Relationships between breast-feeding patterns and the risk of pregnancy
Rivera, R.
Network 8(1): 6-7
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0270-3637 PMID: 12268486 Document Number: 352196
29 breast feeding mothers and 8 control postpartum women from a rural area of Durango State, Mexico, participated in a study to identify factors associated with resumption of ovulation. Assisted by midwives, the mothers indicated each feeding on charts, and their ovulatory status was determined by urine tests weekly. Data on return of ovulation and menses were given in percentages. Most women were menstruating within 6 months if not breast feeding, and in this population where supplementar feeding begins early, 2/3, of the nursing women were menstruating in 9-12 months, although fewer were ovulating. It appeared as though at least 10 suckling episodes daily were necessary to prevent ovulation. Breast feeding definitely protected against ovulation and pregnancy since 8 times as many non-beast feeding women became pregnant during the study as did breast feeding mothers.