Is breastfeeding really a form of birth control?

Lactational amenorrhea is medical speak for when a woman who breastfeeds consistently after giving birth doesn’t ovulate. This method can be 98% effective at preventing pregnancy IF… 1) It has been less than six months since the baby was born; 2) The baby is only nursing (that means no formula, bottles, or food); AND 3) Your period has not started again.

If you aren’t exclusively nursing your baby, you can ovulate as soon as three weeks after giving birth!If all three points don’t apply to you, or if you just want to be super-confident that you’re covered against another pregnancy, there are a bunch of other methods that are safe for new moms.