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Breast Feeding and Menstruation: The
Connection and Meaning
Breast Feeding and Menstruation have a definite connection.
Mother Nature wanted to ensure that the baby and the mother
have sufficient time to stabilize and recover their health
before another baby arrives. This is an in-built protection
program that Nature offers every species of living things – not
just human beings.
Breast Feeding and Menstruation – The Connection
Menstruation is indeed regulated by breastfeeding. Women who
indulge in extended breastfeeding have reported in some cases
having their period once in three months or not at all. There
is a direct connection between lactation and ovulation – there
is absolutely no doubt about that. Regular lactation for the
first four months – until the baby has its first outside feed –
totally disrupts the menstruation.
Why Breast Feeding and Menstruation Correlation Is
Important?
The disruption of the menstruating cycle implies that there is
no ovulation taking place in the body. Hence, it is not
possible for the breastfeeding woman to become pregnant. The
continuous breastfeeding (this means that the baby has breast
milk every 2-4 hours) inhibits the hormones which induce
ovulation. This is why for the first 3-4 months the mother does
not need any extra contraceptive other than continuous
breastfeeding.
The moment the baby starts on weaning foods and the breast
feeding becomes less frequent, the contraceptive effect is no
more there. This is when the doctor usually advises to adopt
some contraceptive method, if you want to prevent unwanted
pregnancy. The fertility of the woman can be accurately judged
by the commencement of the menstruation circle. The moment a
woman experiences any type of bleeding, it means that her body
is ovulating and hence, she can get pregnant.
The breast feeding and menstruation correlation is very helpful
for mothers. As long as they breastfeed their babies, they will
be free of the worry of the possibility of becoming pregnant
again. Mother Nature has made this connection in order to
protect the new infant and give sufficient time to the mother
to recover from childbirth and related health demands.
Not only that, the breast feeding and menstruation relationship
offers the mother a natural way to space her children. This is
one of the most efficient natural contraceptive methods known
to humans. The only pre-requisite is that the breastfeeding
should be fulltime with absolutely no omissions. Also, note
that the limit of the immunity is about six months.
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