Immediately after giving birth the ovaries are largely inactive so that a woman is less likely to become pregnant again during this time.

How quickly fertility returns depends, amongst other things, on whether the woman breast feeds.
The hormone prolactin which stimulates milk production also suppresses ovulation and menstruation.

Modern scientific methods have been used to examine whether these insights can be used specifically as a method of contraception. The result is the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM), based on the breast-feeding related absence of menstruation.

Effectiveness of LAM

The method offers a certain degree of contraceptive protection during the first 6 months after delivery if the following conditions are fulfilled:

	You are still amenorrheic (no menstruation)
	The baby is given at least six long breast feeds per day with a total duration of at least 60 minutes
	The interval between two breast feeds is not more than six hours
	The baby is given no more than one non-breastfeed per day
	The baby is not given a dummy or tea bottle

However, the longer the time since delivery the greater is the chance of a renewed pregnancy even without menstruation.

Separation of mother and child (e.g. in the case of working mothers) reduces the efficacy of the method.

Advantages of LAM

Breastfeeding itself is not a very effective contraceptive method. However, it has many advantages for mother and child. Breastfeeding is the best form of nutrition, provides good immune protection and helps to establish bonding between mother and child.

Disadvantages of LAM

The main disadvantage is the low efficacy. Breast-feeding women should therefore use some additional form of contraception if they have intercourse and do not wish to become pregnant again.

However, not all methods are equally suitable. Non-hormonal methods are especially recommended, particularly the male condom. Hormonal contraceptives are not the method of choice for women who are breast feeding. Progestin-only preparations such as the minipill or the intrauterine system can, however, be used.