Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding?

☰ Table of content

1. Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding?

The answer is yes—you can get pregnant while breastfeeding. Therefore, if you are not planning to have another child soon, it is best to use a reliable contraceptive method as soon as you resume sexual activity after childbirth. Research has shown that ovarian function and fertility return in the following stages:

• Follicles begin to develop without ovulation (no chance of pregnancy).
• Menstrual cycles occur without ovulation (this does not always happen).
• Ovulation begins, but the corpus luteum is not yet fully functional (after ovulation, fertilization can occur. However, if the uterine lining is not adequately prepared for implantation, pregnancy may not occur).
• The corpus luteum becomes fully functional (full fertility is restored—at this point, breastfeeding no longer affects the chances of pregnancy).

You may have one or more menstrual cycles before ovulation resumes. In such cases, menstruation occurs in the early phase of fertility recovery—before ovulation returns. Anovulatory cycles (menstrual cycles without ovulation) are most common within the first six months postpartum. However, some mothers may experience menstruation before ovulation resumes, while extended breastfeeding-induced amenorrhea (absence of menstruation) may increase the likelihood of ovulation during the first few cycles.

A very small percentage of women ovulate for the first time postpartum and become pregnant without experiencing a menstrual cycle. This is rare and is often associated with a decrease in breastfeeding frequency.

Many breastfeeding mothers report experiencing cyclical cramping or premenstrual-like symptoms—sometimes for weeks or even months before their period returns. This indicates that the body is preparing for the return of menstruation, but breastfeeding continues to delay the full return of fertility.

The time required for full fertility recovery varies for each woman. Generally, the sooner menstruation returns, the sooner fertility is restored.

2. Can you use breastfeeding as a form of birth control?

There are several misconceptions about breastfeeding and contraception:

• Exclusive breastfeeding is not an effective contraceptive method.
• Breastfeeding, regardless of frequency or milk supply, provides contraception—even if menstruation has returned.

The method of birth control through exclusive breastfeeding is known as lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). Lactational amenorrhea is the natural postpartum infertility period that occurs when a woman does not menstruate due to breastfeeding. Many mothers receive contradictory information about breastfeeding and fertility. In reality, exclusive breastfeeding has been scientifically proven to be an effective birth control method under specific conditions:

• Breastfeeding can delay ovulation for several months (or even longer), especially if you are exclusively breastfeeding.
• The production of breast milk delays the return of menstruation, forming the basis of the LAM contraceptive technique.

To use this method correctly, you must meet the following criteria:

• Your baby must be under 6 months old.
• You must breastfeed at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours at night.
• Your baby should receive only breast milk (no formula or solid foods). Formula feeding and introducing solid foods make this method less effective.

LAM is reported to be 98% effective during the first 6 months postpartum if followed precisely. However, its effectiveness decreases as the baby grows, especially when:

• The baby starts eating solid foods.
• The baby breastfeeds less frequently due to longer sleep periods at night.

You can start ovulating again at any time without knowing it. This means you could become pregnant before your first postpartum period. Do not wait until your first period returns to use a reliable contraceptive method. If you want to use breastfeeding as a natural family planning method, consult a healthcare provider or lactation consultant about LAM—preferably before childbirth.

3. How to maximize the effectiveness of LAM as a contraceptive method?

The time required for fertility to return varies for each woman and depends on breastfeeding patterns and how sensitive the mother's body is to lactation-related hormones.

The frequency and total duration of breastfeeding within a 24-hour period are the strongest predictors of fertility return. A mother is more likely to regain fertility if the baby’s breastfeeding frequency or duration decreases—especially if the reduction is sudden. Some studies have shown that nighttime breastfeeding helps delay fertility return. Research indicates that mothers who pump breast milk exclusively (but provide 100% breast milk) have a higher pregnancy risk (5.2%) within the first 6 months postpartum. Introducing solid foods can also contribute to fertility returning sooner.

To extend lactational amenorrhea, follow these guidelines when introducing solid foods:

• Breastfeed before offering solid foods.
• Introduce solid foods gradually.
• Do not limit breastfeeding sessions.

You can improve contraceptive effectiveness by following these breastfeeding patterns:

• Keep the baby close to you to encourage frequent breastfeeding.
• Breastfeed on demand (day and night).
• Use breastfeeding as a comfort method instead of pacifiers.
• Breastfeed in a lying position at night for mother and baby’s comfort.
• Avoid using bottles or pacifiers.

If practiced correctly, the chance of pregnancy is nearly 0% in the first 3 months, under 2% between 3–6 months, and around 6% after 6 months (assuming menstruation has not returned).The average time for menstruation to return is 14.6 months postpartum. Women whose cycles return early often do not ovulate in the first few cycles. Women whose cycles return later are more likely to ovulate before their first period.

4. Do you need to stop breastfeeding to get regnant?

The answer is no. If you are still in the fertility recovery phase, breastfeeding may affect implantation success. However, once implantation occurs, breastfeeding does not affect a healthy pregnancy. If your menstrual cycles have returned and are regular, breastfeeding is unlikely to impact your fertility.

Sudden changes in breastfeeding patterns tend to accelerate the return of fertility (e.g., abruptly eliminating a feeding session instead of gradually reducing the duration of that session)—even if you continue breastfeeding frequently. This explains why many mothers experience the return of fertility when their baby starts sleeping through the night or begins eating solid foods.

If you decide to modify your breastfeeding routine, the time of day when you make the change (e.g., reducing or eliminating nighttime feedings instead of daytime feedings) does not make a significant difference. Current research indicates that the overall frequency and total duration of breastfeeding within a 24-hour period are the most critical factors influencing fertility return, rather than the specific timing of feedings throughout the day.

Some mothers may find it difficult to conceive while breastfeeding, but this is uncommon. Many mothers also wonder whether breastfeeding affects the reliability of a pregnancy test. The answer is no—pregnancy tests detect the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) in blood or urine, and hCG levels are not influenced by breastfeeding. Once implantation occurs, the developing placenta begins releasing hCG, and pregnancy can typically be detected with a test within 7–14 days after implantation.

Reference source: babycenter.com 

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