Many new mothers wonder if they are more fertile after stopping breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can suppress ovulation and menstruation, acting as a natural form of birth control. So does fertility increase once breastfeeding ends? Here is a look at the evidence.
How does breastfeeding affect fertility?
Breastfeeding delays the return of menstruation and ovulation through the following hormonal effects:
- Prolactin – The hormone that produces breast milk also suppresses ovulation.
- Oxytocin – Released during nursing, oxytocin prevents the release of eggs from the ovaries.
- Estrogen – Estrogen levels remain low while breastfeeding, which inhibits fertility.
Together, these hormonal changes prevent ovulation and menstruation, making pregnancy less likely. This is known as lactational amenorrhea.
Lactational amenorrhea is effective as a temporary form of birth control when three conditions are met:
- Your period has not returned since giving birth
- You are exclusively breastfeeding and nursing at least every 4 hours during the day and 6 hours at night
- Your baby is under 6 months old
Under these conditions, lactational amenorrhea is over 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, it becomes less reliable as nursing sessions decrease or when mothers start supplementing with formula or solid foods.
When does fertility return after childbirth?
The return of fertility varies greatly among women after having a baby. Here are some general timelines:
- No breastfeeding – Menstruation and ovulation may resume as early as 45 days after giving birth.
- Exclusive breastfeeding – Many women do not get their period for several months. Fertility returns around 10-18 months postpartum on average.
- Partial or token breastfeeding – Menstruation often returns within 6 months postpartum as prolactin levels drop.
However, it is impossible to predict exactly when an individual woman will regain her fertility. Some women ovulate before having a period again, while others may not ovulate for over a year after childbirth.
Does fertility increase after stopping breastfeeding?
Research shows that fertility generally increases after ceasing breastfeeding. Here is what the evidence says:
- One study found that 50% of women ovulated within 1 month of fully weaning. By 3 months after weaning, 86% of women had ovulated at least once.
- Another study found that 67% of women had ovulated within 6 weeks of stopping breastfeeding. All women ovulated within 10 weeks of weaning.
- Multiple studies show the average time for menstruation to resume after ending breastfeeding is around 6-8 weeks.
The main reason fertility rebounds is that prolactin and oxytocin levels drop rapidly when breastfeeding stops. This allows estrogen production and ovulation to resume.
Therefore, most women do become more fertile within 1-3 months after weaning. However, a minority of women may still not ovulate for several more months.
Does age affect postpartum fertility?
Age is a significant factor in postpartum fertility. Here’s how it impacts fertility after having a baby:
- Teens – Tend to regain fertility and menstruate sooner than older mothers after childbirth. Often become fertile within 6-8 weeks of giving birth.
- 20s to mid 30s – Most women in their reproductive prime start ovulating 1-3 months after weaning.
- Late 30s to 40s – May have longer delays before ovulation resumes, especially if breastfeeding. Often ovulate within 4-6 months of stopping nursing.
- Over 40 – More likely to have irregular cycles or delays in menstruation and ovulation after having a baby.
In general, younger mothers tend to have a faster return to fertility compared to older mothers. But many variables beyond age also affect the individual timeline.
Do birth control pills increase fertility after childbirth?
Using birth control pills may help establish regular menstrual cycles after childbirth and weaning. How rapidly fertility returns depends on when the pills are started:
- Immediately after birth – Can increase fertility after stopping the pills within 1-2 months.
- Right after weaning – May trigger ovulation within 1 month of discontinuing the pills.
- Months after weaning – Fertility typically returns 1 cycle after stopping the pills.
Birth control pills can “kickstart” the reproductive system by controlling prolactin and estrogen levels. This regulation can help initiate ovulation once the pills are stopped.
How soon can you get pregnant again after having a baby?
It’s possible to get pregnant quite soon after giving birth if fertility returns rapidly. Here are the general timelines:
- No breastfeeding – As early as 4-6 weeks postpartum
- Exclusive breastfeeding – Average 9-18 months postpartum
- Partial breastfeeding – Average 3-6 months postpartum
- Weaning after 6 months – Often within 1-3 months
However, doctors recommend waiting at least 12-18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again. This spacing allows the body to fully recover and replenish nutrients.
Having pregnancies too close together increases the risk of complications like preterm birth, low birth weight, placental problems, and anemia.
What affects the return of fertility?
Several factors influence when ovulation and menstruation return after childbirth besides breastfeeding. These include:
- Age – Younger moms tend to ovulate sooner.
- BMI – Women with lower BMIs may have longer lactational amenorrhea.
