hard to do with many moms needing to work, womens' fertility tends to come back sooner.
If you don't want hormones, you can always check out the copper IUD. I love mine, and I'm happy to answer questions if you're interested.

Answer

If you don't breastfeed at least every 4 hours or less, you will ovulate. I was told this at my 6 week appt. I wouldn't rely on it fully. We will be using condoms :)

Answer

It does cut down then chance of getting pregnant but it can still happen if you don't want to be pregnant again in the next year then think if BC as a back up to the BF.

Answer

It is if you follow the "rules" purely breastfeeding at least every 4 hours. From the breast not expressing. There's a few other things too.

BF as birth control?

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