I think when we are talking about LAM and the risk of pregnancy we need to remember that the WHO numbers are statistics. They cannot be applied to individuals in such a way as to indicate that early return of menses equals insufficient breastfeeding. Really, the question is...when it comes to LAM...did any of these women find themselves accidentally pregnant...early on. Lawrence has indicated (in the earlier edition of her book) that it is unlikely that a woman will conceive before her first period. In the new edition she seems not quite so sure...but does say that, even when menses returns early... 67% of those cycles will be anovulatory. I quote Lawrence here "The degree of inhibition associated with breastfeeding has decreased remarkably since the time of hunter/ gatherers....(still), LAM can provide protection against pregnancy for the first 6 months even in well-nourished women who are giving some supplemental foods." Susan Keith-Hergert RN, MS, CPN, IBCLC Mercy Health Partners Cincinnati *********************************************** The LACTNET mailing list is powered by L-Soft's renowned LISTSERV(R) list management software together with L-Soft's LSMTP(TM) mailer for lightning fast mail delivery. For more information, go to: http://www.lsoft.com/LISTSERV-powered.html