Birth Control

[AngelFarrell]

I am exclusively breast feeding my 12 week old boy. Is it really safe to have unprotected sex till I start him on solids at 6 months, and therefore cut back his BF. My husband and I want to have more children, just not for a while!!!!

[lele]

I would say no, if you don't want to be pregnant then no.  You could very well end up pregnant even if you are exclusively breast feeding.  Some people begin ovulating very soon even if they are breast feeding.  You just never know when you will.

[Fife_Mum]

No. I don't know of any health professional who would advise no birth control while breastfeeding. If you really don't want to take anything then look into natural family planning. Otherwise check out your options. Apparently progesterone-only pill/implant is OK for breastfeeding mums. It depends what suits you, how big a gap you plan and how 'careful' you want to be.

[GraceKellysmom]

The first 56 days after birth, if EXCLUSIVELY breastfeeding, are infertile. After that, yes, you can get pregnant. Often you ovulate before you get your first period back, which means you could get pregnant before you get your period.

[annamum]

You can definitely get pregnant while breastfeeding, many nursing moms got pregnant again and very early.

There is a misconception about nursing exclusively. Most women think that it means no formula or solids. But if you give your baby some water or juice it already is not exclusive breastfeeding. Also, in the past breastfeeding was regarded as a contracetive method but then pacifiers were not used and babies used their mother's nipple to pacify themselves. So baby was at the breast more often and not on schedule which means breast was stimulated often enough to prevent return of fertility. There are some women who practice this, it is called an ecological breastfeeding and on average their period doesn't return before 12 months postpartum but this is an average and it really depends on your own inner clock. In any case, nursing doesn't protect you against pregnancy.

[M&M's Ima]

My ds didn't have a pacifier, and I totally nursed him on demand. But he slept through the night very well, so I was only nursing once all night, and I had my period by seven months.
Also, a friend whose baby didn't take a pacifier, and also nursed on demand, even at night, got pregnant two or three months post partum.

[AngelFarrell]

Thanks heaps for the advice. I definately do not want to get pregnant again for quite a while. We had a scare, which made me realise how important I feel it is for me to be able to totally devote myself to our Samuel, and I was surprised at how jealous I felt for him when I thought I could be pregnant again so soon. Will be making sure hubby & I use protection.