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BFers who haven't seen AF: Do you drink the water?

HailsLyricsHailsLyrics
in Babies: 9 - 12 Months

I've been BF and supplementing (off and on) for 9 months now. I haven't had AF and I'm sure it's because my breasts are consistantly emptied throughout the day (even with him eating solids.) I know that BFing can be a good form of birth control although it's not foolproof.

My question: if you haven't had your period yet (most likely not ovulating), do you drink the water or do you use other forms of protection?

We just do "the pull out method." We plan on trying again starting in June, so it wouldn't be bad if we became pregnant a bit earlier (although I'd like to wait until that month.)

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Re: BFers who haven't seen AF: Do you drink the water?

  • octbridemarylandoctbridemaryland member
    Except in the beginning when it still hurt, I've been drinking the water. Condoms are expensive, and I figure we can enjoy ourselves with good old natural BC. I wouldn't be upset being knocked up anyhow. 
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  • sapgirl76sapgirl76 member
    No sign of AF and the water is being drank (drunk?).  We'd be delighted to get pregnant again but Henry's showing no sign of weaning so I'm guessing it'll be a while before fertility resumes.
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  • grapeape73grapeape73 member
    I haven't had AF yet.  We use condoms.  I was thinking about another IUD, but now I'm really torn about having "just one more LO."  I'm getting up there (37) and DH is 42.  So we really need to make a decision.
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  • angelprobertsangelproberts
    imageHailsLyrics:

    I've been BF and supplementing (off and on) for 9 months now. I haven't had AF and I'm sure it's because my breasts are consistantly emptied throughout the day (even with him eating solids.) I know that BFing can be a good form of birth control although it's not foolproof.

    My question: if you haven't had your period yet (most likely not ovulating), do you drink the water or do you use other forms of protection?

    We just do "the pull out method." We plan on trying again starting in June, so it wouldn't be bad if we became pregnant a bit earlier (although I'd like to wait until that month.)

    DO NOT FALL FOR THE OKEY DOKE!!!! I am almost 6 months pregnant with a 10 month old. I was not TTC but I also wasn't doing much to not get pregnant. I never saw AF but one time since DD was born. I have talked to plenty of people that I have told that I thought I couldn't get pregnant b/c I was BF'ing and they all laughed at me. I have seen lately on a few talk shows women that also thought they couldn't get pregnant b/c they were BF'ing and they had babies with them on the show.  If you aren't trying right now please use some other form of protection until you're ready.

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  • ctrfrei1ctrfrei1

    I'm glad you asked this because I have been wondering myself...

    I have been taking the mini pill but just stopped taking it this week because we want to start TTC#2. I have not had a period since April 2009!!! I wonder if it was a waste to take the pill when I have been BFing all this time and no AF...

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  • HailsLyricsHailsLyrics
    imageangelproberts:
    imageHailsLyrics:

    I've been BF and supplementing (off and on) for 9 months now. I haven't had AF and I'm sure it's because my breasts are consistantly emptied throughout the day (even with him eating solids.) I know that BFing can be a good form of birth control although it's not foolproof.

    My question: if you haven't had your period yet (most likely not ovulating), do you drink the water or do you use other forms of protection?

    We just do "the pull out method." We plan on trying again starting in June, so it wouldn't be bad if we became pregnant a bit earlier (although I'd like to wait until that month.)

    DO NOT FALL FOR THE OKEY DOKE!!!! I am almost 6 months pregnant with a 10 month old. I was not TTC but I also wasn't doing much to not get pregnant. I never saw AF but one time since DD was born. I have talked to plenty of people that I have told that I thought I couldn't get pregnant b/c I was BF'ing and they all laughed at me. I have seen lately on a few talk shows women that also thought they couldn't get pregnant b/c they were BF'ing and they had babies with them on the show.  If you aren't trying right now please use some other form of protection until you're ready.

    If you did have AF once then that would mean that you began to be fertile (IMO.) For me, if/when I do see AF for the first time, I would definitely use another form of protection (unless it's June by then! In that case we'll be TTGP.)

     

    This is what I've found on the subject:

    Breastfeeding can work well as a method of birth control, but, like any other type of contraceptive, it is not foolproof.

    Breastfeeding delays the return of your periods. However, you'll ovulate before you have your first period. This means there's a chance that you could become pregnant if you rely on your period returning as a sign that you are fertile again.

    Frequent and regular breastfeeding as a form of contraception is known as the lactational amenorrhoea method (LAM). LAM is said to be more than 98 per cent effective.

    However, LAM will only work for you if:

    • your baby is younger than six months old
    • your periods have not returned
    • you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby on demand, night and day

    Exclusively breastfeeding on demand usually means a minimum of six long breastfeeds every 24 hours. If you want LAM to work for you, don't leave a gap between feeds of longer than four hours during the day or six hours at night. And don't give other fluids or solid food to your baby.

    With LAM, your breasts need to supply all your baby's suckling needs. In other words, your baby shouldn't have a dummy. Your baby's suckling stimulates the hormones that suppress ovulation.

    Once your baby stops exclusively breastfeeding, breastfeeding becomes less effective as a method of contraception. So when you start giving your baby solid food, even if your periods still haven't returned, you could be fertile. You may want to use another form of contraception, to be on the safe side. (https://www.babycenter.ca/baby/breastfeeding/contraceptionexpert/)

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  • HailsLyricsHailsLyrics

    It appears that birth control by breasfeeding has to do with the baby suckling at the breast. This suckling prevents ovulation. When the baby begins to suckle less (takes in other foods and/or liquids) it reduces the fertility-suppressing effect. (https://www.breastfeeding.com/reading_room/lam_page3.html)

    So in my circumstances, I'm still breasfeeding my son very often (4 - 6 times a day and several times throughout the night.) All my LOs suckling has prevented my AF from returning (so far.) Hmmm.

     

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  • homebirdhomebird member

    I don't understand what you mean by "drinking the water". Having sex? Trying to have a baby? What?

    We've been using condoms. They're not that expensive, imo. We'd like to start trying for number 2 in December, and I don't see the point in starting the pill at this point.


    Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
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  • homebirdhomebird member
    Everything that I have read (and that my doctor has told me) is that BFing is NOT a reliable form of birth control. You can get pregnant even if you've not had a post-partum period.

    Evelyn (3.24.10), Graham (5.30.13) & Miles (8.28.16)
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