https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 29 Apr 2026 01:02:05 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1153267 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 14:05:42 +0000 rattles 1153267@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I use the Creighton method of NFP. I have used it since 2010 and have been very pleased with the results. Because it does not use temperatures in its charting, the method is far easier to use when waking at all hours with a newborn. It also includes specific guidelines for use when breastfeeding. I'm 10.5 months postpartum and have had no issues thus far. Creighton method is taught by individual instruction, and you should be able to find an instructor near you on their website if it sounds like something about which you'd like to learn more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1152811 Wed, 16 Oct 2013 11:48:42 +0000 anandam 1152811@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm sorry your doctor was so disrespectful! He deserves to be kicked in the groin. Good lord!</p> <p>Breastfeeding NFP is called LAM - Lactational Amenorrhea Method. It is HIGHLY effective (97-98%) if you fit the guidelines: breastfeeding exclusively and on demand, baby is not sleeping through the night or going more than a few hours between feeds, you're actually nursing and not just pumping, you haven"t had a period yet, and it's still the first 6 months postpartum.</p> <p>Beyond that you can also definitely do NFP/FAM by the rules, just be sure you're following an accepted, studied method that makes adjustments for the postpartum period when your body's patterns and signs of fertility are somewhat different. You will have long stretches of ambiguity that require abstinence or barrier method back-up.</p> <p>But your doctor was so very wrong to just shut you down! I'm indignant on your behalf! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1121650 Mon, 30 Sep 2013 12:53:11 +0000 LovelyPlum 1121650@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: if you're thinking of NFP after breastfeeding, it might be a good go-to. We used it for two years without getting pregnant. Granted, that was before any little ones, but it has worked well for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1121645 Mon, 30 Sep 2013 12:52:48 +0000 2PeasinaPod 1121645@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We used condoms. They may not be ideal, but if you don't want another baby this soon after having your last, you do what you have to! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1121608 Mon, 30 Sep 2013 12:39:54 +0000 sarac 1121608@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>NFP CAN be very effective in SOME women, provided you follow all the very strict guidelines. And then only until 6 months. And not for all women. It really cannot be used unless you're ok with another pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1120889 Mon, 30 Sep 2013 08:56:52 +0000 JerricaBenton 1120889@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm afraid of NFP while nursing, because we are not ready for another LO. We're just using condoms for now because I don't want to go back on hormonal BC until after LO#2. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1120828 Mon, 30 Sep 2013 08:31:40 +0000 autumnlove 1120828@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yeah, it wasn't a reliable method of BC for me. I got pregnant when I was nursing and using NFP. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1120808 Mon, 30 Sep 2013 08:21:19 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 1120808@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're an nfp family, but it's not a good plan while breast feeding. You can use a barrier method during that time... And I 100% agree with your doc that breast feeding is not birth control. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1120749 Mon, 30 Sep 2013 07:51:37 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 1120749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was more so thinking of NFP for after we finish with breastfeeding. I suppose condoms will be the go-to for now. Neither of us are very fond of them, but I don't want to risk having high anxiety and depression at this moment :S </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116749 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:36:53 +0000 Revel 1116749@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would you consider an IUD? I've had my Paragard for about 5 weeks and so far I'm very happy with it and it's non-hormonal. </p> <p>ETA: I am 17 weeks PP </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116714 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:28:42 +0000 Adira 1116714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm on the mini pill while breastfeeding - I think that's what you were prescribed (or something similar) and I haven't noticed it affecting me at all. On it's own, it's actually not that effective, but combined with breastfeeding, it's supposed to be pretty good. I would maybe give it a try and see how it goes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116711 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:28:31 +0000 edelweiss 1116711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i'm on the mini pill as well. hopefully because of the different hormones, you won't have the same reaction! i would also not trust breastfeeding as birth control. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116709 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:28:05 +0000 Mrsbells 1116709@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ZombieBullfrogHoller: i think all OBs ask this questions becuase most people do assume that you can get pregnancy whilst breastfeeding. I got my period whilst breastfeeding whichmeans I could have gotten pregnant, several other people I know have gotten pregnant whilst BF. I dont like hormonal birth control so we stick to condoms for now </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116705 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:26:31 +0000 MamaCate 1116705@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My SIL got pregnant while BFing and is about two gave two babies 16 months apart! I went on the mini pill while I BF and had no problems, but I didn't have problems with the regular pill before either! I don't know if that is helpful or not, but good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116700 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:25:16 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1116700@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have my 6 week appointment on Wednesday, and I'm thinking about this as well.<br /> I charted/used a form of NFP for 2 years while TTC, and my cycles were really unpredictable. Unless your cycles are pretty much the same every month, and you know exactly what signs to look for, I don't know how effective NFP is at preventing pregnancy.<br /> I think I'm going to try the minipill, and combined with breastfeeding, should be enough. I'd love to stay away from hormonal BC altogether...but figure that the minipill is easiest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116693 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:21:56 +0000 Sunshine1810 1116693@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't have personal experience, but a good friend of mine got pregnant 3 months PP using NFP and breastfeeding. She said that breastfeeding really made it difficult. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116682 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:18:17 +0000 lindseykaye 1116682@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I used a form of NFP (Fertility Awareness Method - charting temps and cervical mucous) before LO to prevent pregnancy for 4 years.<br /> I just didn't trust myself with the crazy sleep patterns and the potential for my cycle to change to continue using it between kids. I also had a VERY bad time on all the hormonal options I tried (not just made me fat, or depressed, but I bled for 2 weeks of every month and it never really regulated my cycle as it was 'supposed' to) so I elected for a copper IUD. I've had it for over 6 months now and everything has been great. Some discomfort during insertion and that day, nothing else.<br /> I know not everyone is comfortable with the IUD, but it was a great option for me. Plus now with the Affordable Care Act, it was 100% covered by my insurance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116666 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:14:35 +0000 ShootingStar 1116666@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about condoms? I do know someone that got pregnant using NFP - she was drunk one night and wasn't as careful as she should've been. I think you'd have trouble with NFP too if you're still doing MOTN wakeups. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116657 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:12:10 +0000 Foodnerd81 1116657@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have heard that nfp isn't very effective while breastfeeding, or at least you would have a LOT of abstain days. And I've heard if plenty of people where bfing alone wasn't enough, especially as Lo starts sleeping longer. We are just going to use condones for the time being because I don't want to go back on any pills either. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nfp-amp-breastfeeding#post-1116630 Fri, 27 Sep 2013 11:08:09 +0000 ZombieBullfrogHoller 1116630@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just got back from my postpartum checkup at the OB. Afterwards he asked about my plans for birth control and I admitted to him that I wasn't sure. I lamented about the troubles I've had with hormonal birth control (I've tried several different pills and one made me so nauseous I couldn't keep them down, one made me super anxious, the other super depressed, no sex drive, etc - bah). I've been reading about NFP and asked him about it, but he said it wasn't nearly as effective and should only be used if I don't mind getting pregnant again. Then I mentioned the woman I spoke to at the WIC office when I was looking for a breast pump said that, as long as I meet the requirements, I could use breastfeeding as a form of birth control until LO starts on solids. But he shot that down, too, saying that breastfeeding isn't birth control and he sees lots of women come in pregnant while still breastfeeding because of this notion.</p> <p>I sort of just sat there with a say-it-isn't-so look on my face and was like, "Well, then, what should I do?" </p> <p>So he prescribed me progestin only pills until I'm done breastfeeding then says we can go from there. I'm hesitant to get this script filled - what if it makes me all nutty like the other pills did? </p> <p>I dunno what I'm looking for here - any advice or anecdotes would be welcomed :P </p>