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Should I stop breastfeeding to get pregnant?
I'm happily breastfeeding my seven-month-old daughter. I am 39, and we would like to start trying for a second child soon. I haven't had a period yet, and understand that exclusively breastfeeding can be a natural form of birth control. If I want to get pregnant should I stop breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding does help to space pregnancies. Since the key to suppressing fertility is breastfeeding for the majority of your baby's feeds (less than 15 per cent complementary feeds), and frequent and regular breastfeeding (day and night without long intervals between feeds) you might want to work towards reversing that pattern. There are several things you can do to encourage the return of fertility:
- Space out the amount of time between feeds
- Reduce or eliminate night-time feeds, allowing at least one six-hour period without breastfeeding
- Decrease the length of feeds
- Include solid foods as part of your baby's diet – approximately 25 per cent
Keep in mind that during a baby's first year of life, breast milk should still be the priority. If you do decide to make any changes at this time, be sure to do it gradually. Before one year of age a baby that is weaned from the breast will need to be offered formula milk for any missed feeds.
Once your period resumes, begin noting your cervical mucus and basal body temperature. Make love each day, or every other day during the time of your most fertile (stretchy, slippery) mucus. With luck, it won't be long before you’re pregnant again. Though you feel the urgency of your biological clock ticking away, you do still have time.
Debbi
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