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Breastfeeding While Pregnant: Will Your Infant Suffer?

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This morning we were talking about whether or not breastfeeding while pregnant causes miscarriages. The notion that it does is not backed up by any scientific studies at this point. However, based on what we know, it is reasonable to assume that it is perfectly fine to breastfeed while pregnant. Understanding how the uterus works and responds to hormones during various stages of the pregnancy can help us understand the complicated mechanisms of how it’s possible to carry one and nurse the other. The general rule of thumb is that if you’re medically cleared to have sex during pregnancy (which … Continue reading →

Valorie’s Breastfeeding Index

Later today I will post a review of the baby blog of 2007 so why does breastfeeding get its own category? Well, in part as an answer to readers who want to read what I’ve written on breastfeeding. I’ve written so much on breastfeeding at this point that you all have asked for an index of sorts so it’s easier to find what you’re looking for. It’s also in part because I’ve become known as the breastfeeding lady. . .guru. . .whatever you want to call it. I’ve been at this breastfeeding business for a long time and many of … Continue reading →

Hormonal Based Birth Control and Breastfeeding

I have talked before about how breastfeeding is a fairly good birth control mechanism. However, like all birth control, you have to follow “the directions.” In order to keep the prolactin levels high enough to prevent ovulation, you do have to nurse on demand, sleep with the baby near you, and refuse pacifiers and/or sippy cups. Breastfeeding has been shown to be 98% effective in preventing pregnancy when all of the ‘rules’ are followed. However, still women sometimes choose to use birth control to prevent pregnancy. Sometimes it’s that they cannot breastfeed that much–maybe they have to go back to … Continue reading →

The Effectiveness of Breastfeeding as Birth Control

There is a lot of misinformation regarding whether or not you can use breastfeeding as a means of birth control. I have been told numerous times by well-meaning technicians that I am silly for believing that breastfeeding can keep me from getting pregnant. On the other hand, there are lots of women who say that they’ve gotten pregnant while breastfeeding. On the one side, people will tell you that breastfeeding cannot be relied upon as a form of birth control. On the other hand, people will say that any amount of breastfeeding at all will keep you from getting pregnant. … Continue reading →

A New Parent’s Surprising Look at Birth Control

We do so love our children. But many of us find ourselves in a position of wanting to slow down or stop the baby-making. Most of us know the basics about birth control. We know that condoms are effective if used consistently and as long as they do not break. We know that The Pill is very effective but may have side-effects that are not pleasant. We know about abstinence. But what are the other options and how effective are there? Are there any issues for those of us with post-childbirth bodies? Did you know that the withdrawal method is … Continue reading →

Watch Antidepressants and Drug Interactions

Are you taking an antidepressant? Do you worry about how it might interact with other drugs? While Dr. Daniel Carlet, AOL’s mental health expert, says “unfavorable drug interactions with antidepressants are not a huge problem,” you should still know of a few exceptions. Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft, or Lexapro are all antidepressants. If you are taking one of these and suffer from migraines, be careful. These antidepressants and the family of drugs known as Triptans, which are used to treat migraines, both increase serotonin and may cause serotonin syndrome, which has symptoms that range from mild to severe. St. John’s Wort … Continue reading →

The Rules of Natural Child Spacing

We have already discussed that breastfeeding is an effective means of birth control. But just like any other form of birth control, you have to play by the rules in order for it to be effective. Rule #1–Menstrual Cycles If you are one of those women whose menstrual cycle returns right after giving birth, breastfeeding will not work for you as a means of birth control. It is rare that this is the case, but some women just require very, very high levels of prolactin in their blood in order to suppress ovulation. Rule #2–Babies More than 6 months old … Continue reading →