Breastfeeding & Menstrual Cycle

Mothers who nurse their babies often enjoy the fringe benefit of not having a menstrual cycle for a few to many months. The effect breastfeeding has on the menstrual cycle offers a natural method to prevent pregnancy, as well as using the body the way it is designed to nurture offspring. Once a mother knows the factors that influence the return of ovulation and menses she can depend on breastfeeding to delay the menstrual cycle during the early months of her babys life.

Variance

Each mother's experience with breastfeeding is unique.

Each mother is unique as is her experience of breastfeeding and the menstrual cycle. While some nursing mothers may not experience a menstrual cycle for three months, others will have a lack of menses for two years or more. The act of breastfeeding releases the hormone prolactin which suppresses ovulation. According to La Leche League International certain factors, such as frequency of feedings, introduction of solid foods, artificial nipples and supplementation influence the return of the menstrual cycle while breastfeeding and contribute to the lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) of birth control.

Frequency

Breastfeeding a baby on cue, when she is hungry and not on a schedule contributes to a delayed menstrual cycle. Babies who are kept close to mother to feed during the day and night, as well as allowed to nurse for comfort, often breastfeed frequently enough to suppress ovulation.

Solid Foods

Delaying solid foods until a baby is ready supports breastfeeding.

A mother who is breastfeeding her baby under the age of six months exclusively without any solid foods is likely to experience a delayed return of the menstrual cycle. Solid foods often replace breastfeeding and in effect reduce babys time at the breast, which ends up in less prolactin to suppress ovulation. A breastfeeding mother can feel confident in waiting to introduce solids until the baby shows signs of readiness, such as sitting up, interest in food and ability to grasp small objects between the forefinger and thumb.

Artificial Nipples & Supplementation

Young babies up through toddlers have the need to suck for proper jaw development and comfort. Sucking at the breast stimulates the release of prolactin-suppressing ovulation. If a baby uses a pacifier the time sucking at the breast may be reduced, and the menstrual cycle may return more quickly than if the baby is allowed to satisfy the sucking need at the breast. Breastfeeding with supplementation of water or formula can reduce the time the baby nurses, also resulting in the return of the menstrual cycle.

Birth Control

Breastfeeding can be an effective method of birth control.

The LAM of birth control has been found to be 98 percent effective, according to kellymom.com. Mothers who are exclusively breastfeeding a baby under six months of age without the return of the menstrual cycle, allow baby to nurse on cue and have not started solid foods can depend on this method of birth control as much or more than other conventional methods. While a woman can ovulate before her menstrual cycle returns the chances is less than two percent when all factors are considered. Some mothers experience this benefit for two years or more while breastfeeding.