Transcript

Do I need contraception if I am breastfeeding?

In order to use exclusive breastfeeding as a natural contraception, you must also fulfill the following three conditions to ensure the breastfeeding hormones suppress ovulation effectively:

• Your baby is less than 6 months old
• You have no menstruation during exclusive breastfeeding
• Your baby is exclusively breastfed on demand over the day and night time

Just like other contraception, this method is not 100% effective. When the baby suddenly reduces his appetite, like fall ill or quit night feed, ovulation may not be suppressed. The contraceptive effect is lost, even though you are not menstruating yet. Without using other contraceptive methods, unplanned pregnancy may occur. Therefore, if you are not planning for another pregnancy soon, other contraceptive methods must be used, such as condoms, pill suitable for breastfeeding mothers, intra-uterine device, etc. For more information, please contact Maternal and Child Health Centres or other healthcare professionals.