- Baby’s sleep – More night nursing delays fertility.
- Bottle feeding – Supplementing speeds up ovulation.
- Pacifier use – Can decrease prolactin levels and lead to earlier fertility.
- Menstrual history – Moms with irregular cycles pre-pregnancy may have longer amenorrhea.
- Genetics – Heredity plays a role in hormonal function postpartum.
Talk to your doctor if your period has not returned 12-18 months after giving birth even with regular weaning. This may signal an underlying health issue.
Signs fertility is returning
Watch for these signs that your fertility is rebounding after having a baby:
- Increased cervical mucus
- Breast changes like soreness and fullness
- Higher libido
- Mittelschmerz (ovulation pain)
- Skin changes like acne
- Returning menstrual period
Tracking basal body temperature and using ovulation test kits can also help pinpoint when ovulation resumes.
Tips for preventing pregnancy
If you want to prevent pregnancy after childbirth, here are some tips:
- Use condoms or other barrier methods if not exclusively breastfeeding.
- Start birth control pills shortly after giving birth if not nursing.
- Get an IUD or implant at your postpartum checkup before fertility returns.
- Use fertility awareness methods like tracking cervical mucus changes.
- Continue breastfeeding on demand to prolong lactational amenorrhea.
- Abstain from sex or use emergency contraception carefully during the fertile period.
Talk to your healthcare provider about the best contraceptive options for your situation. Don’t rely on lactational amenorrhea alone unless meeting the criteria for maximum effectiveness.
Takeaway
Here are some key takeaways about fertility after stopping breastfeeding:
- Prolactin and oxytocin suppression are removed once breastfeeding ceases, allowing ovulation to resume.
- Most women ovulate within 1-3 months after fully weaning.
- Getting pregnant again is possible soon after childbirth, even as early as 6 weeks if not breastfeeding.
- It’s ideal to wait at least 12-18 months between pregnancies for the healthiest outcomes.
- Use contraception even if breastfeeding until menstruation returns to prevent unintended pregnancy.
Understanding the average timelines as well as your own personal risk factors can help you plan your family spacing appropriately after having a baby. Work closely with your doctor and use protection unless trying to conceive again.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon after giving birth can you ovulate if not breastfeeding?
If not breastfeeding, ovulation can resume as soon as 45 days after giving birth, or about 6 weeks postpartum. However, the average is around 8-10 weeks. Ovulation precedes the first postpartum period.
Can you get pregnant before your first period after having a baby?
Yes, you can absolutely get pregnant before your first postpartum period occurs. Since ovulation precedes menstruation, your body can release an egg ready for fertilization before noticeable bleeding happens. This risk is higher if not exclusively breastfeeding.
Do breastfeeding mothers need to use contraception?
Breastfeeding mothers should use contraception unless they want to get pregnant again once menstruation returns. Even exclusive breastfeeding only delays ovulation, but does not prevent it indefinitely. Using birth control provides protection as cycles become irregular during breastfeeding.
How long should you wait to get pregnant again after birth?
Doctors recommend waiting at least 12-18 months between giving birth and getting pregnant again. This spacing reduces risks to both mother and baby associated with pregnancies too close together. But women should consult their provider about what spacing is ideal based on their health.
Can you get pregnant before 6 weeks postpartum?
It is biologically possible but highly unlikely to get pregnant before 6 weeks after giving birth. While a very small number of women may ovulate this soon, most take several weeks longer to regain fertility. Having intercourse too soon also raises infection risk. It’s best to use protection regardless until after the 6-week checkup.
Does breastfeeding guarantee you won’t get pregnant?
No, breastfeeding is not a foolproof form of birth control. While exclusive, on-demand nursing can significantly delay ovulation for several months, it does not prevent pregnancy indefinitely. Once you start supplementing or spacing out feedings, fertility is likely to return even while breastfeeding. So additional contraceptives are recommended.
What helps restart your period after pregnancy?
Fully weaning from breastfeeding is the most common way to restart menstruation after giving birth. Using birth control pills, losing weight if overweight, lowering stress, and improving nutrition can also help restart periods. Make sure to rule out complications if your period has not returned 12-18 months postpartum.
Conclusion
In summary, the end of breastfeeding is a tipping point for fertility to return after childbirth. While timelines vary, ovulation typically resumes within 1-3 months of fully weaning. It’s possible for women to get pregnant again just weeks after having a baby if not breastfeeding. To prevent unhealthy birth spacing, use contraception even while nursing until ready for another pregnancy. Monitor your cycles carefully and work with your healthcare provider to achieve your family planning goals safely.