Lactational Amenorrhoea Method (LAM)

For women who are fully breastfeeding, LAM is a reliable method of contraception in the first six months after birth.

For LAM to be effective, all the following conditions must exist:

• the mother is fully breastfeeding; i.e. the baby is not receiving any other food supplements (solids or bottles);
• the baby is less than six months old; and
• periods have not returned.

If all of these conditions are met, breastfeeding provides a high level of protection from pregnancy. If not, the woman should consider herself potentially fertile and use another method of contraception.

Go to FPQ's  Sexuality and Childbirth fact sheet

Disclaimer

Family Planning Queensland (FPQ) has taken every care to ensure that the information contained in this publication is accurate and up-to-date at the time of being published. As information and knowledge is constantly changing, readers are strongly advised to confirm that the information complies with present research, legislation and policy guidelines. FPQ accepts no responsibility for difficulties that may arise as a result of an individual acting on the advice and recommendations it contains.