Lactational amenorrhoea method

Breastfeeding method.

LAM is a temporary method of contraception that can be used by people who have recently given birth. It relies on all 3 of the following conditions being met:

• you are exclusively breastfeeding your baby, and
• your baby is less than 6 months old, and
• your period has not returned since giving birth.

• Preventing pregnancy.

LAM works due to the natural changes that occur in your hormones when you are breastfeeding. When your baby is exclusively breastfeeding and feeding often, your body makes high quantities of prolactin - a hormone that stops your ovaries from releasing an egg. If no egg is released, you cannot become pregnant.

LAM will start working immediately after you give birth, as long as all 3 conditions are met.

Up to 98% effective.

LAM is only effective when all 3 of the following are true:

• you are exclusively breastfeeding both day (at least every 4 hours) and night (at least every 6 hours), and
• your baby is less than 6 months old, and
• your period hasn’t returned since giving birth

If any one of these things is no longer true, you should not rely on LAM as a method of contraception.

LAM is less effective if:

• you are not exclusively breastfeeding, for example you are pumping and bottle feeding
• you start feeding your baby formula or solid foods
• you are feeding less often and have long gaps between feeds, for example reducing or stopping night feeds
• your baby is using a dummy, and this leads to less frequent breastfeeding or reduced feeds
• your baby is older than 6 months

No.

Internal and external condoms are the only types of contraception that protect against STIs.

For LAM to work, you should be exclusively breastfeeding at least every 4 hours during the day and at least every 6 hours at night.

No. LAM is private and not something others can ‘see’ or detect. No one can tell you are using LAM unless you tell them.

No. There are no side effects associated with LAM.

LAM is suitable for most people but may not be appropriate if you cannot exclusively breastfeed, have conditions that limit breastfeeding, or cannot meet the strict feeding requirements.

You do not need a prescription, device or appointment to use LAM — it is based on how you feed your baby. You can use LAM on your own, but it can help to get advice from a healthcare professional such as your GP, maternal and child health nurse or lactation consultant.

LAM is free.

No, LAM has no impact on your future fertility. You could fall pregnant as soon as you stop using this method or if you no longer meet the three criteria.