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Managing Fertility Naturally During Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is the natural next step after nurturing a baby within the womb and giving birth. It offers benefits to both the mother and her child.

Benefits to the baby include a readily available and hygienic source of breast milk at the correct temperature that protects against allergies and diseases and is nutritionally correct. Breastfeeding also promotes bonding between the mother and her child.

Breastfeeding benefits the mother through its convenience, cost-effectiveness, reduction in premenopausal breast cancer, stimulation of the uterus to return to its normal size, and continuation of temporary infertility.

Milk production is stimulated when the baby sucks on the breast. Therefore, efficient sucking is all-important. If there is no sucking, the milk will dry up. Best practice includes establishing breastfeeding as soon as possible and feeding the baby on demand. Night feeding is normal for some time and is helpful in preserving a good supply of milk.

Birth regulation while breastfeeding

The Billings Ovulation Method® of Natural Family Planning is an extremely effective method of birth regulation that is compatible with breastfeeding. Scientific studies indicate that with proper instruction and motivation, this method is 99% effective when put into actual practice. Whereas contraceptive methods have negative side effects that include passing contraceptive medication to the baby through breast milk, the Billings Ovulation Method® is the natural and healthier option that achieves avoidance of pregnancy without harm to either the mother or her baby.

“Looking back on all those months, I wish I had known about the Billing Ovulation Method. I was infertile the whole time.”

Mary Jane (30 years old)

Temporary Infertility

During breastfeeding the pituitary gland produces the hormones prolactin (milk production) and oxytocin (for the “let down” of milk). Prolactin also has the effect of temporarily suppressing ovulation. As a result, mothers who breastfeed may experience a period of infertility. This time of infertility is variable and depends on several factors. Speak to one of our instructors for more information.

Returning fertility

There are a number of reasons why fertility returns when it does. Each woman’s fertility returns in her own time. Speak to one of our instructors for more information.

“I was excited to breastfeed baby Eloise but we wanted some time before we had another baby.  We’d heard about the Billings Ovulation Method from a friend. She and her husband were very happy using it. We decided to try it. There was way less abstinence than Kyle thought there would be. I’ve been amazed that I’ve been able to take care of & feed my baby and I’ve learned so much about my body & myself. It hasn’t always been easy but we are so glad that this method has worked for us.”

Brandi

Do you have accurate information to help you breastfeed? Find a Learning Center near you and connect with one of our accredited instructors.

Outside of the GTA? Find locations across Ontario here. For locations across Canada, visit our Links to Other Billings Groups page.

The Natural Family Planning Association

895 Don Mills Rd., Two Morneau Shepell Centre
Suite 900
Toronto, Ontario M3C 1W3, Canada
nfptoronto@naturalfamilyplanning.ca
NaturalFamilyPlanningAssociation
437-600-9333


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