The baby must be less than 6 months old.
The mother must be exclusively breastfeeding, meaning the baby receives no other food or drink, not even water, and breastfeeding occurs at least every four hours during the day and every six hours at night.
The mother must not have experienced the return of her menstrual periods since giving birth.
What is the Efficacy of LAM?
When all three criteria are strictly followed, LAM is over 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. This is comparable to many other forms of
contraception. However, the effectiveness can drop significantly if any of the criteria are not met.
It is a natural and non-hormonal method of contraception.
It encourages and supports exclusive breastfeeding, which has numerous health benefits for both the mother and the baby.
It is cost-effective and does not require any medical intervention or prescription.
Strict adherence to the criteria is essential for effectiveness.
It is only effective for up to six months post-partum.
It does not protect against
sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
It may not be suitable for all women, particularly those who cannot or choose not to exclusively breastfeed.
Her menstrual periods return.
She stops exclusively breastfeeding or introduces supplemental feeding.
Her baby reaches six months of age.
Conclusion
The Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) is an effective, natural form of contraception when used correctly. It not only helps in family planning but also promotes the health benefits of exclusive breastfeeding. However, it requires strict adherence to specific criteria and is only a temporary method, effective for up to six months post-partum.
