Natural Family Planning International

Many people are not aware of the natural birth spacing of ecological breastfeeding.  What most people believe is that breastfeeding does not space babies.  These blogs during World Breastfeeding Week were posted to show that breastfeeding does space babies.  Research also supports this fact which is available at the NFP International website.

What exactly is ecological breastfeeding?  It is that form of nursing in which the mother fulfills her baby’s needs for frequent and unrestricted suckling and her full-time presence and in which the child’s frequent and unrestricted suckling postpones the return of the mother’s fertility.  The Seven Standards of ecological breastfeeding are maternal behaviors which are associated with an extended length of amenorrhea or natural infertility.

Those interested in this subject are encouraged to read The Seven Standards of Ecological Breastfeeding: The Frequency Factor. ..available in print or as an e-book.

Sheila Kippley

“”My third child had always been a difficult nurser.  I nursed him anytime he wanted.  At 16 months we rid him of his pacifier and nursing became a joy.  From personal experience of nursing both culturally and ecologically, the difference is night and day for both baby and me.  Ecological breastfeeding definitely made me feel closer to my baby.”

“First I want to thank you for the positive effect you’ve had on my mothering skills.  I nursed my first baby for 4 and 1/2 months and then quit because of the inconvenience.  I nursed my second baby for 22 months because it was so convenient.  The only thing that changed was my attitude and finding a supportive group of friends.”

For those mothers wanting support for ecological breastfeeding, visit www.catholicbreastfeeding.org.

“Breastfeeding has a very definite effect on child spacing.  With my bottle-fed children I conceived again at 8 months after childbirth despite other contraceptives.  It has been 15 months since the last baby was born.  No period yet.”

“My son nurses on and off during the nights.  He is 22 months old and I have not had a period yet.”