Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)
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!
How LAM Works
- When a woman breastfeeds, there are hormones in her body that prevent the egg from leaving the ovary.
- Changes lining of uterus so that a fertilized egg may not implant.
LAM Works Only If
- You breastfeed your baby and do not give baby any other food, formula or drinks.
- You breastfeed your baby every 4 to 6 hours day and night, no exceptions. LAM may not work as well if you give your baby a pacifier.
- You have not started your monthly period since your baby was born.
- Your baby is younger than 6 months.
LAM Does Not Work If
- You pump the milk instead of breastfeeding.
- Your baby is older than 6 months.
- You have started your period since your baby was born.
- You give your baby any other food, formula or drinks.
Benefits
- Do not have to visit clinic for birth control.
- Does not interrupt sex.
- Breastfeeding is good for mother and baby. Helps keep baby healthy.
- Can be used with some other methods including condoms, spermicides, IUD, Depo-provera, mini-pills, Norplant, natural family planning, and sterilization.
Possible Disadvantages
- No protection from STls and HIV/AIDS.
- May not work if you have sudden schedule changes.
- May not work if mother and baby are separated a lot.
- Must be ready to use another method when LAM will not work.
- Cervical caps and sponges do not work as well as they did before baby was born.
- Mother may have less milk if using birth control methods that have estrogen.
How Well Does It Prevent Pregnancy
If used perfectly, 2 out of 100 women get pregnant in a year while using the LAM method.