Title: Breast-feeding and fertility: risk of conception based on breast-feeding status in a selected metro Manila urban poor community.

POPLINE Document Number: 077522

Author(s):

Maglaya AS

Source citation:

PHILIPPINE JOURNAL OF NURSING, 1991 Jul-Dec;61(3-4):12.

Abstract:

The study covered 600 completed pregnancies over a 12-month period employing the simplified methodology developed by the WHO/MCH Working Group on Breastfeeding and Fertility. Postpartum lactation amenorrhea among breastfeeding respondents was similar in duration compared with that of all women: 43% were amenorrheic until 5 months postpartum, which declined to 9%-10% by 12 months postpartum. Only 9.6% of those breastfeeding were breastfeeding exclusively, while 90.4% were breastfeeding partially. 93.5% of the respondents breastfed on demand and 74.8% did more than 6 times a day. The Chi-square test indicated a link between amenorrhea and breastfeeding until 7 months postpartum. Breastfeeding alone did not increase the duration of postpartum amenorrhea, but research has indicated that the intensity, duration, and frequency of the suckling are factors that determine the length of postpartum infertility. These data could be used in guidelines for breastfeeding education as part of family planning programs to increase the duration and frequency of exclusive breastfeeding during the first 7 months for infant health protection and the reduction of the risk of pregnancy.

Keywords:

Philippines
Urban Population
Low Income Population
Breastfeeding
Postpartum Amenorrhea
Lactational Amenorrhea Method
Family Planning
Mothers
Asia, Southeastern
Asia
Developing Countries
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Social Class
Socioeconomic Status
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Infant Nutrition
Nutrition
Health
Puerperium
Reproduction
Family Planning, Behavioral Methods
Parents
Family Relationships
Family Characteristics
Family and Household