Dose the lactation without being pregnant effect the ability to have a baby?

tish_part deux

i'm *assuming* you are asking about breastfeeding and fertility.

although there is SOME suspension of fertility while breastfeeding, it should never be used a birth contol. many women (myself included) became pregnant while breastfeeding.

ETA: why are you asking the same question over and over again? are you trying to adopt? are you lactating naturally? are you taking hormones to nurse an adopted child? are you nursing a child that you gave birth to and want to get pregnant? are you nursing a child that you gave birth to and are trying to PREVENT pregnancy?

there's only so many different ways to ask the same question, especially when each is just as vague as the previous.

clarify your question; and perhaps you'll get better answers.

if however, you are lactating with drugs and hormones to nurse an adopted child...see independant's answer.

cantstopLinnyG

huh? Do you mean does not being pregnant affect the ability to nurse a baby?
If that is what you meant, the answer is no. Kinda.
Some adoptive mothers nurse their adopted children, it cannot be used just for nutrition. They can never produce enough milk. They can nurse as a supplement.
Some women use artificial hormones to induce lactation.
I think it's just plain wrong to nurse an adoptive child. Introducing artificial hormones to a baby, to me, is wrong.
While I feel the intentions are good, to me, it just smacks of trying to pretend even more they are the baby's natural mother.

kateiskate

Why is this question in the adoption section? Are you refering to the hormones that adoptive moms sometimes take in order to create lactation so that they are able to breastfeed their babies? If you are, I would say that anytime you add hormones to your body you're running the risk of messing with your body chemistry to the point where you can create infertility. There is always that chance.

If you are not refering to adoptive mothers lactating in order to breastfeed their adopted kids, I would strongly suggest someone who is lactating (but not pregnant) seek medical help as soon as possible.

chickenfarmer

No, many women become pregnant while nursing although the first few months of lactation act as a birth control for many.....

HouseMom

UNless your lactation is being caused by a hormonal/endocrine problem, I would doubt that it would affect your ability to have children on your own in the future. I assume you're asking this because you want to breastfeed an adopted child? and are wondering if it can affect your fertility.

If you do manage to successfully lactate, though, it might (not sure, however) cause your periods to stop like it would in a woman who has had a child, which could make it harder to detect ovulation. BUT you can still ovulate and not have a period.

The second link might be more helpful than the first (which is about the endocrine disorder that produces breastmilk while not pregnant)

psycaustic@rocketmail.com

No. See above.

some girl

umm, if you're not pregnant and you think you're lactating, you should see a doctor. You might have some kind of infection.

cla ro

no. see below

Crazy Horse

I had a child 21 years ago. I started lactating when she got pregnant. It has no bearing, nor does breast feeding used as birth control.

If your leaking and never had a child, see your doctor soon.

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