What Is the Lactational Amenorrhea Method?

A temporary family planning method based on the natural effect of breastfeeding on fertility. (“Lactational” means related to breastfeeding. “Amenorrhea” means not having monthly bleeding.)

The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) requires 3 conditions. All 3 must be met:

1. The mother’s monthly bleeding has not returned

2. The baby is fully or nearly fully breastfed and is fed often, day and night

3. The baby is less than 6 months old

• “Fully breastfeeding” includes both exclusive breastfeeding (the infant receives no other liquid or food, not even water, in addition to breast milk) and almost-exclusive breastfeeding (the infant receives vitamins, water, juice, or other nutrients once in a while in addition to breast milk).
• “Nearly fully breastfeeding” means that the infant receives some liquid or food in addition to breast milk, but the majority of feedings (more than three-fourths of all feeds) are breast milk.
• Works primarily by preventing the release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). Frequent breastfeeding temporarily prevents the release of the natural hormones that cause ovulation.

Effectiveness depends on the user: Risk of pregnancy is greatest when a woman cannot fully or nearly fully breastfeed her infant.

• As commonly used, about 2 pregnancies per 100 women using LAM in the first 6 months after childbirth. This means that 98 of every 100 women relying on LAM will not become pregnant.
• When used correctly, less than 1 pregnancy per 100 women using LAM in the first 6 months after childbirth.

Return of fertility after LAM is stopped: depends on how much the woman continues to breastfeed

Protection against sexually transmitted infections: none

None. Any problems are the same as for other breastfeeding women.

Known Health Benefits

Helps protect against: risks of pregnancy

Encourages: the best breastfeeding patterns, with health benefits for both mother and baby 

Known Health Risks

None

The lactational amenorrhea method:

• Is highly effective when a woman meets all 3 LAM criteria.
• Is just as effective among fat or thin women.
• Can be used by women with normal nutrition. No special foods are required.
• Can be used for a full 6 months without the need for supplementary foods. Mother’s milk alone can fully nourish a baby for the first 6 months of life. In fact, it is the ideal food for this time in a baby’s life.
• Can be used for 6 months without worry that the woman will run out of milk. Milk will continue to be produced through 6 months and longer in response to the baby’s suckling or the mother’s expression of her milk.