Woman sat on messy bed breastfeeding a baby
Home/Cycle Matters / Postpartum

Can you get pregnant while breastfeeding?

Cara headshot

Written by Cara Sumner

Cara Sumner

Cara Sumner is an accomplished writer with more than ten years of experience writing on subjects including skincare, sustainability, health, and wellness. Now, she’s dedicating her days to bringing more awareness and education to female reproductive health in her role at Natural Cycles. Cara holds a Master's Degree in Social Anthropology from Stockholm University and Minored in Female Studies/English Literature while getting her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Radford University in the States. On the weekends, you'll find her forest bathing in the woods around Stockholm.

Medically reviewed by Jack Pearson, Medical Affairs Manager at Natural Cycles

Jack Pearson

Dr. Jack Pearson is a previously HCPC registered Embryologist with a PhD in reproductive medicine. Prior to joining Natural Cycles leading Medical Affairs, he worked for more than 10 years in a clinical setting working at some of the busiest fertility clinics in the UK. Today he spends most of his time working with experts at the world’s leading institutions to carry out important research with the vision to further the field of female health. He earned his PhD from the University of Sheffield specializing in Sperm Metabolism and currently lives in London.

Last updated:

6 min read

The simple answer is yes. Even if your period hasn’t returned, you can get pregnant while breastfeeding. But it’s a bit more complicated than that. In this article, we’ll unpack fertility while breastfeeding, the chances of getting pregnant if you’re breastfeeding, and how some people use breastfeeding as a method of birth control.

Did you enjoy reading this article?

Discover Natural Cycles° today

Start my journey
How does it work?

Featured Posts

Period & Bleeding

11 Signs your period is coming

11 min read

Period & Bleeding

What does the color of period blood mean?

9 min read

Sex & Pleasure

Different types of sex & sexual acts: Oral, anal defined

9 min read

Want to learn more about a hormone-free future?

Subscribe to our newsletter for access to our latest articles, exclusive promotions and more.

Keep reading...

Postpartum

Sex after pregnancy: What you need to know

There’s a lot going on in the weeks and months after giving birth while you adjust to your new routine with your newborn and recover from the birth itself. As a result, physical intimacy may be the last thing on your mind. However, it’s important to understand what sex after pregnancy is like, how to prepare for it when you’re ready, and what the risk is of becoming pregnant after giving birth.

8 min read

Postpartum

Postpartum swelling: what is it & how long does it last?

If you’ve recently given birth, your body is going through some major changes – one of which might be swelling, especially in your legs and face. The first thing to know is that postpartum swelling is completely normal – but we know it can still be worrying. So, to put your mind at ease, let’s dive right in: here’s everything you need to know about swelling in the postpartum period.

8 min read

Postpartum

Postpartum hair loss: Causes, treatments and what’s normal

While thicker-looking hair is a plus side for many people’s pregnancy, the period after giving birth can have some downsides, including postpartum hair loss. If you’ve noticed you’re shedding hair more frequently than you did before pregnancy, don’t panic! Postpartum hair loss may be upsetting, but it’s a normal part of the after-birth experience. In this article, we’ll dive deeper into the cause of losing hair after giving birth and how to combat it. Read on to find out more.

10 min read