Contraception by breast-feeding, also known as amenorrhea, is commonly used by mothers in the past. So is this measure really effective and safe or not, let's find out with MarryBaby.
Why does breastfeeding help prevent pregnancy?
The method of breastfeeding amenorrhea has been around for a long time and completely scientifically based on the natural contraceptive ability of breast milk. Specifically, when breastfeeding, the body increases the production of prolactin and this hormone works to prevent ovulation. Thus, once the ovulation process does not occur, the mother will certainly not be able to get pregnant even if she has sex without using any other contraceptive methods.
Exclusive breastfeeding helps prevent pregnancy effectively in the first 6 months after birth
Amenorrhea is really effective?
Scientists confirm that the method of contraception by breastfeeding is up to 98% effective if all the following factors are met:
Mothers exclusively breastfeed their babies, that is, breastfing all day and night, the rest between feedings should not exceed 4 hours during the day and 6 hours at night; Infants do not consume or consume very little (less than 15% of their daily diet) liquid or solid foods in addition to breast milk, including water, juice, vitamins ...
Mother has not returned from menstruation. Any sign of vaginal bleeding 56 days after birth shows that the mother's fertility is working again even when the mother has not seen the "red light".
Baby under 6 months old. When the baby is over 6 months old, even if the mother continues to breastfeed, the effectiveness of amenorrhea will decrease significantly.
In case the mother does not breastfeed her baby completely, such as when she goes to work during the day and only breastfeeds in the evening, the baby has started to eat solids or the baby sleeps all night, so the mother does not breastfeed at night ... possible The mother's pregnancy rate will be higher. And of course, once I see the "red light" coming back, this natural contraceptive method is completely ineffective.
This is the time when mothers need to use other methods of safe sex if they do not want to get pregnant again, for example using a condom, IUD, taking a daily pill containing only progestin. Birth control pills that contain both progestin and estrogen reduce the quality and quantity of breast milk, so it should be a last resort for breastfeeding mothers.
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