L5.2.4.1.1.4: Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM)

• Lactation

  ❖ A biological, hormonal response that happens during and after a pregnancy to feed a newborn baby.

  ❖ Within lactation, the body produces specific hormones to initiate milk production. (Prolactin and Oxytocin)
• Amenorrhea

  ❖ The absence of menstruation

  ❖ While there are other causes of amenorrhea, the act of breastfeeding also causes it due to increased levels of the hormone prolactin which suppress the luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
• Lactational Amenorrhea Method

  ❖ The use of exclusive breastfeeding as a temporary family planning method.

  ● ONLY EXCLUSIVE BREASTFEEDING - Giving no other food or drink, not even water, except breastmilk.

  ❖ Primarily works by preventing ovulation.
• HOW TO USE THE LAM METHOD?

  It can be immediately started after birth up to 6 months after childbirth. Breastfeeding can be done immediately (within 1 hour) or as soon as possible after the baby is born.
• A woman CAN use the LAM method if:

  1. The monthly menstruation has not returned
  2. The baby is fully or nearly fully breastfeed and often day and night

  ● Fully Breastfed or Nearly Fully Breastfed - Breastfeeding should go no more than 4 hours in between during the day and go no more than 6 hours between feedings at night.

  3. The baby is less than 6 months old
• A woman CAN’T use the LAM method if:

  1. She started to menstruate
  2. Bottle feeding or supplemental feeding in between breast feedings has been started
  3. The child is already more than 6 months old
• EFFECTIVENESS OF THE LAM METHOD:

  About 2 per 100 women in the first 6 months after childbirth become pregnant. If used correctly, about 1 out of 100 women who use the method in the first 6 months after childbirth become pregnant.