Yes, you can get pregnant while nursing. The lactational amenorrhoea method, or LAM, method of contraception can only be effective under certain circumstances. Lactational refers to breastfeeding, and amenorrhea means not having a period or regular menstrual cycle.

If you exclusively breastfeed your baby, are not having periods postpartum, and your baby is under six months of age and feeding every four hours during the day and every six hours at night, you are unlikely to conceive.

It is extremely important to note that the absence of any of these conditions decreases this method’s chances of working. For example, if you sometimes feed your baby formula instead of breastfeeding, or your period starts, it is likely that you are ovulating again and can get pregnant.

However, even if you practice LAM precisely, using an additional contraceptive method postpartum is still recommended because of the health risks of conceiving too soon after giving birth. Studies have associated breaks of less than a year and a half between giving birth and conceiving a subsequent pregnancy with higher risks of preterm birth, neonatal death, and having a baby that’s small for dates. It’s also important to give your own body time to recover. The uterus is thought to need at least a year to recover. This is especially true if your baby was delivered by Caesarean section, which is spoken about so often that we sometimes forget it’s a serious abdominal surgery.

Which contraceptive is best postpartum?

You might think that birth control is the last thing you’ll have on your mind when your baby arrives, and you’re probably right. You’re unlikely to want to have sex right away. However, it is possible to fall pregnant again quite soon after you give birth. You may even ovulate before your first postpartum period. As we’ve mentioned, there are risks to both mum and foetus associated with having two pregnancies less than 18 months apart, and breastfeeding is not a reliable method of contraception.

You can return to your regular method of contraception after giving birth, with a few caveats. In a nutshell, the best contraceptive method to use postpartum is the one that’s both effective and right for you at that time.

Can I take the combined pill while breastfeeding?

Yes you can. Breastmilk is created by the bloodstream rather than as a direct result of what a mother consumes. You can learn more about this from lactation expert Wendy Lever in Unii’s Baby Feeding Journey but, to answer this question, the pill will not alter your breast milk or ability to breastfeed.

When can I have my IUD put back in after giving birth?

If you want to have an IUD after giving birth, you can have it inserted within 48 hours. This may be a more comfortable option for women who’ve had an epidural, as having an IUD can cause discomfort even when you haven’t just had a baby. This early insertion is associated with some risk of IUD expulsion, so you may like to discuss whether it’s appropriate with your doctor. Otherwise, an insertion at your 4-6 week postpartum visit may suit you better. A copper IUD won’t impact breastfeeding and research suggests that IUDs containing hormones are also safe while nursing.

You can learn more about life with a newborn from Unii's Newborn Journey video course with top consultant paediatrician Dr. Su Laurent.

Postpartum Contraception: Can I get pregnant while breastfeeding?

Unii looks at the specific requirements for the lactational amenorrhoea method.