Contraception during the breastfeeding period | Behavior during lactation

Contraception during the breastfeeding period

Breastfeeding only offers safe protection from conception if a number of criteria are strictly met: If one of the criteria is not met, common contraceptive methods must be used. Condoms, diaphragms (from six weeks after delivery), coils (also possible directly after delivery) and hormonal contraception are suitable. For hormonal contraception, however, only a progestin-only preparation (minipill) can be used, which must always be taken at exactly the same time. A pill containing estrogens is not suitable during the breastfeeding period.

• The child is under six months old and the menstruation (period) has not yet resumed.
• Breastfeeding is exclusively and at least every four hours.

Work during the nursing period

Used correctly, sport during the breastfeeding period is ideal for supporting recovery and getting back into shape. Particularly suitable are regression gymnastics, in which the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor are trained to prevent late complications and ensure optimal regression. However, pelvic floor exercises should never be performed while breastfeeding, as this can lead to tension that can impede the flow of milk.

If you do sports that require a lot of movement, make sure you wear a well supported bra. Visits to thermal baths are also well suited because of their relaxing effect. The nipples can be protected from the chlorinated water with a pure lanolin ointment.

During a sauna session, some milk may leak out. In this case the milk flow can be stopped by applying light pressure on the nipples. Older siblings must learn to share the attention they have previously received undivided with their new siblings.

This often leads to jealousy or even aggression. In order to prevent these from getting out of hand, one should try to give sufficient attention to the older sibling. The father has a particularly important role to play here, as the mother is very busy with the newborn through breastfeeding etc.

Also relatives or other visitors can be asked to welcome the older child before the newborn is admired. Furthermore, never talk about his jealousy in the presence of the child and never force him to caress his little sibling.