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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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