bonding perspective. 3. Breastfeeding burns calories, thereby helping the mother to return to her original weight. 4. It can be discontinued at any time, without the intervention of a health professional. 5. When used properly it is as effective as using a barrier method of contraception.(e.g. condoms, diaphragm etc.)h Disadvantages1. It is not an effective method of contraception after the return of menstruation, or six months post-partum. 2. The mother must be willing to breastfeed her baby every time that he/she is hungry to ensure that fertility is suppressed. 3. LAM does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. 4. Breastfeeding can produce vaginal dryness. 5. Some women may develop soreness or infections in their nipples or breasts.Conclusion Numerous studies have shown thta breastfeeding extends the length of the post-partum anovulatory interval over that experienced by bottle feeding mothers. Some of these studies showed that the length of the anovulatory interval experienced depends on the style of breastfeeding that the mother practices. Supplementation and scheduling of breastfeeding, as well as episodes of mother/baby separation, all increase the mother's chances of ovulating after childbirth. The reproductive system is placed under inhibitory control, either by suckling acting directly at the hypothalamic level to suppress the HPO-axis, or through prolactin and its multiple levels of influence on the HPO-axis. LAM can be a useful way to time the commencement of a second, less temporary contraceptive method. This was confirmed by a conference on lactational infertility (Bellagio, Italy, 1988) which stated: "...Post-partum women should be offered a choice of using breastfeeding as a means of family planning, either to help achieve optimal birth spacing, or as a way of delaying the introduction of other contraceptives..." The results from the multi-ce...
