The safest contraception options for breastfeeding

Now that you've finally welcomed your newborn into the world, you're probably not looking to get pregnant immediately.

While you want to spend the time soaking up your new baby, you're also probably excited about giving your body a break after 9 months of pregnancy as well as the physically demanding experience of birth.

If you're breastfeeding, this can impact the contraception method you choose as some forms of birth control aren't recommended for breastfeeding parents.

We've rounded up the best options for breastfeeding mums so you can make an informed decision when it comes to contraception after birth.

How likely is it to get pregnant while breastfeeding?

There is always a chance of falling pregnant after giving birth, even if you are breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding can act as a temporary birth control method, but there are several rules you will need to follow for this natural family planning method to successfully prevent pregnancy.

Many mums will experience a time of delayed fertility while breastfeeding.

However, if you are not engaging in exclusive breastfeeding and have been supplementing with formula at times, you will need to rely on another form of birth control to ensure you do not fall pregnant during this time.

Can breastfeeding prevent pregnancy?

As mentioned above, breastfeeding can be a temporary birth control method, however, there are some caveats.

This form of birth control is known as the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM). It only works if you exclusively breastfeed and don't supplement with formula or anything else for the first 6 months.

Research has found that people who breastfeed their babies usually have a more extended period of amenorrhea (the absence of menstruation) after giving birth than those who don't breastfeed [1].

The length of time of postpartum amenorrhea is variable, however, in general, the more frequent the woman feeds and the more months she spends breastfeeding, the longer the period of reduced fertility.

To use LAM correctly, you will need to:

• Exclusively breastfeed: You will need to delay introducing solid foods and avoid feeding your baby formula.
• Nurse whenever your baby wants to: You will need to be feeding at least every 4 hours during the day and every 6 hours during the night, and pumping is not an adequate substitute, unfortunately!
• Avoid giving your baby a dummy: You will need your baby to satisfy their sucking needs while breastfeeding instead of using a dummy.

According to the World Alliance for Breastfeeding, if you follow all of the above provisos, there is a very low chance of less than 2% of getting pregnant [2].

It is essential to follow the 4 and 6-hourly feeds during the day and night, respectively, as you may start ovulating during the 6-month timeframe if you're not following these rules.

Unfortunately, you may have no real clue whether or not the Lactational Amenorrhea Method works as you can fall pregnant before your first postpartum period.

If your period has returned, even if you are just spotting, and if your baby is older than 6 months, you will be unable to rely on LAM and need to consider other forms of birth control.

If you are breastfeeding after welcoming your baby, you may experience some discomfort and challenges that are totally normal for new mums.

But, these experiences can sometimes force you to take a break from breastfeeding due to sore and cracked nipples, for example.

Kin's Breastfeeding Essentials, which includes the nourishing Nipple Balm and reusable Breast Pads, was designed to cater to these issues.

The Nipple Balm helps build skin elasticity, combat dryness and prevent nipple cracking. It's also safe for your baby so you don't have to wipe it off before feeding.

The Breast Pads are lightweight, absorb moisture and ease discomfort from sensitive and sore nipples.

When should you start using contraception after birth?

Once a birth parent is ready to return to sexual activity after welcoming their child, they will need to begin considering birth control options.

Most doctors will recommend new parents wait until after their 6-week check-up before having sex, however, many people choose to engage in sexual activity before the 6-week mark if they are ready.

It's important to note that you can become pregnant even if you are breastfeeding and haven't had a period yet.

Using birth control before your first postpartum period is safe and encouraged to prevent unplanned pregnancies after giving birth.

You have several options for birth control after giving birth, including hormonal methods such as a contraceptive implant and contraceptive injection, and barrier methods such as condoms and diaphragms, which also protect you from sexually transmitted diseases.

You may also choose to have an IUD inserted within the first 48 hours after giving birth, otherwise, it's advised to wait until four weeks postpartum.

Depending on when you get your first postpartum period, you may be able to start using certain hormonal contraceptives, as long as you've been cleared by a healthcare professional 3 weeks after delivering your baby.

Otherwise, you may need to wait until 6 weeks postpartum.

Who should not use the lactational amenorrhea method?

A few people will be unable to use LAM due to being unable to breastfeed and may want to consider another contraception method [3].

These factors include:

• HIV infection: HIV may be transmitted from a mother to their child through breast milk and those with HIV may avoid breastfeeding as a result.
• Medication: Certain medications shouldn't be used with breastfeeding. Make sure to speak to your healthcare professional about any medication you might be on and whether it may interfere with breastfeeding.
• The newborn cannot breastfeed: If your baby has a condition that makes it difficult to breastfeed, such as the inability to digest food normally, being born premature, small for their age or having issues with their mouth, jaw or palate.

Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding if your period hasn't returned?

Women are generally fertile 2 weeks before their period, which means that even if you haven't yet had your period, you can still fall pregnant [4]!

Your first period after birth might not restart until you stop breastfeeding, but this doesn't mean that you haven't been fertile before then.

Can you breastfeed while on hormonal contraception?

All birth control is safe for a breastfeeding mum. However, hormonal contraception that has oestrogen can impact your breast milk supply, so you may choose to wait 6 weeks postpartum before taking it.

While some women will tolerate it without any issue with their breast milk supply, it can cause some mums' milk to dry up completely.

Once that 6-week timeframe has passed following your delivery, you can take your birth control, knowing it's completely safe.

If you weren't breastfeeding or at risk of blood clots, you could take it as soon as you like after giving birth.

What are the safest contraception options when breastfeeding?

There are many options when it comes to contraception for breastfeeding mothers [4]. These include:

• Condoms
• Diaphragms
• Contraceptive injection
• Intrauterine device or IUD
• Permanent sterilisation

Contraception that isn't recommended while breastfeeding

If you are breastfeeding, it's best to not use the following types of contraception:

• The combined oestrogen/progestogen oral contraceptive is not recommended before 6 weeks postpartum as it can reduce your breast milk production. After this, it is perfectly safe!
• The vaginal ring is also not recommended for the same reasons — it also contains hormones and can impact breast milk supply.