Baby born end of March should we be careful..

Supercell

Baba as born at the end of March and has been breastfed since. Wife thinks she may have had her period a few days ago (light symptoms).

Should we be careful about nighttime aerobics in case she gets pregnant again so soon or is the breastfeeding still reasonably good as a contraceptive?

pwurple

If she has had a period she is ovulating and can get pregnant.

Supercell

I see, ahem..ok
God I hope not!

Better take precautions so!

dharma200

I gave birth in August, pregnant again by surprise in November, precisely the situation you could be in... definately take precautions

ectoraige

No single method of contraception is 100% effective.*
If you don't want another pregnancy use condoms.



*Abstinence method proven unreliable around alcohol.

How Strange

Have you heard of Irish twins?

Yes she most definitely can get pregnant. Breastfeeding acting as a contraceptive barrier only applies where a mum is totally feeding on demand day and night. Using soothers and bottles can interrupt the process so in reality even those of us who exclusively breastfed probably weren't getting the full contraceptive protection.

January

There are never any guarantee's either way! I'd be taking precautions even if she was breastfeeding unless you don't mind the thought of another so soon.

I got pregnant on number 2 when number 1 was 5 months old and number 3 was conceived when number 2 was 9 months old

Supercell

January wrote: »

There are never any guarantee's either way! I'd be taking precautions even if she was breastfeeding unless you don't mind the thought of another so soon.

I got pregnant on number 2 when number 1 was 5 months old and number 3 was conceived when number 2 was 9 months old

Actually I wouldn't mind truth be told, he's wriggling around in my arms and farting at the same time right now - sure what's not to love

Neyite

The hormone responsible for reducing the risks of pregnancy while breastfeeding is the Prolactin hormone, which is the same one that produces breastmilk.

A high level of Prolactin inhibits two hormones necessary for ovulation: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). Prolactin is present in lower amounts in males and non-lactating females, and increases during pregnancy and afterwards if breastfeeding.

While the level is high, ovulation is rare but possible, and How Strange is absolutely correct - even one bottle a day or using a soother can cause the prolactin level to dip enough to ovulate and therefore get pregnant.

My sister gave her child one bottle per day. She chanced her arm with her hubby once without contraception and whaddyanno? And she had previously had difficulty getting pregnant so didnt even think there was a risk. Luckily they were open to the idea of more children and the pregnancy was a welcome surprise.

dubstarr

Yes i got pregnant on son no.2 when i had been exclusively breastfeeding,i didnt have a period either.So it can happen. Theres 12 months between my first 2.

Ayla

As others have said, breastfeeding does not equal non-fertile. Even before the return of the period your wife can still ovulate so if you're not 100% sure you want another so soon then take precautions.