Can you get pregnant whilst breast feeding?

[Shaze12]

Can you get pregnant whilst breast feeding with out a period?

[stephkp]

Yes you can. It’s less likely due to the hormones released when breastfeeding but it is completely possible. You ovulate about 2 weeks before you get a period, so if you are having unprotected sex, you need to speak to your GP to be put on birth control or use some other method of birth control if hormonal contraception isn’t for you

[Shaze12 in reply to stephkp]

I'm not getting any periods.. can I still get pregnant?

[stephkp in reply to Shaze12]

Yes. Breastfeeding is not a reliable form of contraception. Like I said ovulation normally occurs 2 weeks prior to you having a period. Ovulation can restart at any point after birth (the further from the birth you are, the more likely this is) and if you are having unprotected sex you could get pregnant before ever having a period. That’s why the nhs advises starting contraception ASAP after having a baby because you are more fertile just after giving birth. Speak to your gp about contraception

[cmbxm]

You ovulate before you have a period so if you’ve sporadically ovulated you could get pregnant. Breastfeeding is not a form of birth control and your periods can restart at anytime

[Octoberbaby2019]

Yes, although some doctors may try to make you believe you cannot but its not a safe form of contraception.

[roxannacar in reply to Octoberbaby2019]

That depends... There is a contraception method called lactional amenorrhea, where if you are breastfeeding exclusively for the first 6 months (and haven't got a period), it is 98% effective, basically as good as the pill. Of course if you want contraception on top of that you're absolutely within your right to ask.

[Storm1990]

I’m 18 weeks pregnant with my second. I was EBF my first at the time, she’s 8 months old now, you definitely can.

[Shaze12 in reply to Storm1990]

Was you having periods?

[roxannacar]

Yes but it's unpredictable. I breastfed for 14 & 18m. Never got a period even on one night feed. As soon as I stopped with my first I got pregnant.

[Hills2005]

Yes you can get pregnant while still breastfeeding even though you don’t have your periods yet. When I was breast feeding my now 15 years old when she was 3 months I conceived and when bloods were taken I was already 8 weeks pregnant ... so if you don’t plan to get pregnant it’s better to have some birth control like every one else said in here.

[Seb9]

You can get pregnant when breastfeeding, although it might stop you ovulating if you're full time exclusively feeding with no formula feeds, feeding during the the night etc. If baby goes longer between feeds, or you're not breastfeeding so much during the night then you could ovulate at anytime and wouldn't know so it's really not a guarantee and many woman get caught out and end up pregnant.