[ShawnaCAN]

I think it would be a good idea to make a sticky about breastfeeding and post partum. Please post any websites or books you found helpful, or if you'd like to share your experience - please do!

Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
A woman's chance of pregnancy is less than 2% if the following criteria are met:

1. Baby gets all nutrition at the breast (no supplements, no pumping, no solids)
2. Woman has had no bleeding or spotting beyond 56 days post partum
3. Baby is under 6 months of age

**All 3 must apply for LAM to be reliable for avoiding pregnancy, it is necessary to chart if you do not meet all 3 requirements for LAM**

Websites about LAM:
NFPS-50 BREAST-FEEDING
PubMed

Ask the Expert (CANFP) - NFP after Baby
Using NFP while Breastfeeding and bottle feeding

Billings Ovulation Method while Breastfeeding
http://www.thebillingsovulationmethod.org/preventing-pregnancy/preventing-pregnancy-while-breastfeeding.html

[jhmomofmany]

We have been very happy with the spacing that breastfeeding gives us. My periods have returned at 14 months post-partum at the earliest. This has spaced most of our children between 2 and 2 1/2 years apart, which we feel is just perfect. If anything, I get anxious for my fertility to return before it actually does!

[ShawnaCAN]

You're so lucky! My fertility always returns really fast, despite breastfeeding. I start charting the second my bleeding stops after birth! LOL

[LJD3Tdance]

You're so lucky! My fertility always returns really fast, despite breastfeeding. I start charting the second my bleeding stops after birth! LOL[/b]

I second this...I made it all the way to like 4 months this time, or just before or something before my period returend...lame!

[blessdmommy]

Originally Posted by jhmomofmany

We have been very happy with the spacing that breastfeeding gives us. My periods have returned at 14 months post-partum at the earliest. This has spaced most of our children between 2 and 2 1/2 years apart, which we feel is just perfect. If anything, I get anxious for my fertility to return before it actually does!

We are hoping this will be the case for us as well. I am still BFing DS2 (10 months old) 3-4x a day with no return of AF.

[Fruitfull_vine]

Originally Posted by jhmomofmany

We have been very happy with the spacing that breastfeeding gives us. My periods have returned at 14 months post-partum at the earliest. This has spaced most of our children between 2 and 2 1/2 years apart, which we feel is just perfect. If anything, I get anxious for my fertility to return before it actually does!

This has been the same for us as well. I'm still breastfeeding our 1yo and hope to continue for another couple of months. The spacing in our home is about the same as well...between 2-3yrs apart depending on how long I breastfeed. The longest I've ever nursed is 15mos, that meant no AF for over 2yrs (including the 9mos of pg)!!!! That was with our 1st baby, I'm hoping to last that long or longer with this one too - our 6th!

[LJD3Tdance]

Yeah, that's posted in the rules there, that's number 1 actually, no supplementing.

[rebecca0217]

Wow! I wish that AF stayed away longer. My cycles come back quick and I have had to really early MC becasue my body is not ready. It sucks. I only BF but my Doc says I am in the 1% of women whose cycles come back within 3 months no matter what I do...My mom says that should change as I get older...I am only 25. Hope she is right.

[stackerzling]

thought i'd jump on in here i've been breastfeeding for 16 months and still no AF. I wish it would COME BACK.

[LJD3Tdance]

haha I'm at 15 months and it has been back for 9 of them...I'm jealous!

[jhmomofmany]

Wow! I wish that AF stayed away longer. My cycles come back quick and I have had to really early MC becasue my body is not ready. It sucks. I only BF but my Doc says I am in the 1% of women whose cycles come back within 3 months no matter what I do...My mom says that should change as I get older...I am only 25. Hope she is right.

There may be some truth to this. It has taken me longer and longer after each baby, it seems. My Lucy is 20 1/2 months old and still no sign of a period... my longest time without PPAF so far.

[LJD3Tdance]

Each of mine got longer too, but not like that...I finally hit 6 months with my last...hoping to continue the trend after this baby!