How Breastfeeding Affects Fertility

There are a lot of rumors swirling around out there about how breastfeeding can affect fertility. We are here to clear up all those misconceptions so that you can be in charge of growing your family at the right time for you.

Can I Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?

The #1 question a lot of new moms ask is if they can get pregnant while breastfeeding. The answer is — yes. It is definitely possible. While breastfeeding can inhibit ovulation, it doesn’t always work that way, so it’s important to assume that you can get pregnant.

A lot of breastfeeding moms don’t get their period while breastfeeding. This can lead you to think it is not possible to get pregnant — but that’s just not the case.

If you are not ready to expand your family, use another form of birth control even if you are not getting your period.

When Does Fertility Return?

Each nursing mama will have a different answer to this question. A good sign that fertility is returning is when you get your period back. For some people this happens quickly and others can go a year or more with no period.

Also, even if you do not have your period, if you are no longer exclusively breastfeeding or your baby is older than 6-months, chances are your fertility has started to return.

Keep in mind that even if you do have a period, sometimes your first few periods after breastfeeding will come without ovulation.

What Does This Mean for Me?

What this means is that there is no easy answer to understanding fertility during breastfeeding. Unless you are going in for a transvaginal ultrasound to see if you have follicles — or are getting your hormones tested for ovulation hormones — there is no 100% positive way to determine how breastfeeding has affected your fertility.

If you are trying not to conceive, using another form of birth control is always a good idea. If you would like your fertility to come back so you can conceive, decreasing breastfeeding will sometimes help in that regard but talk to your doctor to learn more.

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