Information & Knowledge for Optimal Health (INFO) Project, Johns Hopkins University - When Can a Woman Use LAM?, Lactational Amenorrhea Method, Chapter 19, Family Planning: A Global Handbook for Providers, Johns Hopkins INFO Project

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When Can a Woman Use LAM?

A breastfeeding woman can use LAM to space her next birth and as a transition to another contraceptive method. She may start LAM at any time if she meets all 3 criteria required for using the method.

Ask the mother these 3 questions:

Question 1: Has your monthly bleeding returned?
Question 2: Are you regularly giving the baby other food besides breastmilk or allowing long periods without breadfeeding, either day or night?;
Question 3: Is your baby more than 6 months old?

If the answer to all of these questions is no...

...she can use LAM. There is only a 2% chance of pregnancy at this time. A woman may choose another family planning method at any time—but preferably not a method with estrogen while her baby is less than 6 months old. Methods with estrogen include combined oral contraceptives, monthly injectables, the combined patch, and the combined vaginal ring.

But, when the answer to any one of these questions is yes...

...her chances of pregnancy increase. Advise her to begin using another family planning method and to continue breastfeeding for the child's health.

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