Posted by Teacher on July 15, 2003 at 07:57:42:
In Reply to: my baby is a week old how long till u can TTC again? posted by heidi on July 15, 2003 at 06:07:30:
It depends on your body and when it ovulates. Some people try for a long time after their baby is born and have a difficult time.
Others believe that breastfeeding keeps you from ovulating, as well. I did a LOT of research on this because I, like you, was hopeful that we could have our children close together. However, I also want my babies to have the benefits of breast milk for as long as possible.
Several of the websites said you have only a 2% chance of conceiving while breastfeeding (unless you start having periods). However, I must say that I have personal friends who fell into that 2% who were breastfeeding regularly and who believed they could not become pregnant. Here are a few other quotes and some information that might be helpful for you:
"Women who breast feed their children have a temporary reduction in fertility which is one of nature's methods of birth control. The medical term is lactational amenorrhea which means lack of menstruation due to breast feeding. Two things are necessary for the method to be successful: The woman must not be having her periods. If she does, she can get pregnant. She must be fully, or nearly fully, breast feeding. This means that she is the primary source of her child's nutrition. Her breasts must be emptied every four hours. This means using a breast pump if she's not with her child all the time. This method can be very effective for 6 months or even longer." (Borrowed from Anne Roses' Ultimate Birth Control Page)
"Use birth control if you do not want to get pregnant again right away. Breastfeeding may delay ovulation (release of egg cell), but there is no way to know just when you will start ovulating again. The more you nurse, the greater the chance ovulation will be delayed." (borrowed from King County Public Health)
"Fertility is most effectively suppressed when the baby goes no longer than four hours during the day and six hours at night between feedings." (borrowed from Breastfeeding Basics Website)
"Many breastfeeding mothers are interested in how well breastfeeding works as a birth control method. Breastfeeding is effective in preventing ovulation and possible pregnancy if you do not supplement with formula at all. This means the baby receives no liquids, no solids other than mother’s milk–day and night, and no pacifiers." (borrowed from Virtual Hospital)
"If you are feeding your baby only milk from your breasts, it is quite likely that your periods will not return for a number of months. If this is the case for you, then you probably won’t get pregnant during the first 6 months of breastfeeding. After your baby is 6 months old, the contraceptive effect of breastfeeding decreases, especially if you start bleeding." (borrowed from Wyoming Health Counsel)
Hope this helps!
Tight hugs,
~Teacher
P.S. I also read that it's best to wait until you stop bleeding and your vagina heals from childbirth before TTC. They say that's usually 4-6 weeks for all to go back to normal.
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