Is It Possible to Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?

If you recently had a child, you might be wondering if you can get pregnant again while breastfeeding. We turned to medical experts to learn more.

Medically reviewed by Alyssa Dweck, MS, MD, FACOG

If you are a breastfeeding or chestfeeding parent, you will likely wonder at some point about the likelihood that you could get pregnant while you are still nursing. Some folks might want to prevent pregnancy when their babies are little. Others might be seeking to get pregnant once their babies are older, while still breastfeeding.

It's common to have questions about getting pregnant while breastfeeding or body feeding, including what the chances are that you might conceive, whether you can get pregnant before your period returns, and what the most effective forms of birth control are during breastfeeding. You may also be curious about how you will know if you've conceived, and what will happen to your milk supply, should you become pregnant while still in the nursing phase.

We've got three experts on board to answer all your questions about getting pregnant while breastfeeding your little one. Read on for more.

Related: The Benefits of Breastfeeding for Parent and Baby

What Are the Chances of Getting Pregnant While Breastfeeding?

The chances you'll get pregnant while breastfeeding depend on several factors, including how old your baby is, whether or not you are exclusively breastfeeding, and whether your period has returned.

In general, in the early months of breastfeeding, it's unlikely you'll get pregnant. But that doesn't mean it can't happen! People have gotten pregnant as early as 3 weeks postpartum, though that's exceedingly rare.

"Breastfeeding can significantly reduce fertility and make it less likely for someone to get pregnant," explains Anisha Farishta, M.D., an OB-GYN at Memorial Hermann Sugar Land Hospital. Exclusive breastfeeding or chestfeeding (where the baby only consumes breast milk) can suppress ovulation and delay the return of fertility, especially during the first six months postpartum, Dr. Farishta adds.

Indeed, studies have found that when people practice this type of birth control called lactation amenorrhea (LAM), there's only a 2% chance you'll get pregnant. But, as Jill Purdie, M.D., board-certified OB-GYN and medical director at Pediatrix Medical, points out, certain factors have to be met for this to work correctly.

"You must be breastfeeding every 4-6 hours, the baby must be less than 6 months old, and your period cannot have returned yet," Dr. Purdie says. "Once you begin to wean, the baby is over 6 months, or your period returns, the risk of pregnancy increases."

Can You Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding Without Resuming a Period?

The short answer is yes, you can get pregnant while breastfeeding even if you haven't resumed a period. Usually people who are breastfeeding or body feeding exclusively don't see their period for a while, and they may assume that means they aren't fertile. This is usually the case, and it's why getting pregnant during breastfeeding when your baby is little is unlikely. But that doesn't mean it can't happen.

This is because you need to ovulate to conceive, and ovulation can happen before your period returns after pregnancy. Ovulation usually occurs two weeks before your period arrives.

How Will I Know if I'm Pregnant While Breastfeeding?

There are some signs of pregnancy to look out for while breastfeeding or chestfeeding, but unlike before, changes in your menstrual cycle likely won't be one of them. Because most people don't have a period in the early months of breastfeeding—or end up having irregular periods for a while once they do return—it can be difficult tell if you're pregnant, says Dr. Purdie.

"To know you're pregnant, you would have to rely on other signs of early pregnancy," she says. "These would include increased breast pain/tenderness, increased fatigue, and/or nausea and vomiting."

Detecting pregnancy while breastfeeding will differ from one parent to another, points out Kristin Mallon, C.N.M., R.N., certified nurse-midwife and co-founder and CEO at FemGevity. "Some women are sensitive and will have symptoms very early, but very often the only way to know you are pregnant is to take a pregnancy test," she says.

Related: How I (Gently) Weaned My Breastfeeding Toddler

What Happens to Your Milk If You Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?

You may have heard that your milk supply will decrease if you end up being pregnant and then continue nursing. The truth is that while this often happens, it doesn't happen for everyone.

"For some people, nothing happens, but for others, there can be more changes," says Mallon. "The hormones from pregnancy can alter the quantity of breastmilk and some people do experience a decrease." Pregnancy can also affect the taste of your milk, Mallon adds, but this is usually only seen when you are breastfeeding an older baby or toddler, who may react more distinctly to the taste.

Even if you notice a drop in milk supply, you will still produce colostrum sometime in the middle of pregnancy, and your baby may notice a small bump in supply at that time. You can also be sure that you will have colostrum for your new baby once they're born.

"After the birth of the new baby, the first milk produced, called colostrum, will be thick and nutrient-rich," says Dr. Farishta. "Your milk supply will begin to increase as your hormone levels change to support breastfeeding in the postpartum period."

How to Prevent Pregnancy While Breastfeeding

If you are looking to ensure that you don't get pregnant while breastfeeding or chestfeeding, there are a few safe methods of birth control to try, says Dr. Farishta. These include barrier methods (like condoms or diaphragms) and certain hormonal methods, such as progesterone IUDs and progesterone-only birth control pills. Note that experts suggest steering clear of estrogen-based methods during this time, but non-hormonal copper IUDs are an option as well.

If you are concerned about how hormonal birth control might affect your milk supply, it's best to stick with progesterone-only options. "During breastfeeding, we avoid estrogen-containing contraceptives such as combined oral contraceptives or the vaginal ring as those may reduce milk supply," explains Dr. Farishta. "It is best to discuss options with your doctor to help you choose a method that is safe and effective for you and your baby."

If you have further questions about contraception during nursing or otherwise, be sure to reach out to an OB-GYN or health care provider.

What If You Want To Get Pregnant While Breastfeeding?

While many people aren't looking to get pregnant when their babies are only a few months old, some parents may want to conceive their next child sooner rather than later. If breastfeeding or chestfeeding is keeping their fertility at bay, this can be frustrating.

"It is difficult to become pregnant while breastfeeding if your period has not returned," says Dr. Purdie. "Some people may have to make a decision to reduce or stop breastfeeding in order to allow ovulation to resume, so that they can conceive their next pregnancy."

Of course, nursing isn't the only possible reason you may be having trouble conceiving. Reduced fertility from aging, thyroid conditions, and medical conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome, all can make it more challenging to conceive, whether you're breastfeeding or not, notes Dr. Farishta.

If you've been trying to conceive while breastfeeding or chestfeeding and it has not been successful, or if you have any lingering questions about contraception, nursing, and pregnancy, be sure to chat with an OB-GYN or health care provider to decide what's right for you.

Related: Could a Hormonal Imbalance Be Affecting Your Fertility?

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