The extent of natural infertility is not the same for all mothers. We have recently completed a study of the relationship between breastfeeding and natural infertility which indicated a range of experience. We took the return of menses as the most readily obvious sign of returning fertility. The group who followed the criteria of natural mothering listed very briefly in the previous blog and described more fully in Breastfeeding and Natural Child Spacing (Sheila Kippley, 1969) averaged 14.6 months before menses returned after childbirth. The vast majority of these mothers experienced their first post-partum period between 9 and 16 months, but one mother had her periods return at only six weeks post-partum. (The next shortest times were 4 and 7 months.) Still, this short-timer had the signal of menses prior to ovulation, and this is important for couples engaged in natural family planning. On the other end, we had mothers who experienced 27 and 30 months without periods while nursing. (First printed in 1971)
(A 30% discount is now offered on all Kippley print books at lulu through August 7 in recognition of NFP week and World Breastfeeding Week. In addition, Sophia is offering a 25% discount on Breastfeeding and Catholic Motherhood through August 7. The code for this discount is “motherhood.”)
John and Sheila Kippley