Wellmama

Breastfeeding is a natural form of birth control, as it suppresses the hormones needed to return your menstrual cycle and hence your fertility. This is called the Lactational Amenorrhea Method, or LAM. This method is the most conducive form of birth control for many breastfeeding families. If followed correctly it is 98-99.5% effective. To safely practice LAM you must meet the following criteria: Your baby is under 6 months of age. You are exclusively breastfeeding on cue day AND night, and baby is getting no supplementation or solid foods. Your menstrual cycles have not returned. You can further increase the protectiveness of this method by keeping your baby close (baby-wearing, co-sleeping and bedsharing for naps and nights), nursing for comfort, and using no bottles or pacifiers. You are likely to experience a further delay in the return of your cycle if you offer breastmilk before solid foods to older babies, introduce solids slowly, and continue to prioritize breastfeedi...

What sleep arrangements work for your family? Do you have firm beliefs or are you in need of more information? Many parents find themselves in a crisis of conflicting advice from friends and family members and healthcare professionals. The sleep training industry profits from these parents, offering a one-size-fits-all approach that promises to restore your much-needed Zzz’s. But what happens to the families that these programs don’t work for? Do the parents feel like they are failing? And what happens to the babies? There is a wealth of evidence-based information that shows that babies need to be responded to at night just as they do during the day. Responsive night parenting does not have to equal less sleep and carries with it the added benefit of protecting a breastfeeding mother’s milk supply and bond with her baby. “Waking is a normal part of infant sleep, and varies based on several infant factors: (a) feeding method (breast or bottle), (b) age, (c) shifts in developmental l...