My name is Erin Paulsen and I am a junior nursing student at the University
of North Dakota. I am currently taking a childbearing class.  I subscribed
to this listserv a few weeks ago and have enjoyed learning about the
different topics.
  I am especially interested in how breastfeeding is used as a
contraceptive.  I checked the archives on this topic and it hasn’t been
discussed for a while.  I have heard elderly women talk about this before
and how they used this as a form of birth control between children.  I did
some research about breastfeeding as a contraceptive. According to Too
(2003), postpartum ovulation can happen as early as 28 days following
delivery of the baby.  Women who breastfeed delay the return of ovulation
after giving birth.  Since the first postpartum menses is a sign of
fertility, women should use some form of contraception such as the
lactational amenorrhoea method.
  The lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM) works by the baby’s sucking
sends nerve impulses to the hypothalamus which releases prolactin. This
interrupts the release of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRh) which
interrupts the lutenizing hormone(LH). LH is needed for Follicle
stimulating hormone (FSH) to stimulate the ovary (Queenan, 2004).
LAM needs full breastfeeding, or on breast milk only, with the exception of
water. It may also use almost full breastfeeding, which includes no more
than one teaspoon of other foods given to the baby.  The baby must be fed
frequently on demand and not given any pacifiers or bottles.  The LAM is
99% effective during the first 6 months and 97% effective at 12 months,
when used correctly (Too, 2002).  The risk of pregnancy increases with the
first postpartum menses and after 6 months postpartum.
My questions are: Do mothers know about LAM?  Is it still widely used
today? What benefits have you seen with the LAM?
Thank you,
Erin, SN

References:

Queenan, J. (2004) Contraception and breastfeeding. Clinical Obstetrics and
Gynecology, 47 (3), 734-739.

Too, S. (2003). Breastfeeding and contraception. British Journal of
Midwifery, 11 (2), 88-93.

Too, S. (2002). Breastfeeding and fertility regulation. British Journal of
Midwifery, 10 (5), 302-305.

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