You’ve just had your baby, you’re breastfeeding and you wonder: is there is any chance I could get pregnant?  The possibility exists.  Most sources say that breastfeeding is approximately 98% effective as a contraceptive.  This method of contraception, Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM), is most effective for women who are breastfeeding “full time”, in other words 9 out of 10 daily feedings.  The belief is that breastfeeding triggers a hormone that stops ovulation from occurring.  If you plan to breastfeed full time for six months to a year you may remain period free the entire time.

That said, every women’s body is different and if you are lucky enough to have a baby that sleeps through the night, ovulation may resume more quickly for you.  And here’s the tricky part:  you may even release an egg before you begin bleeding again.  The simple answer is the following: if you are not breastfeeding full time and are sure you don’t want to get pregnant, it’s always safest to use a barrier method (condoms and diaphragms) as back-up.