Birth Control by Breastfeeding

(The Lactational Amenorrhea Method)

The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

It is a well known fact that breastfeeding suppresses a woman's fertility in the early months after delivery. However, many women do not feel comfortable relying on breastfeeding as a form of birth control because they have been told it is unreliable, or perhaps because they know someone who became pregnant while breastfeeding.


The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) was created to allow women to safely rely on breastfeeding as a family planning method. Based on scientific research, the method uses three measures of a woman's fertility: 1) the return of her menstrual period, 2) her patterns of breastfeeding, and 3) the time postpartum.

Who can use LAM?

A woman can use LAM if:

1. her menstrual period has not returned since delivery (Bleeding or spotting during the first 56 days is not considered menstrual bleeding.)   AND

2. she is breastfeeding her baby on demand, both day and night and not feeding other foods or liquids regularly (Occasional tastes of foods or other liquids are permitted, but they should never replace a feeding at the breast.)   AND

3. her baby is less than six months old.

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When all three of these conditions exist, she has less than a two percent chance of becoming pregnant. However, the woman is encouraged to begin using a complementary family planning method when any of the three conditions changes, or whenever she chooses.

Scientific studies conducted around the world by the Institute for Reproductive Health and other organizations have proven that when used correctly, LAM is an effective, safe, convenient short-term way for breastfeeding women to delay pregnancy.

Study/Date	N	Efficacy (%)	Pregnancies (#)
Chile*/1989	422	99.5	1
Ecuador*/1993	330	99.8	2
Pakistan**/1995	391	99.4	1
Philippines**/1996	485	99.0	2
Multicenter*/1996	519	98.5	5

* Study conducted by the Institute for Reproductive Health.
** Study conducted by Family Health International.