1. Birth Control Following Birth
When most consumers think of birth control, hormonal methods most frequently come to mind. Preventing pregnancy doesn't always require a prescription or visit to the doctor's office, though. Following birth, breast feeding moms experience a period of infertility that can last up to six months and beyond. Some breast feeding moms never menstruate the entire time they're lactating, even if they breastfeed for a year or two, but you shouldn't use the lactational amenorrhea method of birth control beyond six months postpartum. Some women choose this method because they prefer to avoid the side effects of hormonal methods.
2. Nature's Method of Birth Control
Breast feeding as a method of birth control is considered to be up to 98 percent effective at preventing for up to six months following your baby's birth as long as you're exclusively breast feeding and not offering supplemental bottles of formula, water or pacifiers. Also, once you introduce solids, breast feeding is no longer an effective method of birth control, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not introducing solids until six months of age. This shouldn't be an issue for most breast feeding moms, since many moms also choose to strictly follow the AAP recommendations about prematurely introducing solids. Infertility following birth is your body's way of demonstrating that it's not ready for another pregnancy.
3. Who Shouldn't Use the Lactational Amenorrhea Method
The lactational amenorrhea method of birth control might not be right for you if you don't plan on exclusively breast feeding, if your baby sleeps more than six hours at night or if you plan to introduce solids earlier than six months. If you're uncomfortable with the thought of relying solely on breast feeding as a birth control method, you should choose another method. The lactational amenorrhea method of birth control can be used in conjunction with barrier methods or withdrawal. The birth control method that you choose ultimately depends on your level of comfort and desire to avoid another pregnancy.
