Mothers who enjoy breastfeeding their new babies may not be aware that nursing slows the return of fertility. While many new parents may be relieved that the chance of another pregnancy is lowered by breastfeeding, others may be torn between continuing the breastfeeding relationship between mom and baby, and conceiving another child. Fortunately, there are some concrete steps mothers can take to hasten the return of fertility while still nursing.
Instructions
Monitor Nursing Habits
1. Record each nursing session in a notebook. Label the top of the page with the date. Each time you nurse your baby, record the length of time. Don't forget to record night sessions as well, since these are a very important factor in return of fertility.
2. After about two or three days of recording all nursing sessions, examine your data. Pay close attention to the average number of nursing sessions per day, as well as the time of day at which they occur.
3. Cut back on the number of nursing sessions per day. If your baby is older than six months and has started solids, try to begin by replacing one afternoon or late morning nursing session with solid foods.
4. After a couple of days with one reduced nursing session, try to take away another. If you do this until your nursing sessions are between four and seven hours apart, your period is much more likely to return, allowing for the next baby to be conceived.
5. Of course, regular intercourse will always increase your chances of conceiving.
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