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Getting Pregnant While Breastfeeding
PDF version
(great for printing)
By Hilary Flower, author of
Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding
During Pregnancy and Beyond, published by La Leche League
International
So you're breastfeeding and dreaming of a new baby? Good news!
Lots of moms are able to conceive a new baby without having to wean
their current nursling. Let's look at seven of the most common questions.
Do I have to wean in order to get pregnant?
Probably not. It is true that breastfeeding can delay the return
of fertility, especially while frequency and duration of breastfeeding
sessions remain high. But most women can become fully fertile while
still breastfeeding.1
Is there a way to bring my fertility back sooner?
Try tinkering with your breastfeeding pattern. Each pair is different.
There is no magic or typical threshold of breastfeeding intensity
which predicts the return of fertility. Abrupt changes generally
bring back fertility more rapidly and at a higher threshold of breastfeeding
frequency than gradual changes.1
Of course, you and your child would have to be ready for a radical
change. And bear in mind, your body may be trying to space your
children more so as to prolong the special status your current nursling
is enjoying!
My menstrual cycle has returned; am I fertile yet?
If you are experiencing regular menstrual cycles, and if you were
normally fertile before, chances are you have returned to normal
fertility. Long, short, or irregular cycles can be a sign that your
cycles are not yet fertile. Sometimes it's just the way your body
works; it helps if you have a record of your cycles from before
you were breastfeeding.1
How can I tell if I am fertile?
If you wish to know more about your fertility status, you can gain
remarkable insights using simple family planning methods. Toni Weschler,
MPH, includes a section on charting during breastfeeding in her
wonderful guide Taking Charge of Your Fertility.
Can I get pregnant before my first period?
Yes! Some lucky and patient moms manage to "catch the first egg."
While you are still amenorrhoeic you can monitor your returning
fertility on a family planning chart. Patience is the key, because
the amenorrheic period when changes are occurring can involve weeks
or months of wet cervical fluid. Weschler's Taking Charge of
Your Fertility has great information on this.
I have had problems with infertility in the past; should I wean
before treatments?
If you're eager to become pregnant first steps may include charting
some cycles or reducing breastfeeding to evaluate your fertility
status. If you are not ready to try to conceive, though, you may
do well to take precautions since fertility reversals do occur.
Although there is no direct research, there is no obvious reason
to believe that fertility treatments would harm the breast milk.
To find out the latest on how a particular drug affects breastfeeding,
turn to Thomas Hale, MD's Medications and Mothers' Milk.
Clinical observations suggest that Clomid (Clomiphene) is compatible
with breastfeeding.2 And there is no reason to expect
that breastfeeding would affect your fertility treatment because
the drugs will control your cycle.3
Is it safe to continue breastfeeding while pregnant?
Breastfeeding is believed to be compatible with healthy pregnancies.
Many moms go on to nurse throughout pregnancy and nurse both newborn
and toddler together, an arrangement known as tandem nursing. For
the latest in research related to breastfeeding and such concerns
as preterm labor, miscarriage, and the nutrition of the unborn child,
see my book Adventures in Tandem Nursing: Breastfeeding during
Pregnancy and Beyond.
REFERENCES
- McNeilly, AS, Glasier, AF, Howie PW, Houston MJ,
Cook A, Boyle H. Fertility after childbirth: Pregnancy associated
with breastfeeding. Clinical Endocrinology (1983) 18:167-173.
- Hale, Thomas, MD, personal communication 2002.
- McNeilly, Alan, PhD, personal communication, 2002.
McNeilly is the world’s leading researcher on the return
of fertility during lactation.
Page last modified:
10/17/2004
