Is LAM effective in postponing pregnancy?
Yes. According to the Bellagio Conference, LAM is 99% effective during the first 6 months postpartum. But I know someone who got pregnant while breastfeeding! In order to best guarantee a long period of lactational amenorrhea, certain criteria must be met. Was your friend using bottles or pacifiers? Giving any supplements of water, formula or juice? Did they spend time away from their baby? These things can cause lactational amenorrhea to cease sooner. Often not nursing frequently at night can cause lactational amenorrhea to cease sooner, even if you are exclusively breastfeeding. For most women, lactational amenorrhea will be effective to prevent pregnancy for six months, or until food or supplements are given. Then once you begin to feed your child food, then you should start charting your fertility signals, in order to look for the return of fertility.
